Teaching Ball-Throwing Skills to a Boy With Asperger's Disorder: A Case Study

Abstract

In the present case study, ball-throwing skills were taught to a boy with Asperger's disorder, and secondary benefits for him from that experience were examined. The teaching program was based on applied behavior analysis. After a task analysis that divided overhand ball-throwing behavior into 10 behavior units, training utilized visual stimulus prompts and a chaining procedure, in a changing criterion design. The results showed that, although it took some time to achieve, all the behavior items were learned, so that the boy acquired skills necessary for ball throwing, The present study cenfirms the effectiveness of prompts using picture cards and behavioral coaching. It was diflicult to maintain the boy's motivatien for the prolonged training, although verbal interaction may be effbctive to increase motivation. Sccondary effects observed included increased social intcraction and a more proactive attitude towards exercise, behaviors that wcre net goals of the teaching program. Such eflects may indicate potential benefits of the acquisitien of sports skills as one component of leisure activities of children with deveiopmental disorders.

Scoping Review: Physical Activity and Social Functioning in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…The findings of Matsushita and Sonoyama (2010) are akin to those of Miltenberger and Charlop (2014), who observed an SF outcome specific to their PA intervention (PA training → ↑SF in PA). An 11-year-old male with Asperger syndrome participated in 17 one-hour sessions of target throwing practice with the researcher.…”