PREVALENCE AND PREDICTORS OF PHYSICAL DISABILITY IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background. Although motor impairments are also a widely acknowledged but underestimated characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is mainly defined by a lack of social communication and repetitive behaviors. This research paper investigated the occurrence of physical disabilities amongst ASD Pakistani children with ASD and found the major predictors of motor coordination challenges.

Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed on 323 children aged 5-15 years (73.4% male) who were diagnosed with ASD in special education schools and rehabilitation centers in Pakistan. The parent-reported Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-2007) was used to assess physical disability; it measures three motor domains, namely fine motor skills, control during movement, and overall coordination. The data were examined with the help of chi-square tests, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, and CHAID decision tree modeling with SPSS version 27.0.

Findings. The vast majority of respondents were at risk of probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Means scores showed impairments in all areas: control during movement, fine motor control, and general coordination. Age was the only other notable predictor of the general motor impairment, and it was found in all the children at the age of 8.0-9.11 years. There was a great age difference during control during movement, with older children performing better. There was no significant relationship between gender and DCD classification, with females having slightly higher fine motor skills.

Conclusion. This Pakistani sample of children with ASD nearly all experience physical disabilities, and patterns in age indicate developmental trends unlike those of typically developing children. Such results highlight the urgent importance of regular motor examinations as one of the components of the overall ASD diagnosis and early inclusion of physiotherapy and occupational therapy into the intervention strategies.