Journal article
Effects of fundamental movement skills intervention for children with and without autism spectrum disorders
Research in Autism, Vol.126, 202621
08/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202621
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to confirm the effectiveness of fundamental movement skills (FMS) intervention for younger children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Ninety-two participants, with the mean age = 6.39 years, attended the present study. Among them, 23 ASD and 23 typically developing (TD) participants were in the exercise groups (ASD-FMS and TD-FMS), receiving 60 min of FMS training twice a week for 12 weeks. Another 23 ASD and 23 TD participants were in the control groups (ASD-C and TD-C). The Test of Gross Motor Development was to assess changes in motor skills. A two-way (Disability x Intervention) ANCOVA was used to control for baseline performance differences.
TD participants initially had better FMS than those with ASD. After the intervention, both the ASD-FMS and TD-FMS groups improved their locomotor and object control skills. However, the TD-FMS group did not show improvement in specific skills like running, leaping, striking, kicking, and forward rolling when compared to the TD-C. Despite this, the TD-FMS group still outperformed the ASD-FMS group in striking and forward rolling. Notably, the ASD-FMS group made significant progress and achieved skill levels in running, leaping, and kicking that were similar to those of the TD-FMS group.
The intervention positively impacted FMS in young children with ASD and their TD peers. The findings suggest that early intervention is crucial, and future research should consider larger sample sizes, teaching aids, and participants' backgrounds for more comprehensive results.
•Young children with autism often show delays in fundamental motor skills like running, leaping, and kicking.•Interventions help children with autism improve locomotor and object control motor skills.•After intervention, children with autism perform run, leap, and kick skills at levels similar to typical peers.•Motor skill interventions should be considered early for young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of fundamental movement skills intervention for children with and without autism spectrum disorders
- Creators
- Chien-Yu Pan - National Kaohsiung Normal UniversityChih-Chia (JJ) Chen - University of Iowa, USAChu-Yang Huang - National Sun Yat-sen UniversityChia-Lian Tsai - National Cheng Kung UniversityMing-Chih Sung - California State University Los AngelesYung-Ju Chen - Minot State University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Research in Autism, Vol.126, 202621
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.reia.2025.202621
- ISSN
- 3050-6565
- eISSN
- 3050-6565
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 08/2025
- Academic Unit
- Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984827334902771
Metrics
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