SpringerLink
Log in

Association of difficulties in motor skills with longitudinal changes in social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: findings from the ELENA French Cohort

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Developmental coordination disorder is a frequently co-occurring condition with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several cross-sectional studies have reported that children with difficulties in motor skills have a higher severity of ASD symptoms. This study aims to examine the association of difficulties in motor skills with longitudinal changes in social skills in children with ASD. Participants were drawn from the ELENA cohort, a French longitudinal cohort of children with ASD. Motor skills were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children at baseline, while social skills were measured using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS-II) at both the baseline and a follow-up assessment conducted 3 years later. A composite score of social skills was created at baseline and at both time points. Linear regression models were performed to assess the association between difficulties in motor skills and changes in social skills, considering potential confounders such as IQ, age, and gender. The sample included 162 children with ASD. Children with difficulties in global motor skills (N = 114) showed less favorable trajectories in social skills compared to those without motor difficulties. The results were consistent when examining the ADOS-2 and the VABS-II separately. This study provides evidence for the negative impact of difficulties in motor skills on the longitudinal development of social skills in children with ASD. Interventions targeting motor difficulties may have broader benefits, extending beyond motor function to improve socialization.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, DSM-5 Task Force (2013) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. American Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. CDC (2023) Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder| CDC. In: Cent. Dis. Control Prev. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html. Accessed 26 Feb 2023

  3. Delobel-Ayoub M, Klapouszczak D, Tronc C, et al (2020) La prévalence des TSA continue de croître en France : données récentes des registres des handicaps de l’enfant. Bull Epidémiologique Hebd, pp 128–135

  4. Russell G, Stapley S, Newlove-Delgado T et al (2022) Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population-based cohort study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 63:674–682. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13505

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Zablotsky B, Black LI, Maenner MJ et al (2019) Prevalence and trends of developmental disabilities among children in the United States: 2009–2017. Pediatrics 144:e20190811. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-0811

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Bhat AN (2020) Is motor impairment in autism spectrum disorder distinct from developmental coordination disorder? A Report From the SPARK Study. Phys Ther 100:633–644. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzz190

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Ketcheson LR, Pitchford EA, Wentz CF (2021) The relationship between developmental coordination disorder and concurrent deficits in social communication and repetitive behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 14:804–816. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2469

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Green D, Charman T, Pickles A et al (2009) Impairment in movement skills of children with autistic spectrum disorders. Dev Med Child Neurol 51:311–316. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2008.03242.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Liu T, Breslin CM (2013) Fine and gross motor performance of the MABC-2 by children with autism spectrum disorder and typically develo** children. Res Autism Spectr Disord 7:1244–1249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. MacDonald M, Lord C, Ulrich DA (2014) Motor skills and calibrated autism severity in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapt Phys Act Q APAQ 31:95–105. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2013-0068

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. MacDonald M, Lord C, Ulrich DA (2013) The relationship of motor skills and social communicative skills in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapt Phys Act Q APAQ 30:271–282. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.30.3.271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Gotham K, Pickles A, Lord C (2012) Trajectories of autism severity in children using standardized ADOS scores. Pediatrics 130:e1278–e1284. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-3668

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Mullen EM (1995) Mullen scales of early learning

  14. Ulrich D (2000) Test of gross motor development-2

  15. Henderson SE, Sugden DA (1992) Movement assessment battery for children

  16. Sparrow SS, Balla DA, Cicchetti DV (1984) Vineland adaptive behavior scales: interview edition, survey form manual. American Guidance Service, Circle Pines

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sutera S, Pandey J, Esser EL et al (2007) Predictors of optimal outcome in toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 37:98–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0340-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Leonard HC, Hill EL (2014) Review: The impact of motor development on typical and atypical social cognition and language: a systematic review. Child Adolesc Ment Health 19:163–170. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12055

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bremer E, Lloyd M (2016) School-based fundamental-motor-skill intervention for children with autism-like characteristics: an exploratory study. Adapt Phys Act Q APAQ 33:66–88. https://doi.org/10.1123/APAQ.2015-0009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Bremer E, Balogh R, Lloyd M (2015) Effectiveness of a fundamental motor skill intervention for 4-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study. Autism Int J Res Pract 19:980–991. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361314557548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Baghdadli A, Miot S, Rattaz C et al (2019) Investigating the natural history and prognostic factors of ASD in children: the multicEntric Longitudinal study of children with ASD—the ELENA study protocol. BMJ Open 9:e026286. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026286

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Lord C, Luyster R, Gotham K, Guthrie W (2012) Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) Manual (Part II). Toddler Module

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rutter M, LeCouteur A, Lord C (2013) (ADI®-R) Autism Diagnostic Interview–Revised. https://www.wpspublish.com/adi-r-autism-diagnostic-interviewrevised.html. Accessed 18 Jul 2023

  24. Wechsler D (2014) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children | Fifth Edition. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Gifted-%26-Talented/Wechsler-Intelligence-Scale-for-Children-%7C-Fifth-Edition-/p/100000771.html. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  25. Wechsler D (2008) Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children | Fourth Edition. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Wechsler-Intelligence-Scale-for-Children-%7C-Fourth-Edition/p/100000310.html. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  26. Wechsler D (2012) Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence | Fourth Edition. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Gifted-%26-Talented/Wechsler-Preschool-and-Primary-Scale-of-Intelligence-%7C-Fourth-Edition/p/100000102.html. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  27. Kaufman AS, Kaufman NL (2004) Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children | Second Edition Normative Update. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Gifted-%26-Talented/Kaufman-Assessment-Battery-for-Children-%7C-Second-Edition-Normative-Update/p/100000088.html. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  28. Henderson SE, Sugden DA, Barnett AL (2007) Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2: Movement ABC-2: Examiner’s Manual

  29. Blank R, Barnett AL, Cairney J et al (2019) International clinical practice recommendations on the definition, diagnosis, assessment, intervention, and psychosocial aspects of developmental coordination disorder. Dev Med Child Neurol 61:242–285. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14132

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. Blank R, Smits-Engelsman B, Polatajko H et al (2012) European Academy for Childhood Disability (EACD): recommendations on the definition, diagnosis and intervention of developmental coordination disorder (long version). Dev Med Child Neurol 54:54–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04171.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Sparrow SS (2011) Vineland adaptive behavior scales. In: Kreutzer JS, DeLuca J, Caplan B (eds) Encyclopedia of clinical neuropsychology. Springer New York, New York, pp 2618–2621

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  32. Brunet O, Lézine I, Josse D (1997) Echelle de développement psychomoteur de la première enfance: E.A.P.(Etablissements d’Applications Psychotechniques), Issy-les-Moulineaux(75), France

  33. Adrien J-L (2008) Batterie d’évaluation cognitive et socio-émotionnelle BECS: Pratiques psychologigues et recherches cliniques d’enfants atteints de TED, 1er édition. DE BOECK SUP, Bruxelles

    Google Scholar 

  34. (2023) PEP-3 : Profil psycho-éducatif. In: Boeck Supér. https://www.deboecksuperieur.com/ouvrage/9782807330399-pep-3-profil-psycho-educatif. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  35. Wechsler D (2013) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale | Fourth Edition. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Cognition-%26-Neuro/Wechsler-Adult-Intelligence-Scale-%7C-Fourth-Edition/p/100000392.html. Accessed 4 Jun 2023

  36. Howlin P, Savage S, Moss P et al (2014) Cognitive and language skills in adults with autism: a 40-year follow-up. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 55:49–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12115

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We warmly thank the contributing families, the ELENA study group, and the ELENA cohort staff. We also express gratitude to the CNSA and DGOS for funding this research.

Funding

This research received support from the French Health Ministry (DGOS) PHRCN 2013; Grant number 1: 13–0232 and Caisse Nationale de Solidarité pour l’Autonomie (CNSA) Grant number 2: 030319. The CHU of Montpellier (AOI) provided additional support. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre de Ressource Autisme Languedoc-Roussillon et Centre d’Excellence Sur l’Autisme et les Troubles du Neurodéveloppement (CeAND), CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France

    Hugo Peyre, Marianne Peries, Emmanuel Madieu, Aurore David, Marie-Christine Picot & Amaria Baghdadli

  2. Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, CESP, Team DevPsy, 94807, Villejuif, France

    Hugo Peyre, Marianne Peries, Emmanuel Madieu, Aurore David, Marie-Christine Picot & Amaria Baghdadli

  3. Clinical Research and Epidemiology Unit, Department of Medical Information, University Hospital, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France

    Marie-Christine Picot

  4. Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King’s College London, London, UK

    Andrew Pickles

  5. Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France

    Amaria Baghdadli

Authors
  1. Hugo Peyre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marianne Peries
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Emmanuel Madieu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Aurore David
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marie-Christine Picot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Andrew Pickles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Amaria Baghdadli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

AB is the principal investigator of ELENA cohort. HP, MP, EM, M-CP & AB contributed to the study conception and design. MP & HP performed the analysis. The first draft of the manuscript was written by HP and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hugo Peyre.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The ELENA cohort study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Research of Human Subjects at Marseille Mediterranean and the National Commission for Computing and Liberties (CNIL. number DR-2015-393).

Consent to participate

Signed informed consent is obtained from all participating families included in the ELENA cohort.

Clinical trial registration

NCT02625116.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (PDF 104 kb)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Peyre, H., Peries, M., Madieu, E. et al. Association of difficulties in motor skills with longitudinal changes in social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: findings from the ELENA French Cohort. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02324-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02324-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation