Use of standardized motor assessments in children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Background: To summarize and appraise the existing literature on the use of standardized motor assessments in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with a special focus on the trends for administering and reporting standardized results in this population. Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted for studies published from 2000 to 2023 on the motor skills of children with ASD using standardized motor assessments, followed by screening and data extraction. Results: A total of 22 studies were included in the review. With respect to the administration of standardized tests, six studies did not report on accommodations, five studies indicated no use of accommodations, and 11 studies used a variety of accommodations (visuals, repeated demonstrations, etc.). Large effect sizes obtained from 18 out of the total 22 studies indicated poor overall, gross, and fine motor skills of children with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) peers. With respect to prevalence, only eight studies reported on the prevalence of motor impairments in the ASD sample with values ranging from 16% to 88% of ASD sample. Similarly, only eight studies reported on specific motor domains/subtests impaired in children with ASD such as balance, ball skills, manual dexterity, and strength. Conclusions: Although there is significant evidence for the presence of motor deficits in children with ASD, there is still uncertainty related to the prevalence, nature, and specificity of motor deficits, largely attributed to the variability in the study samples and designs.