Improving Motor Skills in Autistic Children with CO-OP
Author Information
Author(s): Kangarani‐Farahani Melika, Thompson‐Hodgetts Sandy, Zwicker Jill G.
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
Autistic children with developmental coordination disorder will show significant improvements in motor function after the CO-OP intervention and maintain these improvements after 3 months.
Conclusion
The CO-OP intervention effectively improved motor skills of autistic children.
Supporting Evidence
- Significant improvements were observed in self-rated performance and satisfaction of motor goals.
- Motor quality also improved according to therapist ratings.
- Improvements were maintained at a 3-month follow-up.
Takeaway
This study shows that a special therapy can help autistic kids learn better motor skills, and they can keep getting better even after the therapy ends.
Methodology
A quasi-experimental study with a treatment group receiving CO-OP intervention for 10 weeks and a waitlist group.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding from other therapies received by participants.
Limitations
The sample size was smaller than expected, and results may not be generalizable to autistic children with intellectual disabilities.
Participant Demographics
27 autistic children aged 8-12 years with developmental coordination disorder, without intellectual disability.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 3.05–4.68
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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