Exploring the Interaction of Motor and Social Skills With Autism Severity Using the SFARI Dataset

This analysis was an early exploration into the social skill and motor differences of autistic youth using the SFARI dataset. Unfortunately, poor motor skills measures were utilized for this data; however, the analysis revealed that there may be little difference between "severity" groups on motor skills.

Abstract

Social communicative deficits and stereotyped or repetitive interests or behaviors are the defining features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A growing body of research suggests that gross motor deficits are also present in most children with ASD. This study sought to understand how pediatric ASD severity is related to motor skills and social skills. A multivariate analysis of variance analysis of 483 children with autism (N = 444) and ASD (N = 39) revealed a nonsignificant difference between groups. Results suggest little difference between severity groups on gross motor and social skills within the limited age range of the participants (about 5.6 years of age).

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