By: Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues – Post PhD in Neurosciences , member of the Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom.
When language delays occur in children, fine motor delays are also common. If both delays are accompanied by cognitive deficits, there are several possible causes and conditions. However, when language and fine motor delays are associated with cognitive advancement—with greater abstract logical reasoning, mathematical ability, advanced metacognition, high conscientiousness, and a keen instinct—this suggests a phenomenon of neural compensation. In this case, specific areas of the brain, such as the rostral prefrontal cortex and other subregions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, and the ventromedial cortex, in addition to the robust connection with the anterior cingulate cortex, are shown to be more developed, compensating for functional deficits in the motor and language regions. This phenomenon of neuroplasticity allows these subregions of the frontal lobe to take on compensatory functions, enhancing advanced cognitive abilities to compensate for the difficulties in the motor and language areas.
The interdependence between motor and language development occurs because motor brain areas (such as the motor cortex and cerebellum) and language areas (such as Broca’s and Wernicke’s) are interconnected by circuits that coordinate the motor control of speech muscles and the planning of fine movements. This allows sensorimotor integration, which is crucial for the synchronized execution of precise movements and language skills.
This type of case is common in autistic individuals, as many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have deficits in specific areas, such as Broca’s area and the angular gyrus , related to language, and also in the primary motor area and the cerebellum , responsible for fine motor coordination. These deficits can impair both speech and the execution of fine movements. However, for some people with ASD, a compensatory system occurs through neuroplasticity , in which more anterior regions of the frontal lobe, such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex , the ventromedial cortex , and the orbitofrontal cortex , develop more robustly. These areas are associated with logical reasoning skills, abstract thinking, and metacognitive processes, helping to compensate for deficits in the regions related to language and motor skills. The anterior cingulate cortex , which contributes to emotional self-regulation and decision-making, may also be more connected, contributing to the development of other forms of advanced cognitive processing, even in the face of motor and language difficulties .
In these cases, when the child is young, it is essential to carefully observe their development, using strategies and activities that help balance the focus not only on the delay, but also on strengthening the regions that have developed to compensate. If the biological effect of neuroplasticity is in action, there is a good chance that it will be effective. It is important to pay attention to how the child interprets people’s emotions, analyzing whether their interactions are based on trust or distrust, and whether they behave differently with people they know and don’t know. It is also important to observe the level of empathy they demonstrate with close people compared to those outside their circle, to assess the possibility of being on the autistic spectrum. In addition, signs such as discomfort with certain textures — whether in food, clothes (such as labels), among others —, repeating the same programs or cartoons, and hyperfocus on certain toys or activities are important aspects for a more complete interpretation of their development.
The descriptions in this text raise the hypothesis that some children, even those who show mild signs of being on the autistic spectrum, may have the potential for giftedness, especially from the second or third childhood onwards. These observations suggest that, even with characteristics of ASD, these children may demonstrate advanced cognitive development as they grow, revealing exceptional abilities over time. In the second or third childhood, because neuroplasticity is constantly developing, the IQ of these children may gradually increase, further reinforcing their potential for high abilities and giftedness.
