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A Protocol for Basketball as Inclusive Sport to Boost Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Preschoolers

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  • Annalisa Levante

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Laboratory of Applied Psychology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Chiara Martis

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Antonioli

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Massimo Dima

    (University Sport Center, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Luigia Duma

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Marco Perrone

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Flavia Lecciso

    (Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
    Laboratory of Applied Psychology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents the Early Basketball Protocol, a sports-based intervention designed to improve motor and socio-emotional skills in autistic preschoolers. Recognizing the paucity of sports protocols for younger autistic children, we developed this protocol using basketball rules to foster an inclusive setting where autistic preschoolers ( n = 4) and their typically developing peers ( n = 13) could engage in activities together. The protocol aims to simultaneously develop motor and socio-emotional skills through inclusive sports activities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of the protocol was evaluated using parent-reported measures. A narrative approach synthesized the parental answers, and a pre–post-test analysis evaluated the preliminary application of the EB protocol based on parent-reported perceptions. Encouraging longitudinal results emerged, particularly in the improvement of socio-emotional skills for all participants. However, the early disruption of activities due to the pandemic may have contributed to the lack of improvement in gross motor skills. The paper discusses the practical implications of these findings and outlines future research directions, emphasizing the critical role of social inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Annalisa Levante & Chiara Martis & Giuseppe Antonioli & Massimo Dima & Luigia Duma & Marco Perrone & Flavia Lecciso, 2024. "A Protocol for Basketball as Inclusive Sport to Boost Motor and Social Skills in Autistic Preschoolers," Disabilities, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:4:y:2024:i:4:p:59-971:d:1525434
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sixin Yang & Zhimei Liu & Xuan Xiong & Kelong Cai & Lina Zhu & Xiaoxiao Dong & Jingui Wang & Hao Zhu & Yifan Shi & Aiguo Chen, 2021. "Effects of Mini-Basketball Training Program on Social Communication Impairment and Executive Control Network in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Jinfeng Huang & Chunjie Du & Jianjin Liu & Guangxin Tan, 2020. "Meta-Analysis on Intervention Effects of Physical Activities on Children and Adolescents with Autism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Hadi Nobari & Mohamad Fashi & Arezoo Eskandari & Santos Villafaina & Álvaro Murillo-Garcia & Jorge Pérez-Gómez, 2021. "Effect of COVID-19 on Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents and Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Federica Bianco & Annalisa Levante & Serena Petrocchi & Flavia Lecciso & Ilaria Castelli, 2021. "Maternal Psychological Distress and Children’s Internalizing/Externalizing Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role Played by Hypermentalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, October.
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    6. Androulla Harris & Joanne M. Williams, 2017. "The Impact of a Horse Riding Intervention on the Social Functioning of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, July.
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