Effects of Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (Spark) Versus Fundamental Motor Skill Training on Social Skill Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Main Article Content

Asad Ahmad
Aliena Azam
Amina Shameen
Yusra Uzlifat
Usman Arif
Mubashra Tariq

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents significant challenges in social skills development in children. Recent research has suggested the potential benefits of physical activity-based interventions in addressing these challenges.


Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) and Fundamental Motor Skill Training (FMS) in improving social skills in children with ASD.


Methods: A comparative study involving two groups, each consisting of nine children diagnosed with ASD, was conducted. Both groups underwent 30 sessions over a 10-week period. Group A participated in the SPARK program, while Group B was engaged in FMS. The social skills were assessed using the Gillium Autism Rating Scale, both before and after the intervention.


Results: The study found significant improvements in communication behaviors in the SPARK group, suggesting its effectiveness in enhancing social interaction. While both SPARK and FMS showed benefits in social skill development, SPARK had a more pronounced effect on communication behaviors.


Conclusion: Both SPARK and FMS programs were effective in improving social skills in children with ASD, with SPARK showing a particularly strong impact on communication abilities. These findings support the inclusion of physical activity-based interventions in treatment strategies for ASD.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ahmad, A., Azam, A., Shameen, A., Uzlifat , Y., Arif, U., & Tariq, M. (2023). Effects of Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids (Spark) Versus Fundamental Motor Skill Training on Social Skill Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 3(2), 1184–1189. https://doi.org/10.61919/jhrr.v3i2.300
Section
Articles
Author Biographies

Aliena Azam, Times Institute Multan

Lecturer Department of Physical Therapy

Amina Shameen, Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Lahore

Pediatric Physiotherapist

Yusra Uzlifat , Bahawalpur Medical College and Bahawalpur Medical and Dental Hospital

Lecturer and Clinical Physical Therapist

Mubashra Tariq, City Institute of Management and Emerging Sciences.

Lecturer, Senior Physiotherapist City Rehabilitation Centre

References

Najafabadi MG, Sheikh M, Hemayattalab R, Memari A-H, Aderyani MR, Hafizi S. The effect of SPARK on social and motor skills of children with autism. Pediatrics & Neonatology. 2018;59(5):481-7.

Lord C, Brugha TS, Charman T, Cusack J, Dumas G, Frazier T, et al. Autism spectrum disorder. Nature reviews Disease primers. 2020;6(1):1-23.

Lord C, Elsabbagh M, Baird G, Veenstra-Vanderweele J. Autism spectrum disorder. The lancet. 2018;392(10146):508-20.

Bedford R, Pickles A, Lord C. Early gross motor skills predict the subsequent development of language in children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism research. 2016;9(9):993-1001.

Colombo-Dougovito AM, Block ME. Fundamental motor skill interventions for children and adolescents on the autism spectrum: A literature review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2019;6(2):159-71.

Healy S, Nacario A, Braithwaite RE, Hopper C. The effect of physical activity interventions on youth with autism spectrum disorder: A meta‐analysis. Autism Research. 2018;11(6):818-33.

Fombonne E, Zakarian R, Bennett A, Meng L, McLean-Heywood D. Pervasive developmental disorders in Montreal, Quebec, Canada: prevalence and links with immunizations. Pediatrics. 2006;118(1):e139-e50.

Eaton NR, Keyes KM, Krueger RF, Balsis S, Skodol AE, Markon KE, et al. An invariant dimensional liability model of gender differences in mental disorder prevalence: evidence from a national sample. Journal of abnormal psychology. 2012;121(1):282.

Najafabadi MG, Sheikh M, Hemayattalab R, Memari AH, Aderyani MR, Hafizi S. The effect of SPARK on social and motor skills of children with autism. Pediatrics and neonatology. 2018;59(5):481-7.

Ketcheson LR, Pitchford EA, Wentz CF. The Relationship Between Developmental Coordination Disorder and Concurrent Deficits in Social Communication and Repetitive Behaviors Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research. 2021;14(4):804-16.

Hariri R, Nakhostin-Ansari A, Mohammadi F, Memari AH, Oskouie IM, Haghparast A. An Overview of the Available Intervention Strategies for Postural Balance Control in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism research and treatment. 2022;2022:3639352.

Hassani F, Shahrbanian S, Shahidi SH, Sheikh M. Playing games can improve physical performance in children with autism. International journal of developmental disabilities. 2022;68(2):219-26.

Bhat A. Multidimensional motor performance in children with autism mostly remains stable with age and predicts social communication delay, language delay, functional delay, and repetitive behavior severity after accounting for intellectual disability or cognitive delay: A SPARK dataset analysis. Autism research : official journal of the International Society for Autism Research. 2023;16(1):208-29.

MUNEER MMP. The influence of Structured Physical Activity Intervention on Fundamental Motor Skills Development of Children with Mild and Moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal of Sport Culture and Science. 2019;7(4):22-39.

Ghayour Najafabadi M, Sobh-Rhakhshankhah A, Niyazi S. The Effect of Selected Exercise Group on Motor Skills and Cognitive Functions in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Sport Sciences and Health Research. 2019;11(2):105-12.

Colombo-Dougovito AM, Lee J. Social skill outcomes following physical activity–based interventions for individuals on the autism spectrum: a scoping review spanning young childhood through young adulthood. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 2020;38(1):138-69.

Ruggeri A, Dancel A, Johnson R, Sargent B. The effect of motor and physical activity intervention on motor outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Autism. 2020;24(3):544-68.

Healy S, Obrusnikova I, Getchell N. Fundamental motor skill interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of the literature including a methodological quality assessment. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 2021;81:101717.

Rafiei Milajerdi H, Sheikh M, Najafabadi MG, Saghaei B, Naghdi N, Dewey D. The effects of physical activity and exergaming on motor skills and executive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder. Games for health journal. 2021;10(1):33-42.

Valentini M, Delbene G. Effects of motor activity on manifestation of Autism Spectrum Disorder in preschool age children: systematic review. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR INCLUSION. 2022;10(2):197-210.

Bhat AN. Fewer children with autism spectrum disorder with motor challenges receive physical and recreational therapies compared to standard therapies: A SPARK data set analysis. Autism. 2023:13623613231193196.

Symeonidou S. Effects of Physical Activities on Social Skills and Well-being in Autistic Children: A systematic literature review from 2012-2023. 2023.

Morris P, Hope E, Mills JP. The Non-Fitness-Related Benefits of Exergames for Young Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. 2021.

Safdar Z, Asghar M, Tahir M. Level of Quality of Life among Post Stroke Patients; A Cross Sectional Survey. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research. 2023;3(2):299-304.

Asghar M, Safdar Z, Tahir M. Quality of life and functional Outcomes among Burn Patients: A Cross Sectional Survey. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research. 2023;3(2):293-8.

Tahir M, Maqsood M, Azhar N, Safdar Z, Amin U, Waheed TS. Association of Knee Pain in Long Standing and Sitting among University Teachers: Association of Knee Pain in University Teachers. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. 2023;3(1):314-21.

Tahir M, Tariq F, Saeed HW, Nauman M, Usman M, Ali S. Impact of Air Pollution on Respiratory Health of Traffic Wardens in Lahore: Air Pollution and Respiratory Health. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. 2023;3(7):703-9.

Makki ARK, Tahir M, Amin U, Tabassum MMB, Kamran M, Tahir F. Mechanism of Meniscal Injury and its Impact on Performance in Athletes: Meniscal Injury in Athletes. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. 2022;2(3):232-7.

Malik J, Farooq U, Tahir M, Ayyaz A, khalid Makki AR. Impact of Attending Online Classes on Mental Health Among University Students During COVID-19 Pandemic in Lahore: Impact of Online Classes in Covid-19. The Healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences. 2022;2(2):162-9.

Saeed A, Kemall F, Iqbal J, Sarwar R, Mustafa M, Tahir M. Effect of Resistance Exercise Training Program on Quality of Life in Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; A Cross Sectional Survey. Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences. 2022;16(07):956-.

Tahir A, Fatima A, Khan MT. Association of depression in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation. 2022;11(1):174-83.

Khan MT, Shareef F, Farooq U, Tahir A. Impact of Facility Characteristics on Patient Safety, Patient Experience, and Service Availability for Procedures in Hospitals. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation. 2022;11(1):136-44.