The effects of an early motor skill intervention on motor skills, levels of physical activity, and socialization in young children with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

TLDR

Early motor delays are among the earliest indicators of autism spectrum disorder, yet few interventions target motor behavior as a primary outcome. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an intensive motor skill intervention on motor skills, physical activity, and socialization in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Twenty children aged 4–6 years participated; 11 received an 8‑week program of 4 h/day, 5 days/week motor instruction, while 9 served as a no‑intervention control. Repeated‑measures analysis revealed significant group differences in locomotor, object control, and gross quotient scores, underscoring the value of motor programming in early ASD interventions.

Abstract

Despite evidence suggesting one of the earliest indicators of an eventual autism spectrum disorder diagnoses is an early motor delay, there remain very few interventions targeting motor behavior as the primary outcome for young children with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the efficacy of an intensive motor skill intervention on motor skills (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), physical activity (accelerometers), and socialization (Playground Observation of Peer Engagement) in young children with autism spectrum disorder. A total of 20 children with autism spectrum disorder aged 4–6 years participated. The experimental group ( n = 11) participated in an 8-week intervention consisting of motor skill instruction for 4 h/day, 5 days/week. The control group ( n = 9) did not receive the intervention. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance revealed statistically significant differences between groups in all three motor outcomes, locomotor ( F(1, 14) = 10.07, p < 0.001, partial η 2 = 0.42), object control ( F(1, 14) = 12.90, p < 0.001, partial η 2 = 0.48), and gross quotient ( F(1, 14) = 15.61, p < 0.01, partial η 2 = 0.53). Findings shed light on the importance of including motor programming as part of the early intervention services delivered to young children with autism spectrum disorder.