Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Farhangian university
2 Associate Professor of Motor Behavior, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Tehran University
Abstract
Autism is a neurological disorder that begins in early childhood. Its main characteristics include difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive behaviors. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of sensory-motor and perceptual-motor exercises on anxiety and stereotypic behaviors in high-functioning autistic children aged 8 to 12 years. In a semi-experimental study, 24 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder from a child care center were non-randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups and 1 control group (8 children per group). Sensory-motor and perceptual-motor interventions were administered for 12 weeks, with 3 sessions per week. The findings of univariate analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference between the two experimental groups and the control group in terms of anxiety (p < 0.001) and stereotypic behaviors (p < 0.004). The results showed that sensory-motor and perceptual-motor exercises were effective in improving symptoms of anxiety and stereotypic behaviors in autistic children. Additionally, in the components of uncertainty, separation, and arousal, the total anxiety score and stereotypic behavior indicated no significant difference between the two experimental groups. However, sensory-motor exercises had a greater impact compared to perceptual-motor exercises in improving anxiety symptoms and stereotypic behaviors.
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