Sensorimotor skills

Question 1

What are the 5 processes involved in a sensorimotor action?

Gowen and Hamilton(2013)

Answer 1

1. Sensory systems-vision and proprioception
2. Integrated into a state estimation of the world
3. Current state of the world is compared to the desired state of the world vi planning and control- Inverse model
4. Forward model (predictor)- takes a copy of the motor command and currently updates with current states.
5. Motor execution

Question 2

What is the purpose of the Forward model (predictor)?

Answer 2

The Forward model’s purpose is to make sensorimotor actions more efficient and prepare for errors. The Forward model is continuously providing sensory inputs whilst the action is being planned.

Question 3

Name disorders of sensorimotor development?

Answer 3

Autism Spectrum Disorder &

Developmental Coordination Disorder/ Dyspraxia

Question 4

What are some pronounced difficulties in Dyspraxia?

Answer 4

Selection, timing and spatial organization of purposeful movement and coordination

Question 5

Is DCD/Dyspraxia more likely in people with Autism than the general population?

Answer 5

Yes. Adults with autism are significantly more likely to have DCD/Dyspraxia. 6.9%-0.8%

Question 6

Are adults with DCD/dyspraxia more likely to have autistic traits?

Answer 6

Yes they have significantly higher autistic traits and lower empathy than controls

Question 7

There is a lot of overlap between DCD and Autism. What implications has this had for Autism diagnosis?

Answer 7

Autism must be assessed in those with DCD and vice versa (Hannant et al. 2016).

Question 8

What percentage of people with autism have motor difficulties?

Answer 8

80% and 10% are borderline (Green et al. 2009)

Question 9

Motor delays tend to be reported by parents as first area of concern at how many months?

Answer 9

14.7 months

Question 10

Motor skills are important for social development. Give some examples how…

Answer 10

Imitation
Speech sound production
Emotion recognition
Anxiety in response to social interaction

Question 11

Sensory impairments are also prevalent in people with Autism. What is the percentage?

Answer 11

65-95%

Question 12

What sensory difficulties are found in people with Autism?

Answer 12

Proprioceptive impairment
Synaesthesia- one sensory modality triggers another
Difficulties processing biological motion

Question 13

What two other things are sensory difficulties associated with?

Answer 13

Repetitive behaviours ( RRB’s) and anxiety

Question 14

Sensory and motor difficulties are intrinsically connected. They impact on anxiety and intolerance of…

Answer 14

uncertainty

Question 15

What are some sensorimotor difficulties seen in those with Autism?

Answer 15

Slower to initiate eye movement which could explain delay in looking to pertinent social cues. &
Difficulties coordinating hand and eye movements

Question 16

What can explain why the presence of a visual distractor doesn’t impact performance of children with autism like typical controls?

Answer 16

Autistic people have difficulty integrating visual information into motor learning

Question 17

Considering Gowen and Hamilton’s sensorimotor action model, how would this model be impaired in people with Autism?

Answer 17

Difficulty incorporating sensory feedback into the forward model.

The forward model is impaired and this would result in inaccuracy and inflexibility.

Question 18

People with autism can learn new motor skills and modify the forward model but…

Answer 18

it takes longer

Question 19

Modifying the forward model in people with autism improves with age. This explains why…

Answer 19

adults are more susceptible to the rubber hand illusion

Question 20

What part of the brain is involved in sensorimotor integration? & What neurotransmitter is affected?

Answer 20

Cerebellum & GABA

Question 21

People with Autism inefficiently synthesise which neurotransmitter?

Answer 21

GABA