Increasing Physical Activity in Individuals With Autism

Abstract

This study investigated the outcomes of an intervention package on participation in tWo physical activities: snoWshoeing and Walking/jogging. Three male secondary school students Who had been diagnosed With autism and Were attending a school for students With intellectual disabilities participated in a 6-month outdoor physical activity program. The authors used a changing conditions design; the program Was divided into six phases by the amount of edible reinforcers provided during sessions. A self-monitoring board, verbal cuing, and edible reinforcers Were used in the study. Distance snoWshoed, Walked, and jogged per 30-min session increased as edible and verbal reinforcement decreased. The results suggest that interventions can be developed to promote sustained participation in physical activity for individuals With autism.