Study shows differences in rapidly processing sensory feedback among people with ASD

Have you ever noticed that your autistic child has difficulty with things like handwriting, buttoning clothes, using utensils or other activities that require precise movements?

Research from the University of Kansas found differences in how people with autism processed sensory feedback and translated that information into precise movements, offering another piece of the puzzle when it comes to motor skills and autism.

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What Did the Study Look At?

Researchers at the University of Kansas studied more than 200 people between the ages of 5 and 29, comparing fine motor control and eye movements in autistic and neurotypical participants.

The researchers used two types of tests.

One involved a precision grip task, where participants squeezed their thumb and forefinger together while responding to objects displayed on a monitor.

The other measured eye movements as participants responded to dots appearing on a screen.

Researchers looked at things such as reaction time, accuracy, variability and consistency.

The goal was to better understand how people with autism process sensory information and use that information to control movement.

What Is Sensory Feedback?

To understand the findings, it helps to think about something as simple as picking up a cup.

Your brain uses information from your senses to help you know where the cup is, how much force to use and whether you need to adjust your movement.

The researchers describe two systems involved in this process: feedback and feed-forward systems.

A feedback system uses sensory information to make adjustments as you move. A feed-forward system helps the brain carry out movements that happen so quickly that there isn’t enough time to process sensory feedback before the movement occurs.

Both systems work together to help us make accurate movements.

What Did Researchers Find?

One of the study’s main findings was that timing mattered.

When very rapid motor adjustments were required, differences were more pronounced in the autistic participants. When the motor processes took place over a longer period, the differences between autistic and neurotypical participants were smaller.

The researchers suggested that people with autism may rely more heavily on slower feedback processes than neurotypical people.

That doesn’t mean every autistic person will have the same motor challenges. In fact, the study found that precision motor differences varied depending on age and context.

How Could This Show Up in Everyday Life?

Some of the tasks affected by precise motor control may seem very ordinary to adults but require a lot of coordination.

The University of Kansas researchers specifically noted examples such as:

• Holding a pencil
• Buttoning a shirt
• Zipping a coat
• Other everyday fine motor activities

For a child who has difficulty processing sensory feedback quickly, making the tiny adjustments needed for these activities may take more effort or time.

This can be especially important when adults expect a child to perform a task quickly.

Motor Skills May Look Different at Different Ages

The study found that motor differences weren’t identical across the age range.

For example, precision grip movements using very low force were particularly affected in the youngest autistic children compared with their neurotypical peers. The researchers noted that these low-force movements are similar to the amount of force used for everyday tasks such as holding a pencil or buttoning a shirt.

The researchers suggested that measuring variability in precision grip at low force levels could potentially help distinguish autistic children from typically developing children and could have implications for early intervention.

Importantly, this was a research finding—not a recommendation that parents use grip tests to identify autism.

What About the Dominant Hand?

The researchers also looked at differences between the dominant and non-dominant hands.

In typically developing individuals, the dominant hand generally produces stronger force. In the autistic participants, researchers observed less difference between the dominant and non-dominant hands.

The researchers interpreted this as suggesting reduced specialization between the brain’s hemispheres and noted that this could affect the development of other abilities associated with autism, including language.

What Does This Mean for Parents?

One important takeaway is that motor difficulties aren’t necessarily just about not knowing how to perform a task.

A child may understand what they are supposed to do but have difficulty making the rapid sensory and motor adjustments required to do it smoothly.

For example, a child might know how to write their name but struggle with the precise movements needed to control a pencil. Another child may know how to button a shirt but need considerably more time to complete the task.

Understanding this distinction can help parents and teachers approach these challenges with patience rather than assuming a child simply isn’t trying.

Give Kids Time to Practice

Because the study found larger differences when rapid adjustments were required, giving a child additional time may be helpful when they’re working on tasks that require precision.

Instead of focusing only on how quickly a child completes a task, it can be useful to consider how much effort the task requires.

Skills such as handwriting, dressing and other fine motor activities develop over time, and children may need different types of support while they practice.

Why This Research Matters

The researchers emphasized that sensorimotor issues are important to understand because they can affect everyday skills ranging from handwriting to dressing and can have implications for education and independence.

The study also demonstrates why researchers need to examine multiple systems rather than treating motor skills as one simple ability.

For parents, this provides another reminder that the challenges we see on the outside can sometimes involve complicated processes happening inside the brain.

Final Thoughts

Motor skills and sensory processing are closely connected. This University of Kansas study found that autistic individuals can differ in how quickly they process sensory feedback and use that information to make precise movements, with the differences particularly noticeable when rapid adjustments are required.

If your child struggles with handwriting, dressing, using utensils or other fine motor activities, it may help to look at the whole process rather than focusing only on the finished skill.

Sometimes, giving a child more time, practice and understanding can be just as important as teaching the skill itself.

Materials provided by University of Kansas. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.