ArticlePloS one2023
From "one big clumsy mess" to "a fundamental part of my character." Autistic adults' experiences of motor coordination.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 22 citations in OpenAlex.
- Execution, imitation and observation of naturalistic actions in autistic children and adolescents: a systematic review of fMRI studies.Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2026Pooled it
- Motor imagery in autism: a systematic review.Frontiers in integrative neuroscience · 2024Pooled it
- Valid when valued: A community-engaged framework and toolkit to improve identification of autistic people's motor difficulties in research and practice.Autism in adulthood · 2026Article
- Motor Performance in Autistic Youth From Childhood Through Adolescence: Evidence for Both Sustained and Widening Group Differences.Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research · 2026Article
- A symphony of functioning: exploring the interplay of cognition, movement, and visual demands in adolescents on the autism spectrum using mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI).Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders · 2026Article
- Barriers to and facilitation of long-term physical exercise participation among Chinese adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a parental perspective.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- A symphony of functioning: Assessing the interplay of cognition, movement, and visual processing in adolescents on the autism spectrum using mobile brain-body imaging (MoBI).Research square · 2025Article
- Examining Transdiagnostic Patterns of Motor Differences: Preliminary Findings From the Consortium for Motor Behavior in Neurodivergence (COMBINE).Journal of autism and developmental disorders · 2025Article
- Visual feedback and motor memory contributions to sustained motor control deficits in autism spectrum disorder across childhood and into adulthood.Journal of neurodevelopmental disorders · 2025Article
- Speed-accuracy trade-offs in action perception, motor imagery, and execution of hand movements in autistic and non-autistic adults.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Unique models of embodied cognition and eco-social niches proposed to validate hypothesis of social attunement and mis-attunement with a focus on autism.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Article
- Article
- Sensory-movement underpinnings of lifelong neurodivergence: getting a grip on autism.Frontiers in integrative neuroscience · 2025Article
- Rethinking body representations in autism across cultures.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Article
- Innovative Digital Phenotyping Method to Assess Body Representations in Autistic Adults: A Perspective on Multisensor Evaluation.Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Functional upper-extremity movements in autism: A narrative literature review.Research in autism spectrum disorders · 2024Article
- Identity and Discourse Among #ActuallyAutistic Twitter Users With Motor Differences.Journal of motor learning and development · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Altered motor coordination is common in autistic individuals affecting a range of movements such as manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, balance and gait. However, motor coordination is not routinely assessed leading to undiagnosed and untreated motor coordination difficulties, particularly in adults. Few studies have investigated motor coordination difficulties and their impact from the viewpoint of autistic people. Therefore, the current study used FGs and thematic analysis to document the experience of motor coordination difficulties from the viewpoint of 17 autistic adults. Four main themes were identified. First, motor coordination difficulties were pervasive and variable, being present life-long and within multiple movements and affecting many aspects of life. Furthermore, the nature of the difficulties was variable within and between participants along with differing awareness of coordination ability. Second, participants described motor coordination as an active process, requiring concentration for most actions and at a level seemingly greater than other people. Third, motor coordination difficulties impacted upon social and emotional wellbeing by placing strain on relationships, prompting bullying and exclusion, putting safety at risk and causing a range of negative emotions. Fourth, in the absence of any support, participants described multiple learning and coping strategies. Findings highlight how it is essential to address the current lack of support for motor coordination considering the significant social and emotional consequences described by our participants. Further investigation of motor learning and interactions between sensory and motor performance in autistic adults is also warranted.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.