The way someone walks could reveal if they have autism, a top health expert has revealed.
Professor Nicole Rinehart, who has worked as a clinical psychologist for the last 20 years and is based out of Australia, says that having an ‘odd gait’ is now listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as a supporting diagnostic feature of autism.
The DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), is the standard reference for diagnosing neurological disorders, including autism.
Diagnosing autism – which impacts more than 5 million adults and over 2 million children in the US – can be difficult because there is no definitive medical test, such as blood draws or MRI scans, to diagnose the disorder.
Doctors instead must look at the child or adult’s developmental history and behavior to make a diagnosis.
Professor Rinehart says autism could affect the way someone walks due to a difference in brain development, specifically in areas known as the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
The basal ganglia acts as a filter for motor signals, ensuring smooth and coordinated movements, while the cerebellum receives information from the inner ear, eyes, and muscles and adjusts muscle activity to keep the body stable.
Some of the most noticeable gait differences among autistic people, as outlined by Professor Rinehart, are toe-walking (walking on the balls of the feet), in-toeing (walking with one or both feet turned inwards), and out-toeing (walking with one or both feet turned out).
The way someone walks could reveal if they have autism, a top health expert has revealed
However, the psychologist says some of the walking styles could be much subtler, especially among those with mild autism.
She explains: ‘Research has also identified more subtle differences.
‘A study summarizing 30 years of research among autistic people reports that gait is characterized by walking more slowly, taking wider steps, spending longer in the ‘stance’ phase, when the foot leaves the ground [and] taking more time to complete each step.’
Professor Rinehart says research has shown that the autistic gait ‘persists across the lifespan’ and some walking styles can become more distinctive with age.
Experts believe a different gait pattern could potentially be a ‘game changer’ for autism diagnosis, particularly in young children, because it can be observed early and objectively.
Those with severe autism, characterized by significant challenges in social interaction, communication, and behavior, might have more pronounced gait differences.
If someone with autism is exhibiting an altered gait, Professor Rinehart says there is often no need for intervention unless it is interfering with someone’s ability to participate in everyday life.
She says if the walking style could increase the risk or frequency of falls then it is advisable to seek support.
If the gait is preventing someone from participating in the physical activities they enjoy, they could also benefit from intervention.
Therapy for autistic gait, particularly toe walking, often involves a variety of approaches including physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Physical therapy focuses on improving muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion, while occupational therapy helps with motor skills, balance, and coordination, often incorporating sensory integration techniques.
Other options may include serial casting, orthotics, or even surgical intervention in more severe cases.
When it come to children, Professor Rinehart says that rehabilitation doesn’t have to occur in a clinical setting and sports and dance classes have been shown to be beneficial.
She adds: ‘Given children spend a large portion of their time at school, programs that integrate opportunities for movement throughout the school day allow autistic children to develop motor skills outside of the clinic and alongside peers.
‘Our community-based intervention studies show autistic children’s movement abilities can improve after engaging in community-based interventions, such as sports or dance.
‘Community-based support models empower autistic children to have agency in how they move, rather than seeing different ways of moving as a problem to be fixed.’
According to the CDC, one in every 31 children aged eight or younger had autism in 2022 – a rate of 32.2 per 1,000. That’s up from one in 36 in 2020, and one in 44 in 2018.
By comparison, early studies from the 1960s and 1970s estimated autism rates to be as low as 1 in 5,000.
The most recent CDC report found wide geographic variation, with diagnosis rates ranging from roughly one in 100 in parts of south Texas to a striking one in 19 in San Diego.
Researchers say the sharp rise in recent decades can be partially explained by improved screening, increased public awareness, and better access to services.
While some blame an ultra-processed diet, chemicals and pesticides for the rise.
The average age for an autism diagnoses is five, though the vast majority of parents notice odd quirks in their children, particularly around social skills, as early as two years old.
Looking ahead, Professor Rinehart says more research needs to be done to better understand the autistic gait.
This will be particularly beneficial to children so that treatment plans can be tailored for their individual movement styles as they develop.
Source link
