Occupational therapy and yoga for children with autism spectrum disorder for rehabilitation professional

Abstract

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is being identified in an ever-increasing number of countries,1 Research to date children with these disorders will have poor gross motor skills and the rate of fall risk are increase among these children, an effective intervention for understudied Autism Spectrum Disorder is needed. Therefore, we investigated to find out the effectiveness of Occupational Therapy along with Yoga intervention including gross motor skill and fall risk for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Objective: To find out the effectiveness of gross motor skill for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and to educate and train the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are prone to fall. Methods: Nine children with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are prone to fall were selected for this study. Gross Motor Functional Measure scale (GMFMs) and Modified Berg Balance Scale (BBS-M) Pediatric Balance Scale were used for the objective measurement of children fall risk. The pre and post-therapy values were statistically analyzed on the effect of Occupational Therapy and Yoga intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Results: The statistical analysis of Gross Motor Functional Measure scale (GMFMs) mean value is 86.7777 vs post-treatment mean value is 121.444 (t =-8.95182; p<0.00001). The Statistical analysis of Berg Balance Scale between pre-treatment mean values is 24.777, S.D is 3.18948 and post-treatment mean value is 40.222, S.D 4.7088, t-test value of BBS is 7.68085 and p-value is < .00001. Based on the statistical report it is suggested that the gross motor skills were improved and the rate of fall was comparatively reduced for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Conclusion: Occupational Therapy and Yoga can be used effectively as one of the interventions as an integrated therapy to improve gross motor skills and to prevent falls in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Therapists may consider these interventions when treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.