Internal Versus External Attentional Focus in Gross- and Fine-Motor Learning Among Children With Autism Requiring Ongoing Everyday Support

This study examined how different attentional focus instructions affect motor learning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children were randomly assigned to practice motor tasks using either external focus instructions, which directed attention toward the goal or outcome of the movement, or internal focus instructions, which directed attention toward body movements. Participants practiced both a gross motor task (basketball shooting) and a fine motor task (digital maze tracing) over three training sessions. Motor performance, retention, and transfer were assessed before and after training and at follow-up, and their relationships with sensory and cognitive characteristics were also explored.