Evaluation of neuromuscular tone phenotypes in children with autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory study
Abstract
Objective Motor disorders are known in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but muscle tone assessments are rarely performed. Muscle tone underpins movement. We investigated muscle tone in 34 ASD children using a standardized neuro-developmental battery, which uses the French norms for muscular tone in children. Methods Dangling and extensibility were used to examine passive muscle tone in the upper and lower limbs and the body axis. A comparison between muscles of the right and left sides enabled the determination of tonic laterality. Results We found a disharmonious tonic typology, with a tonic component for the muscles of the trunk and the proximal muscles of the lower limbs and a laxity component for the ankles and the proximal and distal muscles of the upper limbs (wrists and shoulders). No establishment of tonic laterality was found in the upper limbs in 61% of ASD children (P Conclusion The disturbed tonic organization influenced by subcortical structures, such as the cerebellum, may partially explain the motor disorders, and indefinite tonic laterality may also be linked to low hemispheric brain dominance described in autism. This preliminary examination is necessary before any gross motor assessments to understand the nature of movement disorders, explore typologies and highlight possible soft neuro-motor signs.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Four out of five studies conducted in autistic children reported an association between ASD and JH.
“Four out five studies conducted in autistic children reported an association between ASD and JH (Blanche, Reinoso, et al., 2012;Paquet et al., 2017;Romeo et al., 2023;Shetreat-Klein et al., 2014).”
From Autism in the context of joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and Ehlers–Danlos syndromes: A systematic review and prevalence meta-analyses (2025) · cites this paper as Paquet et al., 2017
Cites
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Williams, J. B. W., & First, M. B. (2013) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.104 · Cited by 109,841 · see citing works
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/springerreference_121117 · Cited by 20,769 · see citing works
Handedness and hemispheric language dominance in healthy humans
Knecht, S. (2000) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/123.12.2512 · Cited by 1,560 · see citing works
Prevalence of motor impairment in autism spectrum disorders
Ming, X., Brimacombe, M., & Wagner, G. C. (2007) · Brain and Development · doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2007.03.002 · Cited by 613 · see citing works
Stanfield, A. C., McIntosh, A. M., Spencer, M. D., Philip, R., Gaur, S., & Lawrie, S. M. (2008) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2007.05.006 · Cited by 524 · see citing works
Underdevelopment of the postural control system in autism
Minshew, N. J., Sung, K., Jones, B. L., & Furman, J. M. (2004) · Neurology · doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000145771.98657.62 · Cited by 440 · see citing works
Motor Signs Distinguish Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome from Controls
Jansiewicz, E. M., Goldberg, M. C., Newschaffer, C. J., DENCKLA, M. B., Landa, R. J., & Mostofsky, S. H. (2006) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1007/s10803-006-0109-y · Cited by 431 · see citing works
Blind Ratings of Early Symptoms of Autism Based upon Family Home Movies
Adrien, J., Lenoir, P., Martineau, J., PERROT, A., HAMEURY, L., Larmande, C., & SAUVAGE, D. (1993) · Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1097/00004583-199305000-00019 · Cited by 383 · see citing works
Postural Stability in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Molloy, C. A., Dietrich, K. N., & Bhattacharya, A. (2003) · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · doi:10.1023/b:jadd.0000006001.00667.4c · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Lindell, A. K., & Hudry, K. (2013) · Neuropsychology Review · doi:10.1007/s11065-013-9234-5 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Abnormalities of joint mobility and gait in children with autism spectrum disorders
Shetreat-Klein, M., Shinnar, S., & Rapin, I. (2014) · Brain and Development · doi:10.1016/j.braindev.2012.02.005 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Subtypes of Developmental Coordination Disorder: Research on Their Nature and Etiology
Vaivre‐Douret, L., Lalanne, C., Ingster-Moati, I., Boddaert, N., CABROL, D., Dufier, J., Golse, B., & Falissard, B. (2011) · Developmental Neuropsychology · doi:10.1080/87565641.2011.560696 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Self-citationWęgiel, J., Flory, M. J., Kuchna, I., Nowicki, K., Ma, S. Y., Imaki, H., Wegiel, J., Cohen, I. L., London, E., Wısnıewskı, T., et al. (2014) · Acta Neuropathologica Communications · doi:10.1186/s40478-014-0141-7 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
de Guibert, C., Maumet, C., Jannin, P., Ferré, J., Tréguier, C., Barillot, C., Rumeur, É. L., Allaire, C., & Biraben, A. (2011) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awr141 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Nobile, M., Perego, P., Piccinini, L., Mani, E., Rossi, A., Bellina, M., & Molteni, M. (2011) · Autism · doi:10.1177/1362361309356929 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
A method for neurologic evaluation within the first year of life
Amiel‐Tison, C. (1976) · Current Problems in Pediatrics · doi:10.1016/s0045-9380(76)80008-4 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Busiah, K., Drunat, S., Vaivre‐Douret, L., Bonnefond, A., Simon, A., Flechtner, I., Gérard, B., Pouvreau, N., Elie, C., Nimri, R., et al. (2013) · The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/s2213-8587(13)70059-7 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Self-citationNeurologic Abnormalities in Infantile Autism
Haas, R., Townsend, J., Courchesne, E., Lincoln, A. J., Schreibman, L., & Yeung-Courchesne, R. (1996) · Journal of Child Neurology · doi:10.1177/088307389601100204 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Paquet, A., Olliac, B., Bouvard, M. P., Golse, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01292 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Self-citationÉtudes neurologiques sur le nouveau-né et le jeune nourrisson
Thomas, A. (1952) · Masson eBooks · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Current knowledge on motor disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Paquet, A., Olliac, B., Golse, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2015) · Child Neuropsychology · doi:10.1080/09297049.2015.1085501 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Self-citationMandelbaum, D. E., Stevens, M. C. G., Rosenberg, E., Wiznitzer, M., Steinschneider, M., Korey, S. R., Filipek, P. A., Rapin, I., & Korey, S. R. (2005) · Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology · doi:10.1017/s0012162206000089 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Autism, lateralisation, and handedness: A review of the literature and meta-analysis
Preslar, J. P., Kushner, H. I., Marino, L., & Pearce, B. D. (2013) · Laterality Asymmetries of Body Brain and Cognition · doi:10.1080/1357650x.2013.772621 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Minor neurological dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorder
de Jong, M., Punt, M., de Groot, E., Minderaa, R. B., & Hadders‐Algra, M. (2011) · Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.03971.x · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Paquet, A., Golse, B., Girard, M. F., Olliac, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2017) · Developmental Neuropsychology · doi:10.1080/87565641.2016.1274317 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Self-citationSignes neurologiques mineurs et troubles envahissants du développement
Halayem, S., Bouden, A., Halayem, M. B., Tabbane, K., Amado, I., & Krebs, M. (2010) · L Encéphale · doi:10.1016/j.encep.2009.12.012 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Gong, J., Xie, J., Gui, C., Zhang, Y., & Wang, S. (2015) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2015.04.017 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Bergès, J. (1963) · PubMed · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Apport de l’évaluation standardisée du tonus musculaire dans les trouble du spectre de l’autisme
Paquet, A., Olliac, B., Golse, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2016) · Neurophysiologie Clinique · doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2016.09.090 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citationPaquet, A., Olliac, B., Girard, M. F., Golse, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2015) · Neurophysiologie Clinique · doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2015.10.060 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 31 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Martins, E. P. (2025) · STUDIES IN HEALTH SCIENCES · doi:10.54022/shsv6n4-043 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Sharp, H. E. C., Critchley, H. D., & Eccles, J. A. (2021) · World Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.5498/wjp.v11.i10.805 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Briot, K., Pizano, A., Bouvard, M. P., & Amestoy, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.634756 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Automatic Assessment of Motor Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
Gargot, T., Archambault, D., Chétouani, M., Cohen, D., Johal, W., & Anzalone, S. M. (2022) · Cognitive Computation · doi:10.1007/s12559-021-09940-8 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
L’évaluation sensori-psychomotrice dans l’autisme : un nouvel outil d’aide au diagnostic fonctionnel
Menn-Tripi, C. L., Vachaud, A., Defas, N. I., Malvy, J., Roux, S., & Bonnet‐Brilhault, F. (2019) · L Encéphale · doi:10.1016/j.encep.2018.12.003 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Lopez-Espejo, M. A., Nuñez, A. C., Moscoso, O. C., & Escobar, R. G. (2021) · European Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s00431-021-04038-7 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Hidalgo‐Robles, Á., Paleg, G., & Livingstone, R. (2024) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare12040493 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Rodrigues, L. M., FERREIRA, R. M. D. O., Franco, T. M., & Camilo, F. C. S. M. (2024) · Biosciences and Health · doi:10.62331/2965-758x.v2.2024.43 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Baeza-Velasco, C., Vergne, J., Poli, M., Kalisch, L., & Calati, R. (2025) · Autism · doi:10.1177/13623613251328059 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Amorim, N. D., Parreiral, J., & Santos, S. (2022) · Children · doi:10.3390/children9081195 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Romeo, D. M., Moro, M., Pezone, M., Venezia, I., Mirra, F., De Biase, M., Polo, A., Turrini, I., Lala, M. R., Velli, C., et al. (2023) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm13121723 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Rochat, M. J., & D, V. G. M. (2022) · Psychoanalytic Inquiry · doi:10.1080/07351690.2022.2007022 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Alteraciones motoras en pacientes pediátricos con trastorno del espectro autista
Lopez-Espejo, M. A., Núñez, A. C., Moscoso, O. C., & Escobar, R. G. (2022) · Andes pediatrica · doi:10.32641/andespediatr.v93i1.3455 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Schreider, S., de Souza, J. C., Freitas, É. V. D. S., Panceri, J. A. C., Caldeira, E. M. D. O., & Bastos-Filho, T. (2024) · Research on Biomedical Engineering · doi:10.1007/s42600-024-00358-3 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Murnane, S. E. (2022) · Autism and child psychopathology series · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-06120-2_18 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Stimming as a Form of Autistic Aesthetic Experience, Neuroqueering Landscape
Metz, S. (2024) · Ought The Journal of Autistic Culture · doi:10.9707/2833-1508.1165 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Perfil psicomotor de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista
Busto, A. M. D. L., & Braccialli, L. M. P. (2018) · REVISTA DIÁLOGOS E PERSPECTIVAS EM EDUCAÇÃO ESPECIAL · doi:10.36311/2358-8845.2018.v5n2.05.p59 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
van den Bos, N., & Rosenblum, S. (2022) · Journal of Occupational Therapy Schools & Early Intervention · doi:10.1080/19411243.2022.2129900 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Ha, S.-Y., & Sung, Y.-H. (2022) · Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation · doi:10.12965/jer.2244484.242 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Fewster, E. C., Hadad, B., & Freud, E. (2026) · Autism Research · doi:10.1002/aur.70180 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Neto, F. R., Andreis, L. M., Gazola, E., Fernandes, S., & Germano, A. M. C. (2026) · Autism Research · doi:10.1002/aur.70200 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Paquet, A., Olliac, B., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2018) · Neuropsychiatrie de l Enfance et de l Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.neurenf.2018.04.003 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citationFujii, H. (2021) · Annals of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy · doi:10.23880/aphot-16000214 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Paquet, A., & Vaivre‐Douret, L. (2019) · Corps & Psychisme · doi:10.3917/cpsy2.074.0143
Self-citationINFLUÊNCIA DA INTEGRAÇÃO SENSORIAL NO DESEMPENHO MOTOR DA CRIANÇA COM TRANSTORNO DO ESPECTRO AUTISTA
Serra, A. P. P., Alves, E. M. C., Nunes, E. R., Cabral, J. M., & de Moraes, B. L. C. (2021) · Hawking eBooks · doi:10.29327/555828.1-9
Ruiz, S., & Granit, V. (2001) · De Boeck Supérieur eBooks · doi:10.3917/dbu.perri.2019.01.0442
Gomes, N. R., Lessa, N. F., Freitas, K. R. D. S. R., Lobato, L. D. V. R., da Silva, J. M. M., Guimarães, M. V., de Oliveira, C. E. P., & Pereira, E. T. (2025) · Cuadernos de Educación y Desarrollo · doi:10.55905/cuadv17n6-082
- Authors
- Paquet, A., Olliac, B., Golse, B., & Vaivre-Douret, L.
- Affiliations
- Université Paris-Sud (FR)
- Centre Hospitalier Esquirol de Limoges (FR)
- Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Paquet, Aude
- Venue
- Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2017-09
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 261-268
- ISSN
- 0987-7053 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2742612396
- Cited by
- 26
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2
- FWCI
- 0.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurophysiologie Clinique (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Fondation de France
- Fondation pour la Recherche en Psychomotricité et Maladies de Civilisation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, muscle tone assessment, motor disorders, hypotonia, hyperlaxity, extensibility, cerebellum, hemispheric dominance, children, upper and lower limbs, trunk muscles, ankle joint
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Motor Disorders, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Muscle Hypotonia, Phenotype, Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
