01/28/2026
Sharing for Researchers at the Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Lab (NBD Lab) at the University of Florida...
Summary Reports
This report shares results from newly published research using data from Florida CARD and SPARK participants.
Selected Reference
ยท Qu, Hang, et al. Atypical postural control variability and coordination persist into middle and older adulthood in autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research (2025) 18: 752-764. PubMed.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40103348/
ยท Wang, Zheng, et al. Atypical Visually Guided Precision Grip Control in MiddleโAged and Older Autistic Adults. Autism Research (2025) 0:1โ18. PubMed.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41386770/
What were these studies about?
Many studies have shown that autistic children often move differently than non-autistic children. However, we know much less about what happens to these movement differences as autistic people grow older.
Researchers at the Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Lab (NBD Lab) https://nbd-lab.wixsite.com/mysite at the University of Florida studied movement and balance in autistic adults aged 30 years and older. The goal was to understand how aging affects motor skills, such as hand control and balance, so we can better support health, safety, and independence in autistic adults across adulthood.
How was the research done?
The NBD Lab studied more than 140 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 using the following tasks:
โข Grip force control: Participants squeezed a handheld device and tried to match a target force shown on a screen.
โข Balance and posture: Participants stood on a special platform and were asked to stand still or gently move their body forward, backward, or side to side.
These tasks helped researchers measure hand control, stability, and balance.
What did the researchers learn?
โข Grip force control: Autistic adults often squeezed harder than needed and had more difficulty keeping their grip steady over time. Some participants also let go of the grip sooner than expected. These grip differences were related to higher levels of repetitive behaviors in some autistic adults.
โข Balance and posture: When standing still, autistic adults swayed more than non-autistic adults. When asked to move their body back and forth, their movements were often less smooth and more โjerky,โ especially when changing direction.
What do these findings mean?
These results show that movement and balance differences seen in autistic children often continue into middle and older adulthood. Balance challenges, in particular, may increase the risk of falls as autistic adults age.
Dr. Zheng Wang (https://hhp.ufl.edu/directory/zheng-wang/), principal investigator of the NBD Lab, notes that exercises focused on strengthening the hips and ankles may help improve balance and reduce fall risk. These findings highlight the importance of developing movement-based programs designed specifically for autistic adults.
Whatโs next?
The research team will continue to follow autistic adults over time to better understand how movement and balance change with aging. Dr. Wang also encourages autistic adults to take part in research studies. She emphasizes that autism is a lifelong condition, and participation in research helps ensure that the needs of middle-aged and older autistic adults are recognized and addressed. โNothing about us without us.โ
The Neurocognitive and Behavioral Development Lab at the University of Florida strives to be the pioneer in understanding neurophysiological mechanisms underlying sensorimotor and neurocognitive issues in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan.
