Developing Overhand Throwing Skills for a Child With Autism With a Collaborative Approach in School-Based Therapy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Physical Therapy
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
• Behavioral Intervention

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often presents with motor skill deficits impacting participation in daily activities.
• School-based therapy provides a critical setting for intervention, yet multidisciplinary approaches are under-explored.

Observation:

• A 9-year-old child diagnosed with ASD received a 20-week intervention.
• The intervention integrated weekly physical therapy with daily applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques focused on improving overhand throwing skills.

Findings:

• The child showed marked improvements in throwing accuracy.
• Significant gains were observed in standardized motor assessments, including the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 and the Test of Gross Motor Development-2.
• The School Function Assessment also indicated positive changes in functional abilities.

Implications:

• This case report highlights the efficacy of a combined physical therapy and ABA approach in school settings.
• This multidisciplinary strategy can enhance motor learning and participation in recreational activities for children with ASD.
• The findings support the integration of behavioral and motor interventions for comprehensive pediatric care.