The Efficacy of Sensorimotor Exercises on Motor, Social Interaction, and Communication Skills and Stereotypic Behaviors of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Aim and Background: Sensorimotor difficulties, including abnormalities in muscle tone, gross and fine motor skills, balance, and motor coordination, are common co-occurring symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and influence different aspects of their lives. The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensorimotor exercises on improvement of motor functioning and ASD symptoms. Methods and Materials: In this quasi-experimental study, from among autistic children in Tehran, 2 autistic children were selected through non-random convenience sampling technique to participate in the study. Data were collected using multiple baseline design, and through the Lincoln-Oseretsky Motor Development Scale and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS). After observation of a relatively stable baseline, the 7-part intervention plan, including body awareness, motor programming, bilateral motor integration, balance skills, fine motor coordination, functional vision skills, and oral-motor skills, was implemented. The data were analyzed using visual analysis, effect size, and inferential statistics including t-test. Findings: Results of t-test, effect size and visual analysis revealed a significant difference between baseline and treatment conditions. The mean scores of motor skills increased and mean scores of stereotypic behaviors decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings indicate that motor performance and stereotypic behaviors of children with ASD improved with sensorimotor exercises. However, no significant changes were observed in the social interaction and communication skills of the children.

Keywords

• sensorimotor exercises
• autism
• motor skills
• stereotypic behaviors
• communication skills