Balance differences in autistic young people remain uncertain
Autistic children and adolescents tended to perform worse on balance tests, but results varied across studies and confidence in the evidence was limited.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the included studies, autistic children and adolescents generally performed worse on balance assessments than typically developing peers. Observational tests and force platforms both detected differences, but results varied substantially. Low to very low evidence certainty limits confidence in the size and everyday meaning of those differences.
Evidence certainty was low to very low. The abstract says some estimates depended on individual studies and calls for stronger evidence about how assessments reflect everyday settings.
What researchers found
Balance performance on observational tests
Standardized mean difference for autistic participants versus typically developing peers; negative means poorer performance in autistic participants. Assessment timing was not reported in the abstract.
Different ways to measure balance
Observational assessments used validated movement tests, while force platforms measured body sway. These approaches assessed balance differently, so each estimate needs to be read in relation to the particular test and conditions.
Why estimates need caution
Results varied widely across studies. Some estimates from force platforms shifted when researchers tested individual studies' influence, making the precise size of a balance difference less certain than the overall pattern.
The original publication
Static and dynamic balance in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared with typically developing peers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Martín-Díaz P, Carratalá-Tejada M, Navarro-López V et al.
Eur J Pediatr · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41876864
- Record checked
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