The effects of physical activity on the on-task behavior of young children with autism spectrum disorders

Shane K. H. Miramontez; Ilene S. Schwartz

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2016) IEJEE Special Issue Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Approaches to Training, Teaching, and Treatment

The effects of physical activity on the on-task behavior of young children with autism spectrum disorders

Shane K. H. Miramontez
Ilene S. Schwartz

Published August 23, 2017 | Pages: 405-418 | Views: 907

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adult-directed physical activities conducted during circle time on the on-task behavior of students during a journal-writing activity held immediately after circle. The participants of the study were three male students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who attended a full day inclusive kindergarten program. During the last five minutes of morning circle the entire class, including the target participants, engaged in one of three activities that required different amounts of physical exertion (yoga, dance party, or book reading) that were selected randomly by the teacher. On-task behavior data was collected for each participant during the first five minutes of the subsequent journal writing activity. Results found that, in general, movement (yoga and dance party) prior to journal led to higher levels of on-task behavior during journal writing, with different activities yielding different outcomes for individual participants. Implications are that students with ASD would benefit from participating in multiple bouts of planned physical activity across the instructional day.

<p>The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adult-directed physical activities conducted during circle time on the on-task behavior of students during a journal-writing activity held immediately after circle. The participants of the study were three male students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who attended a full day inclusive kindergarten program. During the last five minutes of morning circle the entire class, including the target participants, engaged in one of three activities that required different amounts of physical exertion (yoga, dance party, or book reading) that were selected randomly by the teacher. On-task behavior data was collected for each participant during the first five minutes of the subsequent journal writing activity. Results found that, in general, movement (yoga and dance party) prior to journal led to higher levels of on-task behavior during journal writing, with different activities yielding different outcomes for individual participants. Implications are that students with ASD would benefit from participating in multiple bouts of planned physical activity across the instructional day.</p>

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Keywords

Physical activity, On-task behavior, Autism

Affiliations

Shane K. H. Miramontez

University of Washington, USA

Ilene S. Schwartz

University of Washington, USA

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How to Cite

Miramontez, S. K. H., & Schwartz, I. S. (2017). The effects of physical activity on the on-task behavior of young children with autism spectrum disorders. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 9(2), 405–418. Retrieved from https://iejee.com/index.php/IEJEE/article/view/166