Weighted vest effects on stride parameter variability in children with autism spectrum disorder

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have demonstrated differences in gait mechanics when compared to children with neurotypical (NT) development. A common intervention used to address the negative behavior associated with ASD is a weighted vest (WV). Contemporary research has revealed that WVs may decrease lower extremity segment coordination variability and jerky body movements in children with ASD during gait. However, little is known regarding WVs effects on displays of spatial-temporal (ST) variability in children with ASD, relative to unweighted walking. The current study analyzed ST parameter variability during walking while wearing a WV compared to unweighted walking. Findings revealed no differences in ST parameter variability, and all parameters had trivial-to-small effect sizes. This suggests that children with ASD do not alter their gait variability during walking with a WV.