Presentations

Abstract

Introduction:

EVMS Adaptive Gymnastics is a program designed to help children with developmental disabilities gain social and motor capabilities through a 45-minute gymnastics session over the course of eight weeks. The program uses basic gymnastic skills and time in the gym encouraging exercise, socialization, and fun for children that do not have the same opportunities for organized sports and other activities due to their disabilities. Additionally, it gives the parents a 45-minute break to relax, run errands, or spend time with their other children, while their participating child is in a safe and fun environment. We hypothesize that there will be a reduction in emotional reactivity, attention impairments, and parental stress as children progress through the adaptive gymnastics 8-week program.

Methods:

New and returning families of children who were at least 5 years of age, but less than 13 years of age with known developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, were recruited to take part in a longitudinal study evaluating the child's social and emotional skills and perceived parental stress. The child's behaviors were measured pre and post study using the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI), Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC), and Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). Parental stress was also measured pre and post using the Parental Stress Index (PSI). Additionally, the child's developmental history and family demographics were collected with information used to screen eligible families, including official rosters and participant modification plans (PMP).

Results:

Of the 12 subjects enrolled, 8 have autism, and 5 of those 8 are co-morbid with both autism and ADHD. The most common negative behavioral triggers documented on the PMP were transitions, noise, change of routine, and autonomous control. Enrollees varied in use of expressive language, social abilities, and physical abilities. The PMP revealed the majority of subjects required assistance with respecting authority, staying on task for > 15 minutes and following multi-step directions. On the EDI, many families also indicated emotional reactivity greater than one standard deviation above the general population. Unsurprisingly, many children screened positively for signs of autism spectrum disorder on the SCQ.

Conclusion:

We are currently still in the data collection phase of the study, but we have established baseline values of child behaviors and perceived parental stress among families participating in this longitudinal study about the effects of an adaptive gymnastics program on children with disabilities. Longitudinal analysis over the 8-week period will be critical in identifying any potential therapeutic benefits and possible additional interventions.