Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have deficits in motor control, imitation and social function. Does a dysfunction in the neural basis of representing internal models of action contribute to these problems? We measured patterns of generalization as children learned to control a novel tool and found that the autistic brain built a stronger than normal association between self-generated motor commands and proprioceptive feedback; furthermore, the greater the reliance on proprioception, the greater the child's impairments in social function and imitation.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Autistic Disorder / complications
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Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
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Autistic Disorder / psychology
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Brain / physiopathology*
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Child
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Disability Evaluation
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Feedback / physiology
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Female
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Humans
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Imitative Behavior / physiology
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Learning / physiology
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Male
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Models, Neurological
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Motor Skills / physiology
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Movement / physiology*
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Movement Disorders / etiology
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Movement Disorders / physiopathology*
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Movement Disorders / psychology
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Proprioception / physiology
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Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
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Social Behavior Disorders / etiology
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Social Behavior Disorders / physiopathology*
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Social Behavior Disorders / psychology