Abstract.
Several studies have described problems in motor functions in children with autism and children with a specific speech and language disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify neuromotor deficits in these neurodevelopmentally impaired children. A standardised neurological examination was performed in 11 children with childhood autism, 11 children with an expressive language disorder, 11 children with a receptive language disorder and 11 control children. The children were matched for age and non-verbal IQ, not for gender. All children had a non-verbal IQ above 85. The neurological examination procedure allowed for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of five specific neurological subsystems: fine and gross motor functions, balance, coordination and oral motor functions. The high-functioning children with autism and the children with a specific language disorder (expressive or receptive) had more motor problems than the control children on most neurological subsystems. There were few statistically significant differences between the three groups of developmentally impaired children. The frequent co-occurrence of verbal and non-verbal, in particular neuromotor, deficits in developmentally impaired children put an additional burden on the development of these children and should be diagnosed as early as possible.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Accepted: 8 May 2002
The research was funded by grant AM 63/4–2 of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Correspondence to Dr. M. Noterdaeme
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Noterdaeme, M., Mildenberger, K., Minow, F. et al. Evaluation of neuromotor deficits in children with autism and children with a specific speech and language disorder. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 11, 219–225 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-002-0285-z
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-002-0285-z