The Effect of Play-Based Early Intervention on Psychomotor Development of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of play-based early intervention on psychomotor development of 4-6-year-old children suffering from autism spectrum disorder. The research design was semi-experimental with pretest-posttest and a control group. 30 qualified children (15 males and 15 females) were randomly selected from 4-6-year-old children of Isfahan city in 2015 by convenience sampling method and assigned to experimental and control groups. Data were collected by Gesell Motor Developmental Scale (1940) completed by parents in pretest, posttest and follow-up. Then, experimental group received ten 90-minute treatment sessions once a week in which children participated in play-based early intervention. Control group received no treatment. Follow-up was conducted 30 days later. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. Results indicated a significant difference between experimental and control groups in psychomotor development. Moreover, intra-group differences, the interaction between two positions and changes in pretest, posttest and follow-up were significant in psychomotor development. Therefore, it can be concluded that play-based early interventions influence psychomotor development in children with autism spectrum disorder. Such interventions can be applied to improve and enhance these children’s skills.