THE INTERFACE BETWEEN GLOBAL MUSCLE TONE AND COMMUNICATION IN THE CONTEXT OF MOTOR PLANNING DEFICITS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)

Abstract

Child development involves the integration of motor, cognitive, and communicative aspects, with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) being a condition that can significantly compromise these areas. Among the frequently observed alterations, deficits in motor planning and alterations in overall muscle tone stand out, which can directly impact the organization of movements and, consequently, the child's functional communication. Motor planning is essential for the execution of coordinated actions, including the movements necessary for speech and communicative expression, while muscle tone forms the basis for postural control and body stability. In this context, the relationship between tone, motor planning, and communication becomes relevant for understanding the difficulties presented by children with ASD. This study aimed to analyze the interface between overall muscle tone and communication, considering motor planning deficits in children with ASD. This is a descriptive, qualitative literature review based on the analysis of studies published between 2020 and 2025 in the Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library databases. Scientific articles addressing aspects related to muscle tone, motor planning, and communication in ASD were included. The results showed that alterations in muscle tone, such as hypotonia, can compromise postural control and motor coordination, hindering the execution of precise movements necessary for speech and nonverbal communication. Furthermore, deficits in motor planning, frequently associated with apraxia of speech, impact the organization and sequencing of movements, directly interfering with speech production and functional communication. It was also observed that the integration between motor and communicative aspects is fundamental for the child's overall development, requiring a therapeutic approach that considers these interrelationships. It is concluded that overall muscle tone and motor planning play an essential role in the communication of children with ASD, making it imperative that speech-language pathology intervention considers these aspects in an integrated manner. The importance of studies that further explore this interface is highlighted, contributing to more effective and evidence-based clinical practices.