Playing games can improve physical performance in children with autism

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by social communication deficits and stereotyped behaviors.
• Children with ASD often have limited opportunities for physical activity (PA), contributing to decreased fitness and potential health issues.
• Developing motor skills (MS) is crucial for overall well-being and participation in physical activities for children with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two distinct physical activity programs on the motor skill development of children with high-functioning autism.
• To evaluate the impact of the 'I can have physical literacy' (ICPL) and Sport, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) programs on motor skills.

Main Methods:

• Thirty high-functioning children diagnosed with ASD were randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group.
• Experimental groups participated in sixteen 60-minute sessions of either the ICPL or SPARK program.
• The Brininx-Oresetsky Test (BOT) was used for motor skill assessment, with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and post-hoc tests employed for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Both the ICPL and SPARK intervention groups demonstrated significant increases in overall motor skills (MS).
• Significant improvements were observed in gross motor skills for both experimental groups compared to the control.
• The ICPL program showed significant differences compared to the control group and also compared to the SPARK program, indicating its specific benefits.

Conclusions:

• Both the ICPL and SPARK programs are effective in enhancing motor skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.
• The ICPL program, specifically designed to accommodate the characteristics of children with ASD, yielded notable positive effects on their motor skill development.
• Targeted physical activity interventions can positively impact the physical and developmental trajectories of children with ASD.