The effect of motor support program applied to children with autism spectrum disorder on gross motor and sensory motor skills

This study was conducted to examine the effect of a motor support program applied for 40 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks on autistic disorder index, gross motor and sensory motor skills in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder aged 4-6 years. A total of 28 children with ASD participated in the study, 14 students in the experimental group and 14 students in the control group. In addition to the special education sessions, the participants in the experimental group received a motor support program for 40 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. In the study, the "Gilliam Autistic Disorder Rating Scale-2-TV (GOBDÖ TV-2)", the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Competence 2 Test Short Form (BOT 2- KF) for the assessment of gross motor skills, and the caregiver sensory profile questionnaire for the assessment of sensory motor skills were used. When we examined the findings of the study, a statistically significant positive difference was found between the pre-test and post-test scores of the autistic disorder index total standard score, communication skills, social interaction and stereotyped behavior sub-dimensions in the experimental group (p<0.05). There was a positive increase in the pre and post-test values of BOT-2 gross motor skill measurements. When the sensory profile scale scores were evaluated, it was determined that there was a positive development in the sensory processing sub-items of vision, hearing, touch, vestibular and multisensory processing. A significant difference was found between the pre-test and post-test values of sensory modulation sub-items. A significant difference was found in all sub-items except emotional and behavioral responses and response threshold. As a result, it was concluded that the motor support program applied to children with ASD had a positive effect on autism-related symptoms, gross motor skills and sensory motor skills.