Developmental delays are known to exist in children with autism when compared to their typically developing peers. Foundations of these delays stem from the cognitive and motor performance realm, but information regarding specific characteristics, such as postural stability and sensory integration, are less defined. In this study, postural stability differences were investigated between children with autism and neurotypical children. Past research has shown the role of sensory integration during postural sway has been a strong indicator in showing developmental progress. Due to the focus of the protocol being on static balance, the Modified-Central Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance was used to measure postural stability. The age range for this study is set between 3 and 5 years of age and follows CTSIB protocol to assess 32 neurotypical developing children and compare their results to an archived data set containing CTSIB results from a sample of children with autism. Results from the study indicate that when the autism and neurotypical groups were compared, no significant main effect was found. Developmental differences were found across age groups in that 5 year olds displayed more stability than 4 year olds, but there was no difference between 3 and 4 year olds or 3 and 5 year olds. Further analyses of these developmental results indicated that children in the neurotypical group follow an expected developmental progression while children in the autism group display a divergence from this typical progression. Findings of this research add to the existing literature that children with autism display inconsistent developmental patterns which have a strong relationship with the delayed activity levels of these children. The knowledge and understanding of these delays will allow practitioners to implement specially designed programs to ensure that these children receive the activity that they need and deserve. / text

Postural stability assessment tools are one of the many ways concussions can be assessed and return to play decisions can be made; two of which are the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and force plate technology. OBJECTIVE: Validate the modified BESS used by Utah State University by comparing it to equivalent tests on the NeuroCom Balance Manager System. METHODS: 114 current or previous Utah State football players ranging in age from 18-24. Each athlete conducted a baseline BESS test during their pre-participation physical and NeuroCom testing was conducted during the summer of 2011. NeuroCom testing included a modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) both on a firm and foam surface, a single leg stance test with eyes open and closed on both a firm and foam surface, and a tandem walk test where end sway was recorded. BESS testing was done depending on when the athlete arrived at Utah State. Correlations were reported for athletes that arrived for the current year and also for the athletes that arrived for any year prior to that. A Welch's T-Test was conducted to analyze any differences between the two groups. The tandem stance on the foam condition for the BESS had a statistically significant difference, so that variable was excluded and the adjusted correlations were then reported. There were eight correlation conditions that were determined by the individuals who could and could not complete the entire time on the single leg stance with eyes closed on a firm as well as a foam surface. RESULTS: The only variable associated with the NeuroCom Balance Manager that had consistent correlations with the composite BESS score was the CTSIB foam condition; with a 0.28 correlation with individuals regardless of single leg stance with eyes closed, 0.39 with individuals who completed the whole time on the firm without consideration for the foam, 0.27 with individuals who did not complete the whole time on the foam without consideration for the firm and 0.39 with individuals who could complete the whole time on the firm but not on the foam. CONCLUSION: There appears to be some correlation with CTSIB foam conditions and the composite BESS.

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