Implementing a multi-sport skills camp for girls ages 8-11 with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) display delayed fundamental motor skills (FMS) in comparison to their peers with typical development. Girls with ASD, typically display even less adequate FMS than boys with ASD, and are less physically active. The purpose of this study was to implement a one-week multi-sport skills camp intervention to improve FMS, physical activity (PA), physical self-perceptions, and adaptive behaviour of school aged girls with ASD (n=13). Results indicated significant improvements in FMS following the multi-sport camp intervention; improvements were maintained at the 8-week follow up. No significance was found regarding PA. Results indicated significant improvements in physical self-perceptions, sport/athletic competence and social skills. Significant correlations were present between FMS and physical self-perceptions, and between physical self-perceptions and social skills. The results of this study indicate that a multi-sport skills camp intervention can be effective at improving FMS, physical self-perceptions and social skills among school aged girls with ASD.