Abstract
Research on motor imagery (MI) in non-autistic individuals suggests shared neural circuitries between MI and execution. The relationship between imagined and executed movements, MI use, and the connection between MI and motor coordination difficulties in autistic adults is poorly understood. This study explored autistic and non-autistic adults’ understanding and prior use of MI, as well as their subjective experiences during MI. Twenty autistic and twenty non-autistic individuals responded to questions probing their understanding and prior use of MI. Participants then completed a modified version of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ), where they reported on their subjective experiences during the MI portion of the questionnaire. Although there were no significant differences between the autistic and non-autistic individuals in their understanding of MI, the non-autistic group may have more prior use of MI in their everyday lives. The autistic group reported less vivid imagery on the KVIQ compared to the non-autistic group, though both groups reported diverse experiences during both VI and KI ranging from vivid/intense images to the inability to imagine. Varied interpretations of the KVIQ instructions were also apparent across both groups, as indicated by the array of imagery strategies reported by the participants. In summary, some autistic people seem to be able to engage in MI, but like their non-autistic counterparts, MI ability and the associated experiences vary across individuals. This work has important implications for MI interventions, whereby tailored approaches addressing individual differences in MI capacity could potentially enhance therapeutic outcomes for motor coordination challenges.
