Inclusive Sports and Fitness Model: Occupation-Based Sports Program Designed to Advance Sensory,Motor,and Process Skills

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a composite, occupation-based sports program, Inclusive Sports and Fitness (ISF), designed to advance motor, sensory, cognitive, and social development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD may be alienated and deprived of opportunities to engage and participate in mainstream sports because of impairments in performance skills. These children may exhibit nonpurposeful stereotyped behaviors and motor and praxis deficits and may have difficulty performing skills or recognizing skilled gestures. Stereotyped behaviors can affect their ability to socially integrate and interact with peers and to engage in physical and social play.

METHOD: This study used a quasi-experimental longitudinal design to assess the efficacy of the ISF model in improving functional capabilities of five children with mild to moderate ASD. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling and met the following inclusion criteria: age 7–17, diagnosis of ASD, and demonstrated deficits in performance skills. Instruments included the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale II (Vineland) and a survey interview measure designed to assess personal and social skills needed for everyday life in four domains: communication, daily living, motor, and socialization. For data analysis, comparisons between pretest and posttest scores on Vineland subdomains were done using dependent t tests (two-tailed, p < .05) if parametric criteria for normality of distribution were met and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests if nonparametric. Vineland subdomains were assessed individually to identify potential changes in specific behaviors.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were found in socialization, t(4) = –3.545, p = .02; play and leisure skills, z = –2.032, p = .04; and adaptive behavior scores, t(4) = –3.314, p = .03. Although not significant, mean score improvements were noted for all the domains: motor skills, 18.6%; adaptive behavior, 11.0%; socialization, 8.7%; daily living skills, 7.0%; and communication skills, 11.6%.

CONCLUSION: The current findings support the idea that it is possible to improve the occupational and personal capacities of children with mild to moderate ASD. The ISF model provides comprehensive, occupation-based interventions using various types of structured and nonstructured athletic and leisure activities. The ISF model has been shown to advance motor, process, and social–emotional skills needed for inclusion in mainstream play and leisure activities.

IMPACT STATEMENT: With improvements in sensory–motor and social–emotional performance and in occupational and personal capabilities, children with ASD will have greater opportunities to engage and participate in mainstream sports and leisure activities.

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