Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is among the most common childhood disorders. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of Kangoo Jump (KJ) exercises on dynamic balance and overall postural oscillations in children with ASD. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study. Among children with ASD in the Autism Association and Autism Schools in Tehran City, Iran, 20 subjects were selected using screening tests; after assessing the dynamic balance and general postural sway as a pretest, they were randomly divided into two groups of experimental and control. The experimental group performed KJ exercises for 8 weeks; eventually, all individuals were tested for dynamic balance and postural control as a posttest. The obtained data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results: This study suggested that performing KJ significantly improved the dynamic balance in children with an ASD disorder. There was a significant difference between the mean scores of the control and experimental groups in the posttest stage in dynamic equilibrium (P<0.001); however, no difference was observed between the study groups in postural control. Conclusion: Using KJ to improve dynamic balance in children with ASD is beneficial. Therefore, these interventions can improve various aspects of development and balance in children with ASDs.

Despite communication challenges, research suggests that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can benefit from foreign language education. This aligns with their strengths in visual learning and the documented effect of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in teaching language to children with ASD. Building on these strengths, this qualitative case study investigated the effectiveness of combining Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) strategies for teaching English language skills to an 8-year-old boy with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at Sara Autism Center. The study employed detailed observations to explore the participant's experience learning English as a foreign language. The findings revealed a significant increase in vocabulary (30 words within three months) and highlighted the effect of ABA and PECS in facilitating language acquisition and generalization. The use of the Let Me Talk app on an iPad to support communication and parental involvement were identified as crucial factors for success. This case study emphasizes the importance of multimodal learning approaches. It also highlights the need to tailor interventions to individual needs for effective language development in autistic children. The findings offer valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and parents invested in improving educational outcomes for children with ASD.