The Effects of Family-Mediated Physical Activities on Communication Skills of a Student with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A pilot study

Abstract

Effective strategies to address communication skills are critical to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) participating in inclusive education. The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the effects of family-mediated physical activities on the communication skills of a student with ASD. One inclusive student with ASD and his mother participated in the study designed in the pretest-posttest experimental model. For 8 weeks, family-mediated physical activities were carried out with the student with ASD and his mother. 6 sessions of family education programs were organized before family-mediated physical activities. The data were obtained with the Observation Form developed in line with the literature, and communication skills of the student with ASD. According to the findings of the study, it was determined that the communication skills of the student with ASD increased significantly after 8 weeks after family-mediated physical activities. As a result, it was obtained the impression that family-mediated physical activities had a positive effect on the communication skills of the student with ASD.