The broad goal of my research is to understand motor development and motor learning abilities of typically and atypically developing infants and children. In our current project, we aim to compare the sequence learning abilities and adaptation abilities of children with high-functioning autism versus typically developing children. Current research shows that motor deficits such as poor interlimb coordination, poor praxis, and poor postural control are present in children with autism. In addition, abnormalities in motor areas such as the cerebellum, basal ganglia, and fronto-parietal cortices exist.

Past studies conducted in our lab suggest that these children can adapt their movement patterns to novel environments whereas learning a movement sequence is difficult. Hence, we are examining children, typical and those with autism, in an interlimb coordination task as they walk on a split-belt treadmill. In addition, split-belt walking requires intact functioning of the midline areas of the cerebellum and these motor areas are known to be abnormal in children and adults with autism. During split-belt walking we test them for adaptation as well as sequence learning. On confirming our hypothesis, we will support the notion that motor deficits in children with autism can be explained through sequence learning impairments.