Full text

Turn on search term navigation

Copyright © 2016 Inmaculada Riquelme et al. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often display an abnormal reactivity to tactile stimuli, altered pain perception, and lower motor skills than healthy children. Nevertheless, these motor and sensory deficits have been mostly assessed by using clinical observation and self-report questionnaires. The present study aims to explore somatosensory and motor function in children with ASD by using standardized and objective testing procedures. Methods. Tactile and pressure pain thresholds in hands and lips, stereognosis, proprioception, and fine motor performance of the upper limbs were assessed in high-functioning children with ASD ( n = 27 ) and compared with typically developing peers ( n = 30 ) .  Results. Children with ASD showed increased pain sensitivity, increased touch sensitivity in C-tactile afferents innervated areas, and diminished fine motor performance and proprioception compared to healthy children. No group differences were observed for stereognosis. Conclusion. Increased pain sensitivity and increased touch sensitivity in areas classically related to affective touch (C-tactile afferents innervated areas) may explain typical avoiding behaviors associated with hypersensitivity. Both sensory and motor impairments should be assessed and treated in children with ASD.

Details

Title
Abnormal Pressure Pain, Touch Sensitivity, Proprioception, and Manual Dexterity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author
Riquelme, Inmaculada 1 ; Hatem, Samar M 2 ; Montoya, Pedro 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS-IdISPa), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain 
 Clinic of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Brugmann University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium 
Editor
Etienne de Villers-Sidani
Publication year
2016
Publication date
2016
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISSN
20905904
e-ISSN
16875443
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2407659906
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 Inmaculada Riquelme et al. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.