Abstract:

Autism spectrum disorder (TEA in brazilian) is considered to be a disorder of neurodevelopment and behavior that is characterized by difficulty in interaction and social communication, and may be associated with other syndromes with multiple causes. Individuals with TEA have irregular human development patterns and deficits in motor development. Relational Psychomotricity (PR) is a pedagogical practice, dedicated to the spontaneous corporal movement and to the play that uses the imaginary and the symbolic, the emotional and the affective. This study aims to evaluate the effects of relational psychomotricity sessions on the motor skills profile and postural control in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. It is an exploratory-descriptive research, with an outline of an evaluative case study. A 5-year-old individual diagnosed with TEA was followed. The Motor Development Scale (EDM) and Force Platform Posturography were used to collect pre-test and post-test data. Eight PR sessions were applied with children with TEA, one per week with a duration of 60 minutes, Recorded by a report built by the teachers of the session. The child was then reassessed. The results were analyzed descriptively (pre-test and post-test), the Motor Development Scale by its own scale and the Posturography by the percentage delta of variation (Δ%). The PR sessions promoted to the individual a corporal experience that allowed a greater movement and interaction with the teachers, and with the other children in the session, modifying the profile of the motor skills and the postural control, fact that was demonstrated through the positive results of the EDM And in the reduction of postural oscillation. Advances were found in the EDM tests in the areas of fine motor, global motricity, body schema and temporal organization, showing no difference in the area of ​​equilibrium and showing a decrease in scores in the spatial organization area. The general motor quotient (QMG) went from a much lower rating (QMG: 61.5) to low normal (QMG: 82.4), modifying the classification of severe risk for mild risk in motor development. Posturography showed decrease scores in the center of pressure oscillations in the analyzed variables. As conclusion the research shows the sessions of PR had positive effects on the profile of motor skills and postural control of the individual with TEA.

Keywords:

Autism, Motor development, Motor deficits, Relational Psychomotricity, Play.