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Ataxia

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Synonyms

Dystaxia

Definition

Unsteady gait. The term ataxia refers to lack of coordination of motor movements. Ataxia typically arises due to some dysfunction within the central nervous system. It has many different causes, e.g., it can be a sign of dysfunction in the cerebellum (where it usually would be associated with various other difficulties). Other causes can relate to effects of drugs or other substances and problems with the vestibular system and and other parts of the brain. Medications given to control seizures are a common cause of ataxia; abuse of some substances (e.g., alcohol) may also lead to ataxia.

Ataxia can also arise as a result of a deficiency in vitamin B12, exposure to certain toxic agents, and so forth. Problems in the peripheral nervous system can also be associated with ataxia. Certain inherited (genetic) disorders can also lead to ataxia.

In autism, problems in posture and gait are relatively common. Problems with clinically significant ataxia often are...

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References and Reading

  • Rinehart, N. J., Tonge, B. J., et al. (2006). Gait function in newly diagnosed children with autism: Cerebellar and basal ganglia related motor disorder. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 48(10), 819–824.

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  • Tachi, N., Kozuka, N., et al. (2000). Hereditary cerebellar ataxia with peripheral neuropathy and mental retardation. European Neurology, 43(2), 82–87.

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  • VanAcker, R., Loncola, J. A., et al. (2005). Rett syndrome: A pervasive developmental disorder. In F. R. Volkmar, A. Klin, R. Paul, & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism and pervasive developmental disorders (Vol. 1, pp. 126–164). Hoboken: Wiley.

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  • Volkmar, F. R., & Wiesner, L. A. (2009). A practical guide to Autism: What every parent, teacher and family member needs to know. Hoboken: Wiley.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child Study Center, Irving B. Harris Professor of Child Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Psychology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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  1. Fred R. Volkmar
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Correspondence to Fred R. Volkmar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Volkmar, F.R. (2020). Ataxia. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1828-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_1828-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6435-8

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