Handwriting Difficulties in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Functional handwriting involves complex interactions among physical, cognitive and sensory systems. Impairments in many aspects of these systems are associated with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), suggesting a heightened risk of handwriting difficulties in children with ASD. This scoping review aimed to: (1) survey the existing evidence about potential contributions to compromised handwriting function in children with ASD, and (2) map out the existing studies documenting handwriting difficulties in children with ASD. The current evidence implicates impairments in fine motor control and visual-motor integration as likely contributors to handwriting difficulties in children with ASD, though the role of the latter is not well-understood. Moreover, diminished overall legibility and compromised letter formation are emerging points of convergence among existing studies of handwriting quality in children with ASD.

What can autism teach us about the role of sensorimotor systems in higher cognition? New clues from studies on language, action semantics, and abstract emotional concept processing

“…These speak of deficits such as in handwriting (Kushki, Chau, & Anagnostou, 2011) and (relatedly) fine-precision grip (David, Baranek, Wiesen, Miao, & Thorpe, 2012); in postural stability (Molloy, Dietrich, & Bhattacharya, 2003) and as documented in the studies above, gait (Esposito & Venuti, 2008;VernazzaMartin et al, 2005;Vilensky, Damasio, & Maurer, 1981); of akinesia, dyskinesia and bradykinesia (Damasio & Maurer,6 Motor symptoms are not the only symptoms that appear in the first year of life; we refer the interested reader to several other papers which point out early abnormalities in social orientation among other symptoms in the first year of life (Clifford & Dissanayake, 2008;Clifford et al, 2013;Clifford, Young, & Williamson, 2007;Dawson et al, 2004;Maestro, Muratori, Barbieri et al, 2001; 1978; Maurer & Damasio, 1982); and finally of hand dystonia and facial grimacing (Wing, 1981).…”

Supporting the Writing Skills of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Assistive Technologies

“…It includes the complex interaction among physical, cognitive, and sensory systems (Kushki et al 2011). Most students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are likely to have difficulties with written expression which will impact their academic performance across subject matter areas (Griswold et al 2002; Whitby and Mancil 2009).…”

“…Further, ASD is also associated with differences in manual dexterity, muscle tone, and grip strength (Kushki et al 2011).…”

Experiences of handwriting and using a computerized ATD in school: Adolescents with Asperger's syndrome

“…A recently conducted scoping review on handwriting difficulties in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ASD, found altogether six studies, of which two specifically addressed handwriting difficulties in children with AS (10). The review concluded that diminished overall legibility and letter formulation are points of convergence among existing studies of handwriting quality in children with ASD.…”