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ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PERCEIVED HEALTH AMONG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Ramsha Younas, Arham Shahzad, Gul Andama, Laraib Zahra, Haleema Kashif, Kiran Shafique, Maria Khalid

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Abstract:

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social and communicative behavior and a limited range of activities and interests before the age of 3 years.

Objective: To assess physical activity and perceived health among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Methodology: Observational Cross-sectional study design was used to conduct Research. Sample of 163 patients (age 8-14 years) with ASD was taken. Non Probability Convenience Sampling Technique was used. After informed consent, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Childhood health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) were used to collect data. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. For continuous variables Mean ± SD (Standard deviation) was used to analyze demographical data. Data was collected from Special Education Centers in four months after the approval of synopsis.

Results: IPAQ-C was used to assess physical activity of children. 57(35%) children had low physical activity, 84(51.5%) children had moderate physical activity, 21(12.9%) had high physical activity. CHAQ was use to assess perceived health. 51(31.3%) children had best possible health state and 112(68.7%) had worst possible health state.

Conclusion: Study concludes that children have moderate or low level of physical activity and decreased perception of health as majority had worst possible health state with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Physical activity, Perceived health