In a new study looking at toddlers and preschoolers with autism, Dr. Megan MacDonald, assistant professor of movement studies in disability and lead author from Oregon State University found that children with better motor skills were more adept at socializing and communicating. Published online in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, this study adds to the growing evidence of the important link between autism and motor skill deficits. “Even at this early age, we are already seeing motor skills mapping on to their social and communicative skills,” Dr. MacDonald said. “Motor skills are embedded in everything we do, and for too long they have been studied separately from social and communication skills in children with autism.”