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Purpose <p>Motor impairments are pervasive in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with atypical gait patterns often observed but understudied in early development. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze spatiotemporal gait parameters and variability in toddlers with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) peers. </p> Methods <p>The study included 12 ASD and 9 TD male toddlers, aged 18–30 months, walking independently. We extracted spatiotemporal gait parameters from laboratory recordings of walking. Gait variability was assessed via coefficients of variation for each parameter. Group differences were tested and exploratory correlations between gait parameters and motor skills were assessed. </p> Results <p>Results indicated increased gait variability in the ASD group across parameters, suggesting less consistent motor control. Significant differences in variability were observed in stride length, step length, stance time, and stride time. </p> Conclusion <p>This pilot study confirms that an objective assessment of gait is feasible in toddlers with ASD. Future research is needed to replicate the results in a larger sample, to explore underlying neurological mechanisms, as well as the impact of atypical gait maturation on other developmental domains. Early identification of atypical gait patterns could aid in designing interventions targeting motor development, potentially improving broader developmental outcomes in ASD.</p>

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Higher Intraindividual Gait Variability in Autistic Toddlers: A Pilot Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月12日

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  • Joana M. Almeida Osório,
  • Baptiste Ulrich-Ischer,
  • Laura F. Mendes,
  • Sonia Richetin,
  • Vincent Junod,
  • Borja Rodríguez-Herreros,
  • Anne M. Maillard,
  • Julien Favre,
  • Marine Jequier Gygax,
  • Nadia Chabane

摘要

Purpose

Motor impairments are pervasive in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with atypical gait patterns often observed but understudied in early development. The aim of this pilot study was to analyze spatiotemporal gait parameters and variability in toddlers with ASD compared to typically developing (TD) peers.

Methods

The study included 12 ASD and 9 TD male toddlers, aged 18–30 months, walking independently. We extracted spatiotemporal gait parameters from laboratory recordings of walking. Gait variability was assessed via coefficients of variation for each parameter. Group differences were tested and exploratory correlations between gait parameters and motor skills were assessed.

Results

Results indicated increased gait variability in the ASD group across parameters, suggesting less consistent motor control. Significant differences in variability were observed in stride length, step length, stance time, and stride time.

Conclusion

This pilot study confirms that an objective assessment of gait is feasible in toddlers with ASD. Future research is needed to replicate the results in a larger sample, to explore underlying neurological mechanisms, as well as the impact of atypical gait maturation on other developmental domains. Early identification of atypical gait patterns could aid in designing interventions targeting motor development, potentially improving broader developmental outcomes in ASD.