AUTHOR=Sacrey Lori-Ann R., Germani Tamara , Bryson Susan E., Zwaigenbaum Lonnie 

TITLE=Reaching and Grasping in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Recent Literature

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=5

YEAR=2014

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2014.00006

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2014.00006

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=<p>Impairments in motor functioning, which, until recently, have rarely been a primary focus in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research, may play a key role in the early expression of biological vulnerability and be associated with key social-communication deficits. This review summarizes current knowledge of motor behavior in ASD, focusing specifically on reaching and grasping. Convergent data across the lifespan indicate that impairments to reaching and grasping emerge early in life, affect the planning and execution of motor programs, and may be impacted by additional impairments to sensory control of motor behavior. The relationship between motor impairments and diagnostic outcomes will be discussed.</p>