Features of neurological status in children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

The article analyzes the features of the neurological status, characterizes group differences in motor functions in children with autism spectrum disorders depending on the presence and severity of delayed psychological and speech development.Material and methods. The analysis of data on the neurological status of children with autism spectrum disorders was based on 51 patients records for the period from 2016 to 2021; 43 boys (84%) and 8 girls (16%) aged 3 to 10 years. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to the criterion of the presence or absence of a severe delay in psychological and speech development. The first group included children with severe forms of delayed psychological and speech development — 23 (45%), the second — 28 (55%) patients with mild forms or without delayed psychological and speech development.Results. The children in the first group were characterized by the predominance of diffuse muscular hypotension (96%); stereotypies manifested in movements looking like «wings» (22%), other stereotyped movements (48%); disorders such as echolalia, ataxia, pyramidal insufficiency syndrome, and strabismus were equally common in both groups.Conclusion. Analysis of the data showed the predominance of several neurological disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders who have a severe delay in psychological and speech development and made it possible to identify neurological characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorders regardless of the level of psychological and speech development.