Effects of a systematic manipulative skills motor activity programme on the eye-hand coordination of children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of a Systematic Manipulative Skills Motor Activity (SMSMA) Programme on the Eye-Hand coordination of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 10 children aged between 5 years to 7 years with moderate level of ASD were selected using the non-probability based convenience sampling technique. These children underwent a 6 week SMSMA Programme designed by the Researcher for 45mins, 5 days a week. The Eye-Hand coordination of these children was assessed using a Modified Minnesota Manual Dexterity (MMMD) assessment instrument. Descriptive statistics showed an increase in the mean performance from (523.25 sec, ±8.61) to (327.10 sec, ±5.46). Paired sample ‘t’ test was used to compare the change in performance which showed that the calculated ‘t’ value (70.275) was significant at 0.05 level of significance (p=0.000). Hence it was concluded that a 6 week SMSMA programme has a significant effect on the Eye-Hand coordination of children with ASD.