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The influence of motor abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder on caregiver experiences: A pilot study

Sara M. Scharoun, Roula A. Markoulakis, Paula C. Fletcher, Pamela J. Bryden

Background: Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), particularly mothers, experience a unique caregiving demand. Although benefits do exist, caregivers often report a burden due to children’s lack of social interaction and ability to self-care. Development of motor skills employed in these activities is often delayed in children with ASD; however, possible links between motor skills and the experiences of their caregivers is not clearly understood. This pilot study explored caregivers’ descriptions of the functioning of children with ASD in relation to their children’s motor abilities. Methods: Five children (two male, three female, ages 6–8) with ASD participated in the following tasks to assess lateral preference and performance: the WatHand Cabinet Test, involving a series of unimanual tasks; the Large and Small Grooved Pegboards test, which time the placement of pegs into key-shaped holes; Eyedness Tasks, such as looking through a tube with one eye; and Footedness Tasks, such as kicking a ball. The five married female primary caregivers (ages 35–46) of these children participated in one-on-one, semistructured interviews regarding their view of their children’s functioning, and costs and benefits of their experiences. Results: Overall, parents of children who displayed weaker lateralization described their children’s motor abilities in ways that were indicative of greater difficulties with social interaction and age-appropriate selfcare. Conclusions: Implications exist for intervention planning, where service providers should be cognizant of the motor difficulties experienced by children with ASD, and plan interventions that promote functional gains.