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Psychomotor Intervention Practices for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review

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Abstract

Motor difficulties are present in 50–73% of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and are associated with social difficulties. This review aims to synthesize the literature regarding psychomotor therapist use of psychomotor intervention for 3- to 6-year preschool children with ASD. A systematic search of electronic of six databases and other electronic journals was conducted without time limitation. Out of 1351 studies, 14 meet the inclusion criteria. Studies were summarized in terms of participant characteristics, study design, outcomes measures, intervention characteristics, target skills, and outcomes. Outcomes in psychomotor and social development and peer interaction and verbal communication domains were identified. This review adds insights for future research and revealed critical considerations of psychomotor interventions with children with ASD.

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Funding

This research was financially supported by a PhD grant attributed to the first author (SFRH/BD/143886/2019) from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INET-md - Instituto de Etnomusicologia - Centro de Estudos em Música e Dança, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

    Adriana Frazão & Paula Lebre

  2. Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Estrada da Costa, 1499-002, Cruz Quebrada – Dafundo, Portugal

    Adriana Frazão

  3. UIDEF - Instituto da Educação , Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa , Lisbon, Portugal

    Sofia Santos

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  1. Adriana Frazão
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Correspondence to Adriana Frazão.

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Frazão, A., Santos, S. & Lebre, P. Psychomotor Intervention Practices for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Scoping Review. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 10, 319–336 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00295-2

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