About

Brittany Travers is an Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her educational background includes a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Alabama, completed in 2011, and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2013. Her research focuses on understanding motor challenges, balance, and neurobiological correlates in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. She investigates how balance training and video game interventions can influence neurobiological and behavioral outcomes in autism, contributing to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. Travers has authored numerous publications exploring brain structure, motor development, and behavioral assessments in autism, and has presented her work at various academic forums. She has received several awards and honors, including the Young Investigator Award from the International Society for Autism Research and recognition as a Teaching Academy Fellow at UW–Madison. Her work emphasizes the integration of neurobiological, behavioral, and technological methods to improve understanding and intervention strategies for autism spectrum disorder.

Research topics

• Evolutionary biology
• Biology
• Genetics
• Computational biology
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Psychology
• Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Audiology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical psychology
• Developmental psychology

Selected publications

• Motor Performance in Autistic Youth From Childhood Through Adolescence: Evidence for Both Sustained and Widening Group Differences

  Autism Research · 2026-03-05 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Although motor-skill differences in autistic individuals are well established, there is diverging evidence regarding what happens to motor skills in autistic children as they become adolescents. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we examined fine and gross motor skills and grip strength of 187 autistic participants and 136 non-autistic participants (i.e., with no known diagnoses), aged 6-18 years-old. Participants completed the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form, Second Edition (BOT-2 SF), and maximal grip strength testing. Linear mixed-effects regression analyses indicated motor-skill differences between autistic and non-autistic participants across this age range; however, the nature of these differences depended on the specific motor domain (i.e., strength) and measure. Specifically, grip strength and BOT-2 SF strength subtest scores showed widening group differences with increasing age, whereas overall BOT-2 SF scores and subtests showed sustained or narrowing group differences through adolescence. However, items on the BOT-2 SF also demonstrated substantial ceiling effects, which may obscure later group differences between autistic and non-autistic participants and highlight the need for measures that encompass a greater range of motor skills into adolescence. These findings have important implications for healthcare, education, and community supports that address age-related motor differences within the autistic population.

  PublisherDOI

• Cerebral Cortex Morphometry and Relaxometry in Male Children With Fragile X Syndrome and Autism

  Brain and Behavior · 2026-04-30

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: An estimated 30%-50% of male individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), indicating phenotypic overlap but potentially distinct neurobiology. Here, we aimed to characterize shared and divergent cortical features between FXS and ASD. METHOD: High-resolution, motion-corrected quantitative MRI was used to compare cortical morphometry and relaxometry in 61 male participants (9-18 years) with FXS or ASD. To increase power, ASD participants were pooled from multiple MPnRAGE studies and harmonized across protocols using ComBat. Cortical thickness and R1 (longitudinal relaxation rate; proxy for myelination) were computed across the cerebral cortex. FINDING: Relative to ASD, FXS exhibited greater cortical thickness predominantly in early sensory cortices implicated in low-level visual and auditory processing spanning occipital, parietal, and temporal regions. No significant group differences in R1 were found. CONCLUSION: Thicker cortex in FXS within primary and early associative sensory areas suggests divergent early sensory processing mechanisms between FXS and ASD. Characterizing different neuroanatomical features between the two disorders provides a grounding to develop more disorder-specific interventions despite similar behavioral difficulties. Future work should test developmental trajectories, include females and comorbidities, and link imaging markers to individual sensory/clinical profiles to inform and improve personalized therapies and interventions.

  PublisherDOI

• Motor Rainsuit Assessment During Dressing (M-Rad): Towards Mechanistic Quantification of Motor Features During Dressing

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2025-01-01

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Self‐Navigated, Retrospective, Data‐Consistent Motion Correction for MPnRAGE

  Magnetic Resonance in Medicine · 2025-10-13

  articleOpen access

  ABSTRACT Purpose To extend and automate a data‐consistent, self‐navigated motion‐correction method for 3D radial T1‐weighted imaging. Methods This method incorporated rigid‐body motion effects into the forward model, solving for parameters that maximize consistency with the data. The method was tested on five datasets with a range of motion types and severities. A separate collection of datasets was used to study the effect that the method has on the test‐retest reliability of cortical thickness estimates. Results Image quality was improved across a wide range of distinct motion types, including some cases that would have been unusable if left uncorrected. The error‐based weighting scheme and the increased timing resolution afforded by the proposed method were especially useful in cases of extreme and rapid motions. Moreover, the method improved test‐retest reliability of cortical thickness measures in pediatric subjects, decreasing the average coefficient of variation from in uncorrected images (with freesurfer failing on one subject) down to for images corrected at timing resolution and when corrected at faster temporal rates. Conclusion This method was found to be effective when used on T1‐weighted radial data, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The fine‐scale timing resolution and error‐based weighting afforded by this technique will likely provide only a small benefit, unless one is investigating motion‐prone populations or is searching for a very small effect size.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Motor Performance in Autistic Youth from Childhood through Adolescence: Evidence for both Sustained and Widening Group Differences

  Open MIND · 2025-07-09

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Although motor-skill differences in autistic individuals are well established, there is diverging evidence regarding what happens to motor skills in autistic children as they become adolescents. Using both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we examined fine and gross motor skills and grip strength of 187 autistic participants and 136 non-autistic participants (i.e., with no known diagnoses), aged 6-18 years-old. Participants completed the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form, Second Edition (BOT-2 SF), and maximal grip strength testing. Linear mixed-effects regression analyses indicated motor-skill differences between autistic and non-autistic participants across this age range; however, the nature of these differences depended on the specific motor domain (i.e., strength) and measure. Specifically, grip strength and BOT-2 SF strength subtest scores showed widening group differences with increasing age, whereas overall BOT-2 SF scores and subtests showed sustained or narrowing group differences through adolescence. However, items on the BOT-2 SF also demonstrated substantial ceiling effects, which may obscure later group differences between autistic and non-autistic participants and highlight the need for measures that encompass a greater range of motor skills into adolescence. These findings have important implications for healthcare, education, and community supports that address age-related motor differences within the autistic population.

  OA PDFDOI

• Application of Sensory Subtypes: Understanding Core Autism Features, Adaptive Behaviors, and Motor Skills in Autistic Children

  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · 2025-08-13 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Sensory processing differences are prevalent among autistic children impacting their participation in daily activities. Sensory subtypes provide a useful approach to understand these differences, as sensory response patterns often co-occur. The purpose of this paper is to apply existing sensory subtype methodology to examine the four sensory subtypes' association with child outcome measures. Autistic children (n = 118) ages 6-18 years old were grouped into four sensory subtypes of mild, sensitive-distressed, attenuated-preoccupied, and extreme-mixed. This study examined associations among the four sensory subtypes and motor skills, core autism features, and adaptive behaviors. Most children were categorized into the mild (n = 53) and sensitive-distressed (n = 45) subtype with very few children falling in the attenuated-preoccupied (n = 9) and extreme-mixed subtype (n = 11). The four subtypes had group differences identified for motor skills, core autism features, and adaptive behaviors. The mild and attenuated-preoccupied had higher motor skills compared to the sensitive-distressed and extreme-mixed subtype. The extreme-mixed subtype had more core autism features, and lower adaptive behavior compared to the mild subtype. Sensory subtypes exhibit differential associations to child outcome measures for autistic children ages 6-18 years old. Understanding these relationships may provide an opportunity for earlier, targeted interventions to address the role sensory differences play in daily activities.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Quality of Life in Autistic Children: Discrepancies Between Self‐ and Caregiver‐Proxy Reports and Associations With Individual Characteristics

  Autism Research · 2025-08-18 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Quality of life (QoL) is important for everyone and has been identified as a priority for autistic people. However, studies typically focus on caregiver-proxy-reported QoL and its related individual characteristics, even though self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL may differ in autistic children. In 74 autistic children (5.04-10.99 years old, intelligence quotient [IQ] 47-141), we sought to determine the level of agreement between self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL and determine if self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL are differently related to personal characteristics such as age, IQ, autism features, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) features, sleep difficulties, and sensory features. Findings suggested poor inter-rater agreement (ICC = 0.16) between self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL. Across both self- and caregiver-proxy reports, sensory features and sleep difficulties related to QoL, but age and IQ did not. We also found an interaction effect of reporter on the relation between QoL and both autism and ADHD features, with these associations driven by caregiver-proxy-reported QoL. These findings emphasize the importance of measuring both self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL to provide complementary perspectives. Moreover, these results underscore the importance of understanding a child's sensory features and sleep difficulties, as these two areas were similarly related to both self- and caregiver-proxy-reported QoL.

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• Prevalence of Motor Milestone Delays in Autistic Children

  JAMA Pediatrics · 2025-04-14 · 6 citations

  articleOpen access

  Importance: Prior literature has explored the prevalence of motor impairments in autistic individuals, but estimates come from clinical, convenience, or small samples, limiting generalizability. Better understanding of the frequency of motor milestone delays in autistic individuals could improve early identification and subsequently lead to earlier intervention and better developmental outcomes. Objective: To determine the prevalence of motor milestone delays in a population-based sample of 8-year-old autistic children and to evaluate if having motor milestone delays is associated with an earlier age at autism evaluation or diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study of autistic 8-year-old children was conducted using Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network data between surveillance years 2000 and 2016. ADDM Network data are population based and are drawn from 17 sites across the US. Data were analyzed from October 2023 to August 2024. Exposure: Binary indicator of motor milestone delays documented in health or educational records. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the prevalence of motor milestone delays among autistic 8-year-old children. Associations between motor milestone delays and age at autism evaluation or diagnosis were evaluated using linear regression. Covariates included study site, surveillance year, the number of autism discriminators, intellectual disability, child sex, and child race and ethnicity. Results: Among 32 850 children aged 8 years identified with autism by active surveillance, 23 481 children (71.5%) met criteria for motor milestone delays. A total of 5973 children (18.2%) were female. In linear regression models, children with motor milestone delays were evaluated for autism significantly earlier (mean age, 43.65 months; 95% CI, 43.38-43.91) than children without motor milestone delays (mean age, 51.64 months; 95% CI, 51.22-52.06). After stratifying by the co-occurrence of intellectual disability (ID), children with motor milestone delays were evaluated for autism earlier than those without motor milestone delays, regardless of ID. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study estimates the prevalence of motor milestone delays among autistic 8-year-old children and highlights the association between these delays and an earlier autism evaluation, even in children without co-occurring ID. Early identification of autism is a public health priority, and assessing motor milestone delays, particularly in children with an increased likelihood of being autistic, may facilitate an earlier autism evaluation, leading to more timely interventions and better developmental outcomes.

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• Editorial: Autism: the movement (sensing) perspective a decade later

  Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience · 2025-06-19 · 2 citations

  editorialOpen access

  The 2025 RT Autism: The Movement (Sensing) Perspective a Decade Later, comprises 28 articles by over 100 authors. They include one Opinion Piece, one Perspective article, one Review article, three Systematic Review articles, four Hypothesis and Theory articles, and 18 original research articles. The authors come from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, but they are united in their commitment to autism. They are scientists, parents, self-advocates, and entrepreneurs helping improve research by contributing to the funding and dissemination of scientific and technological advancements. Together, we aim to accelerate the translation of our science and technology into direct applications that can benefit autistic individuals, their families, and society by identifying novel methods for assessing movement, uncovering behavioral and neurobiological correlates of movement, and discovering effective and promising treatment options.Novel Methods of Assessing and Detecting Movement (Sensing) Differences in Autism Novel methods for detecting movement differences from infancy through adulthood are presented in this RT. In "Infants on the move: bibliometric analyses of observational vs. digital means of screening infant development" by Varkey et al. [2], the authors survey the literature on important observational methods from Pediatrics that track very early motor neurodevelopment through the general movements theory. They flag differences that are identifiable much earlier than when basing assessment on social or emotional criteria, as these develop and stabilize much later. New digitized versions of such traditional observational methods are uncovered by this bibliometric study, pointing to a fast-growing literature that demonstrates the potential scalability of new technologies and the rapidly growing need for adopting clinically informed digital biometrics. In "A comparative study on fundamental movement skills among children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children aged [7][8][9][10][3] we appreciate the importance of tracking motor issues as core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, rather than as mere comorbidities secondary to social and communication differences.In understanding how best to measure movement differences in the context of an autism diagnosis, Bermperidis et al. redefine the concept of socio-motor agency by balancing bodily motor autonomy from the bottom up with top-down motor control. This is done in the context of the type of social dance that emerges when two agents interact socially during the administration of the very test that defines autism for research purposes. The digitized version of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (version ADOS-2) is presented on the original research article "Digital screener of socio-motor agency balancing motor autonomy and motor control" [4]. Here, new analytical methods are offered to significantly reduce the test administration time from an hour to merely 10 minutes, making it less taxing on both the person receiving the diagnosis and the clinician administering and scoring the test. The work further demonstrates how the motor code can automatically differentiate males from females and through machine learning (ML) techniques, automate the process of diagnosing autism through brief socio-motor assays.Automation in detecting motor differences using ML methods is also appreciated in the original research article "Machine learning's effectiveness in evaluating movement in one-legged standing test for predicting high autistic trait" by Ohmoto et al. [5]. When combined with video, this popular balance test revealed specific features that enhance the automatic detection of autistic motor traits in the general population, with a focus on the shoulder and waist areas. Similarly, following the generality of movement differences across the human spectrum, the original research article entitled "Level of autistic traits in neurotypical adults predicts kinematic idiosyncrasies in their biological movements" by Lewis et al. [6], uses kinematic analysis to reveal movement differences that influence socio-motor behaviors in general. The authors suggest that "autistic traits may intricately influence the movement expressions at the microlevel, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the potential endophenotypic characteristics associated with social movements in neurotypical individuals."Moving beyond whole-body movement measures, "Decreased wrist rotation imitation abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder" by Liu et al. [7] tests an ecologically informed motor task that requires the imitation of wrist rotations using low-cost wearable inertial sensors. The study found shorter total wrist rotation time, lower rotation amplitude, and weaker rotation symmetry in autistic children, suggestive of fine motor movement differences in autism. Examining facial movements, Torres et al., present brief, fully automated and highly scalable assays to measure facial micro-motions in autistics and neurotypicals using apps in smartphones and tablets. "Hidden social and emotional competencies in autism spectrum disorders captured through the digital lens" [8], opens new ways to more naturally, frequently and comfortably quantify social and emotional predispositions of autistic individuals by focusing on motor nuances that currently escape the naked eye. This original research article leverages the recent digital revolution to provide a unifying platform for studying natural biorhythmic motions recorded using simple, affordable, and ubiquitous means.Further delving into the current issues that Technological advances address, the perspective piece entitled "Unlocking autism's complexity: the Move Initiative's path to comprehensive motor function analysis" by Good and Horn [9], provides a roadmap for Citizen Science in collaboration with academia and industry to accelerate the translation of the science to practical settings, while recognizing the nuances of behavioral exchanges that transpire largely beneath awareness and yet, seem to be the critical ingredient in fostering interpersonal connection. "The Move seeks to accelerate the integration of the expanding knowledge base into widespread practice. Deep, longitudinal, multi-modal profiling of individuals with autism spectrum disorder offers an opportunity to address gaps in current data and methods, enabling new avenues of inquiry and a more comprehensive understanding of this complex, heterogeneous condition."The articles in this RT also demonstrate the associations between movement, the brain, and other elements of cognition or daily functioning. In "Beyond words: an investigation of fine motor skills and the verbal communication spectrum in autism" by Simarro Gonzalez et al., [10] and "The relation between specific motor skills and daily living skills in autistic children and adolescents" by Skaletski et al., [11], fine motor skills are shown to relate to speaking abilities and daily living skills in autism. In "The relationship between executive function and the association of motor coordination difficulties and social communication deficits in autistic children" by Gu et al.,[12] the commonly found association between motor skills and social communication was found to be partially mediated by executive function, highlighting the important intersection of movement, cognition, and social communication in this population.In examining neurobiological correlates of hand grip strength, the original research article entitled "Microstructural neural correlates of maximal grip strength in autistic children: the role of the corticocerebellar network and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder features" by Surgent et al., [13] provides important insights on the role of the cerebellum for feedback-based control, planning and prediction, so relevant to the notion of internal models for action. Importantly, this paper extends the issues in motor control from autism to other disorders of the nervous systems that co-exist today with the autism diagnosis, owing in part to the change from DSM IV to DSM-5 criteria. Specifically, we see an increase in the prevalence of motor and sensory issues in autism with the inclusion of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the ever-broadening spectrum. This adds to the spectrum other related movement disorders that accompany ADHD (e.g., Tourette's syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorders).Finally, in "Motor imagery in autism: a systematic review" Gowen et al. [14] raise awareness of the extensive psychological literature on mental chronometry and mental imagery as a possible avenue for investigating movement differences in autism. The piece highlights the importance of the methods and the need to develop and adapt new assays that could help us better understand MI in autistic individuals. Gowen et al. invite the development of full batteries for explicit and implicit MI tasks, an effort that would advance our understanding of elements of MI that may be affected in autism and the therapeutic potential of MI in these populations. Highly relevant to this proposition is the need to bridge mental imagery with physical exercise, as various new emerging therapies are based on physical movements that require their mental representations, planning, and rehearsals, mediated by the biorhythms of our multilayered, multifunctional motionsThis RT provides insights into current and novel therapeutic approaches based on the movement (sensing) literature, examining evidence for the impact of physical exercise interventions as well as the theoretical basis for other therapies that tap into synchronized movements and involve dyadic and group interactions.The influence of physical exercise with therapeutic value for improving movement-based feedback, enhancing social interactions, and communication are described across three systematic reviews. "Analyzing the influence of physical exercise interventions on social skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: insights from meta-analysis" by Sung Hee Koh [15] provides evidence for the importance of physical exercise in autism specifically in helping with differences in social interactions and communication, while considering both age appropriateness and duration of the intervention. "The impact of physical exercise interventions on social, behavioral, and motor skills in children with autism: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials" by Wang et al. [16], points out the benefits of physical exercise for cognitive control, mental flexibility and overall social skills, with direct application to these differences in autistic children. They highlight evidence from the literature that supports the need for personalized interventions and emphasizes the importance of considering age as a key factor in designing outcome measures. The work also emphasizes the need for larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups to confirm the generalization, permanency, and transfer of the beneficial effects from the therapeutic context to daily life. "A network meta-analysis of the effect of physical exercise on core symptoms in patients with autism spectrum disorders" by Li et al. [17], compares the effects of different sports programs on symptomatology of autism described at the level of social interactions. Importantly, this systematic review of the literature underscores the selectivity of different types of exercise programs for enhancing specific aspects of social interactions and communication. These reviews are complemented by findings of the beneficial effects of physical exercise which extend from individual to group sports in the research article entitled "Effects of group sports activities on physical activity and social interaction abilities of children with autism spectrum disorders" by Xing et al., [18].In physical exercise and other social interactions, we can appreciate the role of dyadic movements in the self-discovery of goals that improve social timing and communication. New emerging therapies that rely on the natural rhythms of bodies in motion may enhance bodily awareness through cooperative settings where the therapist guides the person without enforcing a top-down, preconceived plan. Using different time scales that may range from those mediated by rich musical exercises in Neurological Music therapy (NMT), to slow, interactive rhythms sensed together but set by the autistic person's natural pace, these therapies hold promise as they are adapted from general movement disorders to autism settings. Already enjoying great popularity in other fields, they bring new elements to the autism realm. The therapist enables spontaneous resonance of the two bodies in motion and self-discovery of mutual empathy, promoting selfconfidence and better coordination and control of their integrated rhythms. This shared give-and-take of rhythmic energy between two people, across therapeutic styles, positions the new emerging therapeutic methods as promising candidates for the development of healthier social mind-body relations in general. In autism, they empower the person's autonomy and bring a new level of emotional well-being that current behavioral therapies in the US severely lack. Further work under controlled conditions may be necessary to fully understand the optimal use of such interventions and maximize their benefits. Indeed, the community delivering the most prevalent intervention for autism in the US (enjoying medical insurance coverage) is asking for change, seeking to update their behaviorist approaches from the 1950s. Rooted in Skinner's animal conditioning principles, they lack scientific proof demonstrating their efficacy in human neurodevelopment. The rather archaic methods, so prevalent in autism, are finding resistance within their own accredited therapists who report an increasing sense of futility and frustration about what they do. The Board-Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBAs) in the state of New Jersey and across the United States are themselves scrutinizing the practice of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Graduates of the therapy that is offered by default across the schools in the US who reach 21 years of age and exit the school system report symptoms of PTSD and distress. Meanwhile, the therapists themselves report that they would welcome new digital technologies to better serve their clients in a fast-changing landscape of therapies under a business model that is uniquely failing their clients but has little incentive to improve. A new generation of therapies in the US that do not receive medical insurance coverage yet are persuading families of their effectiveness and organically pulling them away from ABA. Torres et al., present the results of surveys that the BCBAs themselves designed and deployed, revealing the dawn of a new era in autism treatments. This is presented in the original research article entitled "The time is ripe for the renaissance of autism treatments: evidence from clinical practitioners" [19]."A handbook for Rhythmic Relating in autism: supporting social timing in play, learning and therapy" by Daniel et al., [20] details new ways to support play, learning, and therapy with young autistic children, unconventional communicators, and autistic people who have additional learning needs. By following the form of vitality in movement created through reciprocal play, Daniel et al. provide core foundations for practitioners and parents to help build rapport and connection by sharing meaning in movement.LaGasse et al., [21] present a hypothesis theory piece entitled, "Rhythm and music for promoting sensorimotor organization in autism: broader implications for outcomes". This includes first-hand experiences by a self-advocate that alerts us to the beneficial elements of this form of therapy. Richard Williams et al., provide evidence for pre-vs. post-NMT improvements of motor control in "Improved motor skills in autistic children after three weeks of neurologic music therapy via telehealth: a pilot study" [22]. Importantly, in this original research article, the authors successfully use telehealth as a promising new avenue to scale the research and practices related to NMT. Broadly in support of the use of auditory cueing during NMT, Richard Williams et al. also provided evidence that augmented auditory feedback decreased motor variability in autistic participants in "Auditory feedback decreases timing variability for discontinuous and continuous motor tasks in autistic adults" [23].Further beneficial aspects of leveraging the biorhythmic activities of the nervous system are presented in a research article entitled "Evidence of mutual non-verbal synchrony in learners with severe learning disability and autism, and their support workers: a motion energy analysis study" by Glass and Yuill [24]. Contrary to traditional views, the authors here highlight the capacity of high-support autistics and nonspeakers to facilitate interpersonal motor synchrony while learning through rhythmic interactions, a theme also supported in "Bridging the gap: fostering interactive stimming between non-speaking autistic children and their parents" by Chen [25]. In this original research article, the author tracks three non-speaking children and their mothers during interactive rhythmic therapy, which is mediated by touch, music, and the self-generated stimming motions of the children. By promoting the children's autonomy, they anchor the starting point in stimming and expand their gestural repertoire from there, significantly improving interactions with their mothers. Through sounds coupled to their bodily motions, they open the repertoire of communicative gestures, co-creating sensory experiences in multisensory environments. This paper demonstrates the therapeutic and pedagogical benefits of embracing various modes of communication, particularly when they leverage the autistic person's self-discovered movement-sensing compensatory strategies.Music and the rhythms of one's own body shared with the rhythms of other bodies in motion promote better timing and coordination, often enhanced by touch, mediated by sounds, and a mixture of spontaneous and deliberate actions. These improvements, which lead to better social timing, are systematically achieved and amplified by another family of therapies by et al. in to mutual through movement as a novel path for the of better in In this hypothesis theory article, the authors two and the and the These popular in and among other movement disorders, aim to enhance bodily as participants improve their sense of This yet of our motor control and coordination is often owing to body of work a full awareness of possible ways to the person's and the of self-generated motions, in the context of with the and as a of a in and in these various of therapies new ways to the biorhythmic body and bring awareness of body to the person's through By new movement to the at a and by so at an pace, the to and track the of the movements that it and the of bodies in is in this of one's own sensed bodily that one can anchor the timing of the of one's own These in with the of the motions of in the that is to one's own In NMT, rhythms help the person the of and the physical interaction with during exercise also with the of the in the and the emerges from within while learning to bring attention to the Together, these therapies adapted to autism bring a new era in the treatment of nervous system both during neurodevelopment and such benefits to other learning and cognitive can also be appreciated across original research articles in the research results pointing out movement differences in autism to their into medical that the growing body of scientific evidence supporting the need to motor points related to are in the original research article entitled and to as by autistic a study by et The work and to as by autistic nuanced from autistic adults themselves and highlighting their of and to their interactions with the In the very of the results insights for improving the and of for autistic people, of which are and to also the of experiences and for autistic highlighting the importance of in the the articles in this RT provide new insights into movement associated and therapeutic In the article, we come full with who our RT and highlights of a grip on autism" Through the of and offers a of what movements and their can do for Indeed, our is an Autism that at the movement-sensing

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• Widespread alterations in white matter microstructure in autism: A multilevel meta-analysis

  Research Square · 2025-09-23

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Waisman Center Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center

  NIH · $12.3M · 2021–2027

• Brainstem Contributions to Sensorimotor and Core Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

  NIH · $2.8M · 2018–2029

Frequent coauthors

• Nicholas Lange

  Harvard University

  29 shared

• Andrew L. Alexander

  29 shared

• Erin D. Bigler

  Brigham Young University

  25 shared

• Brandon A. Zielinski

  21 shared

• Janet E. Lainhart

  20 shared

• Molly B. D. Prigge

  17 shared

• Alyson Froehlich

  University of Utah

  17 shared

• Olivia Surgent

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  16 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Kinesiology

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  2010

• M.S., Kinesiology

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  2006

• B.S., Kinesiology

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  2004

Awards & honors

• Research Finalist, WARF innovation Awards (WIA) Competition…
• Teaching Academy Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison (20…
• Austin Faculty Fellow, School of Education, University of Wi…
• Second most-cited Autism Research article over a five-year p…
• Nominated for Undergraduate Mentor Award, University of Wisc…