COMPARISON OF ASPERGER SYNDROME AND HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISTIC-CHILDREN ON A TEST OF MOTOR IMPAIRMENT

Compared the motor impairment levels of Asperger syndrome and high functioning autistic children using a standardized test, the Test of Motor Impairment-Henderson Revision. The two groups did not differ on either total or subscale impairment scores. Intelligence level was negatively correlated with motor impairment although the relationship was mostly accounted for by the Asperger children. There was considerable variability within both clinical groups but 50% of Asperger children and 67% of autistic children showed a clinically significant level of motor impairment. Results offer no support for clumsiness as a diagnostically differentiating feature of these disorders.