title: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Patterns of Participation in Daily Physical and Play Activities.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) indicates several neurodevelopmental impairments which may end in impairments in motor or physical activities. Daily physical activity involvement was investigated in a total of 83 children (52 boys and 31 girls) with ASD aged 6-15 years. Results indicated that only 10 (12%) of children with ASD were physically active. Children were predominantly engaged in solitary play rather than social play activities. Gender, family income, and household structure were found to be associated with activity scores. Financial burden and lack of opportunities were noted as the leading barriers to physical activities. In conclusion, findings indicated a low rate of physical activity participation in children with ASD that is closely associated with sociodemographic variables.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Hossein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Memari
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Nekoo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panahi
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Pouria
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moshayedi
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafiei
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Sports Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kordi
authors.affiliation: Growth and Development Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ziaee