Using Martial Arts to Address Social and Behavioral Functioning in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Authors

  • Alexis Bell Temple University
  • Kelly Palace Temple University
  • Morgan Allen Temple University
  • Rhonda Nelson Temple University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TRJ-2016-V50-I2-7287

Keywords:

adolescents, autism, autism spectrum disorders, children, martial arts

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are the second most common developmental disability in the United States, and prevalence is rising (Paul, 2011). Individuals with ASD commonly experience a variety of symptoms that impact social and behavioral functioning. Recently, several different martial arts have been explored as interventions that can lead to positive social and behavioral outcomes in children and adolescents with ASD.

This brief literature review focused on the social and behavioral benefits of participation in martial arts programs for children and adolescents with ASD.  Specific martial arts interventions, program structure, facilitation considerations, motivation for participation, and parent perceptions are all discussed. A knowledge translation plan is also presented to guide therapists in structuring evidence-based interventions.

Author Biographies

Alexis Bell, Temple University

Alexis Bell is a graduate student in the MS in Recreation Therapy program at Temple University.

Kelly Palace, Temple University

Kelly Palace is a graduate student in the MS in Recreation Therapy program at Temple University.

Morgan Allen, Temple University

Morgan Allen is a graduate student in the MS in Recreation Therapy program at Temple University.

Rhonda Nelson, Temple University

Rhonda Nelson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at Temple University, and Program Director for the Therapeutic Recreation Program.

Downloads

Additional Files

Published

2016-04-29

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 2 (2016)

Section

Student Research

License

Sagamore Publishing LLC (hereinafter the “Copyright Owner”)

Journal Publishing Copyright Agreement for Authors

PLEASE REVIEW OUR POLICIES AND THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT, AND INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS BY CHECKING THE ‘AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS COPYRIGHT NOTICE’ CHECKBOX BELOW.

I understand that by submitting an article to Therapeutic Recreation Journal, I am granting the copyright to the article submitted for consideration for publication in Therapeutic Recreation Journal to the Copyright Owner. If after consideration of the Editor of the Therapeutic Recreation Journal, the article is not accepted for publication, all copyright covered under this agreement will be automatically returned to the Author(s).

THE PUBLISHING AGREEMENT

Assignment of Copyright

I hereby assign to the Copyright Owner the copyright in the manuscript I am submitting in this online procedure and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript in all forms and media (whether now known or later developed), throughout the world, in all languages, for the full term of copyright, effective when the article is accepted for publication.

Reversion of Rights

Articles may sometimes be accepted for publication but later be rejected in the publication process, even in some cases after public posting in “Articles in Press” form, in which case all rights will revert to the Author.

Retention of Rights for Scholarly Purposes

I understand that I retain or am hereby granted the Retained Rights. The Retained Rights include the right to use the Preprint, Accepted Manuscript, and the Published Journal Article for Personal Use and Internal Institutional Use.

All journal material is under a 12 month embargo. Authors who would like to have their articles available as open access should contact Sagamore-Venture for further information.

In the case of the Accepted Manuscript and the Published Journal Article, the Retained Rights exclude Commercial Use, other than use by the author in a subsequent compilation of the author’s works or to extend the Article to book length form or re-use by the author of portions or excerpts in other works.

Published Journal Article: the author may share a link to the formal publication through the relevant DOI.

Author Representations

  • The Article I have submitted to the journal for review is original, has been written by the stated author(s) and has not been published elsewhere.
  • The Article was not submitted for review to another journal while under review by this journal and will not be submitted to any other journal.
  • The Article contains no libelous or other unlawful statements and does not contain any materials that violate any personal or proprietary rights of any other person or entity.
  • I have obtained written permission from copyright owners for any excerpts from copyrighted works that are included and have credited the sources in the Article.
  • If the Article was prepared jointly with other authors, I have informed the co-author(s) of the terms of this Journal Publishing Agreement and that I am signing on their behalf as their agent, and I am authorized to do so.