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Kangarani Farahani, Melika

University of British Columbia

Up to 88% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience motor difficulties consistent with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). While these motor difficulties are not core symptoms of ASD, they significantly interfere with daily life and are rarely the focus of therapy. The Cognitive Orientation to Occupational Performance (CO-OP) intervention is effective in helping children with DCD learn motor skills. However, it is unknown whether this treatment is effective for children with ASD+DCD and if CO-OP induces positive brain changes in this clinical population. In this randomized waitlist-controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04119492), I utilized behavioural and neuroimaging outcome measures: (1) to determine if CO-OP intervention is effective in improving motor outcomes, white matter microstructure, and brain functional connectivity in children with ASD+DCD; and (2) whether these gains were maintained three months after intervention. Twenty-six children, aged 8-12 years, with ASD (without intellectual disability) and DCD were recruited and underwent an initial MRI scan. They were then randomly assigned to either a treatment or a waitlist group. The treatment group received CO-OP intervention weekly for 10 weeks after the first scan, followed by a second MRI post-intervention and a follow-up scan three months later. In contrast, the waitlist group underwent the second MRI scan before receiving CO-OP intervention and had a third MRI post-intervention. After CO-OP intervention, children with ASD+DCD showed significant improvement in all motor outcomes including self-rated motor performance and satisfaction, movement quality, and motor proficiency, as well as improved brain structure and function in regions responsible for motor and cognitive functions. Furthermore, they maintained these changes three months after intervention; however, there was a lack of transfer to other motor skills. In conclusion, CO-OP improved both motor and brain outcomes in children with ASD+DCD, demonstrating a lasting impact and providing evidence of its effectiveness for this clinical group.

Text

2025-04-30

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/87888

Rehabilitation Sciences

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/