The Effects of Asperger's on Fine Motor Skills

Muscular Weakness

• In general, poor muscle tone is a hallmark of Asperger̵7;s syndrome. Some people experience hypotonia, a serious muscular condition that affects posture and motor control. Much more common, however, is a milder overall feeling of weakness and inability to fully control the muscles. Many people with Asperger̵7;s syndrome exhibit odd posture and clunky movements as early as infancy.

Sensorimotor Integration

• Asperger̵7;s syndrome often causes problems with sensorimotor integration, or responding properly to input from the five senses. Many people with Asperger̵7;s report overall clumsiness, based on a lack of precise knowledge of where their bodies are in relation to people and objects around them. Fine motor skills require planning, in which the person mentally pictures the task before performing it. If the incoming information, such as the current position of a shoelace or the feel of a pencil in the hand, is faulty, then it becomes extremely difficult to accurately plan the desired behavior.

Tactile Concerns

• Asperger̵7;s syndrome causes tactile issues in many people. Some people with Asperger̵7;s are touch-averse, shying away from physical contact with others. Some are particularly sensitive to certain sensations, such as the feel of a tag in their clothing or hair on their neck. Most tasks that use fine motor skills involve close tactile contact with an object or person, potentially triggering a fight-or-flight response that causes motor skills to shut down.

Getting Help

• If you or your child suffer from Asperger̵7;s syndrome, you have numerous options for improving fine motor skills. The first step is assessment by a professional with clinical Asperger̵7;s experience. That person will measure your or your child̵7;s motor skills development, as compared to others, and identify specific areas of weakness. Occupational therapy uses targeted exercises to improve the identified areas. In addition, some evidence shows that Asperger̵7;s sufferers who play guitar, skateboard or do other activities that require constant practice, display better overall fine motor skills. Both structured and unstructured play provide opportunities to gradually develop both gross and fine motor skills.