Motor Affordances of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Southern Brazil.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the affordances available to children, 6-9 years-old, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in southern Brazil. The initial assumption of this study was that children with ASD would present low opportunities for motor stimulation as observed in children with typical development, and that richer motor affordance contexts (higher movement opportunities) would be associated with higher socioeconomic status and parents' education.

Methods: 52 guardians of children of both sexes diagnosed with ASD participated in the investigation. The Childhood Autism Assessment Scale was used to classify the level of ASD, and the Affordances for Motor Behavior of Schoolchildren (AMBS) to analyze affordances in children's main environments. The statistical analysis was performed using univariate and multivariate analysis and a logistic regression model.

Results: The findings indicate that children with ASD have low opportunities for motor stimulation. Multivariate analysis showed this is particularly noticeable in families with lower income levels. Also, materials made available for children with ASD usually do not encourage gross motor skills, which does not help to prevent their sedentary lifestyle.

Conclusion: Better knowledge about the opportunities for motor stimulation of children with ASD can help to create individualized strategies that support their caregivers and improve children's developmental outcomes.