@article{6d3d0d073639445383e2852b7172798b,
title = "Can a community-based football program benefit motor ability in children with autism spectrum disorder? A pilot evaluation considering the role of social impairments",
abstract = "This non-randomised pilot study evaluated the impact of a community football program on motor ability in children aged 5–12 years with autism spectrum disorder. Sixteen children were evaluated at baseline-and-post attendance in a football program for a varied number of weeks and compared to 19 children engaging in treatment-as-usual. Primary analyses indicated a statistically significant increase in total MABC-2, aiming and catching, and balance scores for the intervention group, with no changes in scores in the comparison group. There were no changes in manual dexterity across either group. At a between group level, the changes in aiming and catching scores were significantly greater for the intervention group. Further analyses highlighted the potential importance of social impairments regarding aiming and catching.",
keywords = "Autism spectrum disorders, Community-based, Football, Motor ability, Organised physical activity, Social skills",
author = "Katherine Howells and Carmel Sivaratnam and Ebony Lindor and Jason He and Christian Hyde and Jane McGillivray and Wilson, {Rujuta B.} and Nicole Rinehart",
note = "Funding Information: The Deakin Child Study Centre receives philanthropic funding from: the Moose Toys, Ferrero Group Australia Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives; MECCA Brands; Wenig Family; Geelong Community Foundation; Grace & Emilio Foundation; and Government partners Victorian Department of Education and Training and NSW Department of Education to conduct research in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders and inclusion. The Deakin Child Study Centre has also previously received scholarship funding from the Australian Football League and industry partner funding from the NDIS ILC. NR has received donations from Bus Association Victoria; and previous speaker honorarium from Novartis (2002), Pfizer (2006) and Nutricia (2007); and is a Director of the Amaze Board (Autism Victoria). None of the companies, industry or government partners or organisational bodies listed above had a role in this research including the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in writing of the manuscript; and/or in the decision to submit the article for publication. RBW is supported by funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (K23HD099275). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature.",
year = "2022",
month = jan,
doi = "10.1007/s10803-021-04933-w",
language = "English",
volume = "52",
pages = "402--413",
journal = "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders",
issn = "0162-3257",
publisher = "Springer",
number = "1",
}