The association of motor coordination impairment and social communication deficits in children with autism is mediated by executive function

Abstract

Abstract Background: Motor coordination impairment could contribute to social communication deficits in children with autism (ASD). However, the exploration of the mechanism implicated in these claims has been limited by the lack of potential confounders such as executive function (EF). Methods: We investigated the role that EF plays in the relationship between motor coordination and social communication in a school-aged autistic population via a structural model in a statistically robust manner. The results of questionnaires, including the Developmental Coordination Disorder questionnaire, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, and the Social Responsiveness Scale, were collected to measure motor coordination, social communication deficits, and EF. Results: A total of 182 ASD children (7.61±1.31 years, 87.9% boys) were included in the final analysis. In the model with EF as a mediator, the total effect (β=-0.599, P<0.001) and the direct effect (β=-0.331, P =0.003) of motor coordination function on social communication were both significant among ASD children without intellectual disability (ID), as were indirect effects through EF (β=-0.268, P<0.001). Conclusion: EF partially mediates the motor coordination and social communication correlation among ASD. We suggest that motor coordination should be included in the routine evaluation of autism surveillance and rehabilitation procedures.