AN AUTOMATED ELECTRONIC METHOD FOR QUANTIFYING SPINNING (CIRCLING) INCHILDREN WITH AUTISTIC DISORDER

This pilot study examined and quantified rotational asymmetry (the ten dency to turn preferentially to the right or left side). An automated device was used to measure turning (circling) in 9 children with autis m and 27 normal control subjects and confirmed clinical observations o f stereotypical spinning behavior in patients with autism. This behavi or wits significantly preferential toward the left side relative to co ntrol subjects (P = 0.0009, two-tailed). Group membership accounted fo r approximately 40% of variance. Although the precise causes of autism are not known, these preliminary data suggest that the spinning behav ior often seen in children with neurodevelopmental disorders can be re liably measured. Furthermore, spinning in autism may most often manife st as specific right-hemispace neglect.