Football as an Alternative to Work on the Development of Social Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Level 1.

Nerea Felgueras Custodio,Inmaculada Garrote Camarena,Jose Maria Lopez-Diaz

doi:10.3390/bs11110159

Nerea Felgueras Custodio, Inmaculada Garrote Camarena + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/bs11110159

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Abstract

Given the characteristics of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, it is evident the difficulties they show in the development of social skills. The scarce participation of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in group sports can be taken as a reference. The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of football on the development of social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In order to measure the sporting impact, it was necessary to implement a football training programme with the intention of evaluating different social skills. Thirteen children participated in the programme, all of them with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and with a severity level of 1. The study was based on a pre-experimental, pre-test/post-test design. Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis, applying the Wilcoxon test. Two specific tools on social skills were used for data collection. The results showed a generalised improvement in the dimensions linked to the social skills assessed. This highlights the possibility of considering group sport as an alternative to be taken into account to work on and enhance social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Highlights

It is clear that one of the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is oriented towards the difficulties that people with ASD have in terms of the development of social and communication skills [1]
In order to set up the sports project, it was necessary to publicise the programme in schools, associations, and educational institutions so that all children who were interested in practising sport and/or playing football, and who met the selection profile, could sign up
The results are divided into two blocks: the first one covers socio-demographic results, while the second block focuses on results related to children’s social skills

Summary

Introduction

It is clear that one of the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is oriented towards the difficulties that people with ASD have in terms of the development of social and communication skills [1]. The problems that arise when interacting derive from the difficulty they have in relating to their peers, as they have problems in understanding the implicit conventional rules of social interaction itself [2]. Add to this the difficulties in interpreting and understanding emotions [3], and the result is continued social isolation. Several therapeutic programmes are currently proposed to work on different skills and competences with the aim of improving the quality of life of people with ASD. Sport should be understood as a source of health [4], and as a process of human development where physical performance is sought, and performance in psychological and social functions [5]

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