Physical activity rates in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder compared to the general population

Abstract

Physical activity may improve symptoms and skill deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The objective of this study was to compare the reported frequency of physical activity and covariates in a large sample of children with ASD with children of similar age from the general population. The sample with ASD was derived from the Autism Treatment Network Registry Call Back Assessment (n = 611), and the general population data were derived from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) (n = 71,811). In addition, demographic, child, and family (parent) factors were examined in relation to frequency of recent physical activity in children with ASD. Among males in the 6−11 year-old age group, those with ASD participated in physical activity less often (p < 0.001) than those in the NSCH general population. Specifically, 33 % of boys 6−11 years old in the NSCH group vs. only 17 % in the RCBA group 6−11 years old engaged in some physical activity every day, while 4 % of boys in the NSCH group vs. 18 % in the RCBA group engaged in no physical activity whatsoever. A similar effect was seen across other age groups and in females but was not statistically significant. The demographic, child, and family characteristics associated with physical activity in children and adolescents with ASD included ethnicity in females, DSM-IV ASD diagnosis, IQ, and PAM-13 total score in females. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to find suitable physical activity programs for children with ASD. This may be especially important for 6−11 year-old boys with ASD who engage in significantly less physical activity than their peers in the general population.