Increasing physical activity and analyzing parametrically the effects on stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

A diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and stereotypy engagement is associated with reduced physical activity (PA). Beyond health benefits, researchers have also reported decreases in stereotypy and corresponding increases in on‐task behavior in individuals with ASD following PA. However, the duration of reported PA varies among studies examining these effects and the persistence of any effect is not well understood. Furthermore, no previous study examining these effects has reported difficulty evoking adequate durations of PA. The purposes of this study were to (1) develop an intervention to increase PA engagement, (2) analyze changes in stereotypy and on‐task behavior following PA, and (3) assess persistence of changes as a function of PA duration. Four participants with ASD were observed for 10 min before, between 1 and 15 min during, and 30 min following PA. Results demonstrated that some duration of PA decreased stereotypy and increased on‐task behavior for most participants.

Increasing selection of and engagement in physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder

“…First, the SSPA used to determine preference among physical activities required prompting by the researchers and, therefore, it may not have been as valid as the paired‐stimulus method to measure preference. Still, these procedures have some precedent for evaluating preference among physical activities (e.g., Goldman et al, 2021; Morrison et al, 2011) and all activities were selected based on therapist or caregiver report. Second, participants had access to a limited number of physical activity options and were not taught to engage in other types of physical activity for which they may have developed preferences.…”

“…The researchers recruited individuals who had participated in previous research which involved assessing the effects of physical activity on stereotypy (Goldman et al, 2021). Recruitment ended after these individuals were offered the opportunity to participate.…”

“…However, delivering token reinforcers to increase physical activity for children with ASD is less researched. Despite several studies evaluating contingent token delivery to increase a variety of responses in children with ASD (Matson & Boisjoli, 2009), we could identify only two studies that included physical activity as the target response (Goldman et al, 2021; Mangus et al, 1986). Goldman et al (2021) used tokens to increase trampoline jumping for a single participant to assess the effect of physical activity on stereotypy.…”

“…Despite several studies evaluating contingent token delivery to increase a variety of responses in children with ASD (Matson & Boisjoli, 2009), we could identify only two studies that included physical activity as the target response (Goldman et al, 2021; Mangus et al, 1986). Goldman et al (2021) used tokens to increase trampoline jumping for a single participant to assess the effect of physical activity on stereotypy. Mangus et al (1986) used tokens to increase walking on a balance beam for one of five participants with ASD.…”

Relationship between serum cortisol levels, stereotypies, and the presence of autism spectrum disorder in patients with severe intellectual disability

“…Other studies have suggested that the presence of ASD itself is also a variable. For example, physical activity is known to reduce stereotypies without reducing other behaviours 23 , suggesting that stereotypies and physical activity may share some mechanisms. However, physical activity can reduce cortisol 24 , 25 and stereotypies can increase cortisol as described above 20 , 21 .…”