The effect of therapeutic recreation activities on basic motor skills in individuals with special NEEDS

Aim: This study was carried out with the purpose of examining the effects of thera-peutic recreation activities on basic motor skills in adults with autism spectrum disor-der, who are individuals with special needs. Materials and Methods: The exploratory sequential design, one of the mixed meth-od designs, was used in the research. The sample group is comprised of a total of 20 individuals aged between 20-40 with autism spectrum disorder [ASD] which consists of 10 people that are the control group and 10 people that are the experimental group, who, having been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, are regularly attending the courses of the III. Degree Sabahat Akşiray Special Education Practice School which were opened by the Menemen Public Education Center as well as the Lifelong Learning Program located in Menemen within the scope of non-formal education. The qualitative part of the research was carried out based on a semi-structured inter-view pattern with parents in order to explain how the interview was used to obtain in-depth information. The experimental research model was used in the quantitative part of the study. The research design was carried out based on the experimental de-sign with the pretest-posttest control group. The "Semi-structured Interview Form", "Personal Information Form" and "Eurofit Test Battery" were used as data collection tools. In the analysis of the data, descriptive statistical methods (Frequency, Percent-age, Mean, Standard Deviation) the T test and the Mann Whitney U test analysis were conducted. In the analysis process of qualitative data, categorical themes were formulated by 3 experts in the qualitative field by using the Nvivo package program which is one of the programs of qualitative analysis. Findings: According to the quantitative pretest and posttest measurement findings of the therapeutic recreation activity study group of individuals with autism spectrum disorder; it has been determined that no statistically significant difference was found in the final average of the pretest and posttest measurement values of the control and experiment group (p>0.05) considering the anthropometric measurements (body weight, body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate, body fat, body fat mass, mus-cle mass, body fluid, bone mineral, metabolic age, internal fatness) and motor skills. Although there was no significant difference, it has been determined that the group effect on metabolic age was moderate (0.30 < r < 0.50). Although there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores in the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as a result of the therapeutic recreational activities applied to the study group, it was determined that while there was a large effect on fat mass (r > 0.50), weight, BMI, fat percentage, muscle and metabolic age; the ef-fect on visceral fat was moderate (0.10 < r < 0.30). Within the framework of the pro-tocols, statistically significant differences were found in the values of balance, the disc touch test (arm movement speed), sit-down (flexibility), standing double leg jump (explosive force), shuttle test (trunk strength) and the back-leg strength. It has been determined that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the pretest and posttest average scores of the BMI, fat percentage, water, bone, BMR, metastasis, visceral fat, flexibility, hand (right) grip strength, hand (left) grip strength, back strength, leg strength, sit-up, long jump and disc reach of the control group. When the averages of the pretest and posttest scores of the weight, fat mass and lean mass of the control group were examined, it was observed that the posttest scores were negative compared to the pretest scores. When the changes that ensued in the lives of the children with autism spectrum dis-order are interpreted according to the qualitative method findings and the views of the parents obtained before and after the therapeutic recreational activities; It was observed that the children became stronger physically, they slept better, their activi-ties in daily life became more effortless, their communication improved, and they significantly defined the feeling of happiness. Results: It has been determined that therapeutic recreation activities performed by individuals with autism spectrum disorder positively effect anthropometric values and motor skills. However, it can be said that combining the parental opinion evalua-tions shown in the study increases the effectiveness of the current research and has a positive effect on psychosocial aspects. Key Words: Individuals with Special Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Therapeu-tic Recreation, Motor skills