The Effects of Structured Physical Activity Program on Social Interaction and Communication for Children with Autism

Mengxian Zhao, Shihui Chen, Mengxian Zhao, Shihui Chen

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of structured physical activity program on social interaction and communication of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Fifty children with ASD from a special school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. 25 children with ASD were placed in the experimental group, and the other 25 children as the control group participated in regular physical activity. A total of forty-one participants completed the study. A 12-week structured physical activity program was implemented with a total of 24 exercise sessions targeting social interaction and communication of children with ASD, and a quasi-experimental design was used for this study. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative instruments. SSIS and ABLLS-R results showed that an overall improvement in social skills and social interaction for the experimental group across interim and posttests, F = 8.425, p = 0.001 (p < 0.005), and significant improvements appeared in communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control subdomains (p < 0.005). Conversely, no statistically significant differences were found in the control group (p > 0.005). The study concluded that the special structured physical activity program positively influenced social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD, especially in social skills, communication, prompt response, and frequency of expression.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Framework of intervention.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results of social skills in SSIS between two groups.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Results of social interaction in ABLLS-R between two groups.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Results of communication in SSIS between two groups.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Different developmental steps in social interaction.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Different developmental steps in communication.

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th. Washington, DC, Wash, USA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
    1. Autism Society of America. 2014,
    1. Wong V. C. N., Hui S. L. H. Epidemiological study of autism spectrum disorder in China. Journal of Child Neurology. 2008;23(1):67–72. doi: 10.1177/0883073807308702.
    1. Strauss R. S., Rodzilsky D., Burack G., Colin M. Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in healthy children. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. 2001;155(8):897–902. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.155.8.897.
    1. Terre L., Drabman R. S. Relationship between peer status and health behaviors. Adolescence. 1992;27(107):595–602.
    1. Bloomfield S. A. Contributions of physical activity to bone health over the lifespan. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation. 2005;21(1):68–76. doi: 10.1097/00013614-200501000-00008.
    1. Sallis J. F., Patrick K. Physical activity guidelines for adolescents: consensus statement. Pediatric Exercise Science. 1997;64:302–314.
    1. Tomporowski P. D. Cognitive and behavioral responses to acute exercise in youths: a review. Pediatric Exercise Science. 2003;15(4):348–359. doi: 10.1123/pes.15.4.348.
    1. Pan C.-Y., Frey G. C. Physical activity patterns in youth with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2006;36(5):597–606. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0101-6.
    1. Fox K. R., Riddoch C. Symposium on growing up with good nutrition: a focus on the first two decades. Charting the physical activity patterns of contemporary children and adolescents. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2000;59(4):497–504. doi: 10.1017/S0029665100000720.
    1. Pan C.-Y. Objectively measured physical activity between children with autism spectrum disorders and children without disabilities during inclusive recess settings in Taiwan. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2008;38(7):1292–1301. doi: 10.1007/s10803-007-0518-6.
    1. Pitetti K. H., Rendoff A. D., Grover T., Beets M. W. The efficacy of a 9-month treadmill walking program on the exercise capacity and weight reduction for adolescents with severe autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2007;37(6):997–1006. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0238-3.
    1. O'Connor J., French R., Henderson H. USE of physical activity to improve behavior of children with autism-two for one benefits. Palaestra. 2000;16:22–29.
    1. Berkeley S. L., Zittel L. L., Pitney L. V., Nichols S. E. Locomotor and object control skills of children diagnosed with autism. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 2001;18(4):405–416. doi: 10.1123/apaq.18.4.405.
    1. Srinivasan S. M., Pescatello L. S., Bhat A. N. Current perspectives on physical activity and exercise recommendations for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Physical Therapy in Sport. 2014;94(6):875–889. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20130157.
    1. McPhail J. D. The therapeutic benefits of physical activity. American Athletic Medical Association Journal. 2006;19(1):9–10.
    1. Pangrazi R. P., Beighle A., Vehige T., Vack C. Impact of promoting lifestyle activity for youth (PLAY) on children's physical activity. Journal of School Health. 2003;73(8):317–321. doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2003.tb06589.x.
    1. Reid G., O'Connor J. The autistic spectrum disorders: activity selection, assessment, and program organization. Palaestra. 2003;19:20–27.
    1. Bass M. M., Duchowny C. A., Llabre M. M. The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2009;39(9):1261–1267. doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0734-3.
    1. Hameury L., Delavous P., Teste B., Leroy C., Gaboriau J.-C., Berthier A. Equine-assisted therapy and autism. Annales Médico-Psychologiques. 2010;168(9):655–659. doi: 10.1016/j.amp.2009.12.019.
    1. Yilmaz I., Yanardağ M., Birkan B., Bumin G. Effects of swimming training on physical fitness and water orientation in autism. Pediatrics International. 2004;46(5):624–626. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200x.2004.01938.x.
    1. Nicholson H., Kehle T. J., Bray M. A., Heest J. V. The effects of antecedent physical activity on the academic engagement of children with autism spectrum disorder. Psychology in the Schools. 2011;48(2):198–213. doi: 10.1002/pits.20537.
    1. Bellini S., Peters J. K., Benner L., Hopf A. A meta-analysis of school-based social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Remedial and Special Education. 2007;28(3):153–162. doi: 10.1177/07419325070280030401.
    1. Baerg M. R. Review of the Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scales. 2010, .
    1. Partington J. W. The Assessment of Basic Language And Learning Skills (ABLLSR): An Assessment, Curriculum Guide, and Skills Tracking System for Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Behavior Analysts, Inc.; 2008.
    1. Reid G., Collier D. Motor behavior and the autistic spectrum disorders: introduction. Palaestra. 2002;18:20–27.
    1. Aksay E., Alp A. The effects of a physical activity rehabilitation program on the motor skills and physical performance of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) movement therapy and ASD. International Journal of Academic Research. 2014;6(1):12–19.
    1. Pan C.-Y. Effects of water exercise swimming program on aquatic skills and social behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2010;14(1):9–28. doi: 10.1177/1362361309339496.
    1. Brunner D. L., Seung H. K. Evaluation of the efficacy of communication-based treatments for autism spectrum disorders: a literature review. Communication Disorders Quarterly. 2009;31(1):15–41. doi: 10.1177/1525740108324097.
    1. Chanias A. K., Reid G., Hoover M. L. Exercise effects on health-related physical fitness of individuals with an intellectual disability: a meta-analysis. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 1998;15(2):119–140. doi: 10.1123/apaq.15.2.119.
    1. Prupas A., Reid G. Effects of exercise frequency on stereotypic behaviors of children with developmental disabilities. Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. 2001;36(2):196–206.

Source: PubMed

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

3
Subscribe