PARENTAL VIEWS OF AN IRISH GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION SPORTS CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM

S. Kinsella¹, A. Horan¹, S. Healy²

¹SETU, Health and Sport Science, Carlow, Ireland, ²DCU, School of Nursing, Dublin, Ireland

Background: The Irish Gaelic Association Association (GAA) summer camp for children with autism spectrum provide them with a naturalist opportunity to develop fundamental movement skills (FMS) and social skills. There is limited research investigating these types of camps and previous literature has focused mainly on its impact on social and motor skills. Children with autism spectrum face numerous barriers which prevent them from participating in physical activity and the development of FMS. This current study will aid in understanding the specific needs of this population, in this naturalist setting, to ensure optimal enjoyment and involvement.

Purpose: The current study examined the parents perspective of an Irish Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) 3-day summer camp designed specifically to the needs of children with autism spectrum.

Methods: A survey was administered to parents of 33 children who attended a 3-day GAA specifically designed summer sports camp for children with autism. The survey was designed and distributed via google forms to the parents of the children retrospectively. The survey examined the views of the parents of the camp under four key areas; Information received prior to the camp, the running of the camp, impacts on the child, and the ideal future camps.

Results: The children who attended the camp were mainly male (87.9%), aged 5-8, verbal and had mild autistic symptoms. The majority of the parents rated the camp as ‘absolutely brilliant’ (68.8%) and ‘very well structured’ (84.4%). The social story provided prior to the camp to the participants was deemed appropriate by 87.9% of parents. Issues with external stimuli were reported by the parents resulting in their child becoming over whelmed. For the majority it was more than one stimulus, with the most common reported been loud noises. Parents noticed changes in their child’s autistic traits/symptoms following the camp with 30.3% (n=10) reporting a decrease in anxiety, being more talkative and sociable, and sharing a new interest with their siblings. FMS were reported in 51.6% of the participants (n=16) as being improved following the camp. The majority of parents (54.4%) reported that their child found the instructions for exercises easy to understand but that future camps would benefit from more visual aids and simple directions by coaches. Interestingly, following the camp 90.9% of the children did not transition into playing any GAA sports in the community.

Conclusions: The GAA camp for children with autism spectrum was well received by parents and their children and resulted in positive improvements in FMS and autistic traits/symptoms. Areas for improvement for future camps include greater use of visuals and clearer instructions by coaches. In conclusion this study suggests that when the specific needs of this population are taken into consideration, children with autism spectrum can enjoy, participate and benefit in GAA sports camps.

Implications: Physiotherapist should encourage their paediatric patients with autism spectrum to participate in inclusive sports camps. These camps can have positive benefits on FMS and autistic traits. Input from a mutli-disciplinary team in the design and implementation of the camp would assist in optimising the barriers perceived by parents.

Funding acknowledgements: No funding was provided for this project

Keywords:
Inclusive sports summer camp
Adapted physical activity
Children with autism spectrum

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Disability & rehabilitation
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Institute of Technology Carlow, Ireland

Committee: Institute of Technology Carlows' ethics committee

Ethics number: No number