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The effectiveness of an outdoor adventure programme for young children with autism spectrum disorder: a controlled study
Author(s) -
Zachor Ditza A,
Vardi Shira,
BaronEitan Shani,
BrodaiMeir Inbal,
Ginossar Noa,
BenItzchak Esther
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.13337
Subject(s) - adventure , autism spectrum disorder , psychology , intervention (counseling) , adventure education , autism , interpersonal communication , outdoor education , social skills , clinical psychology , interpersonal relationship , outdoor activity , developmental psychology , physical therapy , medicine , psychiatry , physical activity , social psychology , pedagogy , computer science , operating system
Aim Outdoor adventure programmes aim to improve interpersonal relationships using adventurous activities. The current study examined the effectiveness of an outdoor adventure programme in children with autism spectrum disorders ( ASD ). Method The study included 51 participants (40 males, 11 females; age 3y 4mo–7y 4mo) enrolled in ASD special education kindergartens. Only the intervention group ( n =30) participated in the outdoor adventure programme for 13 weeks, completing challenging physical activities that required cooperation and communication with peers and instructors. The control group ( n =21) was not significantly different from the research group in age, sex, cognitive, and adaptive behaviour measures. Results Outcomes after the intervention revealed significant improvement in social‐communication and different directions in the two groups in the social cognition, social motivation, and autistic mannerisms subdomains of the Social Responsiveness Scale. While the group that received an outdoor adventure programme showed a tendency toward a reduction in severity, the control group showed the opposite ( p <0.010). Interpretation The outdoor adventure programme required problem‐solving skills and forced the child to communicate in exciting situations. This study suggests that an outdoor adventure programme may be an effective intervention in addition to traditional treatments in young children with ASD . Future studies should examine the outcome of outdoor adventure programmes delivered for longer periods of time and maintenance of the achievements over time.