About This Project

Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other Developmental Disabilities (DD) have a higher risk of being obese, more sedentary, and participate in less physical activity than typically developing (TD) peers. We are seeking to develop modifications to physical activity games for TD youth that are appropriate for kids with ASD. These will be in the form of social stories and videos that are simple for staff to use and for kids with ASD to understand.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing neurodevelopmental disability in the United States, affecting approximately one out of 68 children. Degree and severity of symptoms vary across individuals but core characteristics include deficits in social and communication skills, stereotypical behaviors, as well as motor development difficulties. Several physical concerns are also associated with ASD including higher rates of obesity and sedentary behaviors compared to their typically developing peers. Both the psychosocial and physical deficits associated with ASD tend to impede their participation in physical activity, all of which lead to increased rates of chronic health conditions as well as lower overall quality of life.

What is the significance of this project?

Participation in group physical activity (PA) is known to have a positive impact on all youth, and preliminary research suggests that PA interventions can improve a number of factors in youth with ASD, including increasing quality of life and decreasing negative behaviors. Despite this information, these studies come with major limitations including using individual approaches to PA (e.g., running, martial arts) rather than group formats, which limits opportunities for friendship building and social skills, using costly equipment/capacities and staff trained in ASD which are not typically available in community settings, and none of these studies sought to modify existing group PA interventions for youth with ASD that are feasible for staff to implement in community settings.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to create feasible, effective, and sustainable group PA interventions for youth with ASD that increase overall physical activity and psychosocial functioning. We will do this by modifying an evidence-based group PA intervention for typically developing youth called LET US Play, for youth with ASD. LET US Play (lines, elimination, team size, uninvolved staff/kids, and space, equipment, and rules) takes common games and changes the rules to make them more physically active. Our modified version, termed LET US Play-Adapted will include social stories/videos that target both PA and psychosocial functioning for youth with ASD. This modified intervention has the potential to increase physical activity and psychosocial skills for youth with ASD nationwide