A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of the Motor Skill Occupational Therapy Intervention ON ASD (MOTION-ASD) on Functional Performance in Young Autistic Children

Research Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle with motor skills, crucial for language, cognition, and psychosocial development. These skills are linked to school readiness for kids aged four to six. Motor impairments are common in young autistic children, with issues such as muscle tone, strength, postural control, and motor skills. Research lacks comprehensive evidence on ASD interventions for motor problems. This study focuses on the effect of motor skills occupational therapy (MOTION-ASD) on functional performance in young autistic children aged four to six.

Design: This study was conducted in a triple-blinded, two-group randomized, dose-matched controlled design to examine the effects of MOTION-ASD. All the measurements were done at pre- and post-test phases, and one month after the intervention to ascertain the maintenance effect.

Setting: The study was conducted within the laboratory of National Cheng Kung University by certified occupational therapists.

Participants: Seventeen young autistic children were recruited and randomized allocated into two groups.

Interventions: MOTION-ASD based on motor learning theory and focused on the skill learning process. The EXCIR program provided cognitive-focused physical activities. Both intervention groups underwent eight sessions, totaling 720 minutes.

Main Outcome Measures: The children’s motor skills performance and occupational performance on self-care activities were measured. Parent-report questionnaires measured children’s adaptive behaviors in daily life.

Results: Significant improvements in overall motor skills, and self-care performance were made throughout both interventions and were maintained to the four-week follow-up. Children in the MOTION-ASD group showed a significantly greater maintenance effect on bilateral coordination abilities than those in the EXCIR group after the intervention.

Conclusions: These results highlight motor interventions as viable treatments. Structured motor interventions were suggested for young autistic children. The study presents the first evidence of the effect of an occupational therapy intervention on motor issues in young Taiwanese autistic children.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this study. The research was conducted without external funding support. Ethical approval for this study was granted by the National Cheng Kung University Hospital.