The effectiveness of an integrated physical rehabilitation program for children with autism spectrum disorders: enhancing daily living, mobility, social functionality, and learning capabili

The study of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in childhood is increasingly capturing the interest of researchers and general practitioners. The growing medical and social significance of ASD is attributed not only to advances in diagnostic accuracy, increased detection, and subsequent refinement of prevalence estimates, but also to the recognition of autism as a psychotic component in various conditions. Autism is prevalent worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over the past 30–40 years, the incidence of autism across countries where statistics are available ranges from 50 to 116 cases per 10,000 children, with an average prevalence of 1%. In Ukraine, the Ministry of Health reports a 2.5-fold increase in ASD diagnoses between 2006 and 2019. The aim of the study is to develop a comprehensive physical rehabilitation program integrating physical therapy and occupational therapy and to analyze the outcomes of these interventions in young children with autism spectrum disorders. Research methods. The research employed empirical, sociological, clinical, instrumental, and statistical methods, including analysis of specialized scientific literature, content analysis of medical records, and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). A comprehensive physical rehabilitation program for children with autism spectrum disorders was developed, incorporating physical therapy and occupational therapy. Data collected were processed using appropriate mathematical and statistical methods. Findings. Based on the results of the study, sessions conducted using the developed physical therapy and occupational therapy program demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to home-based activities guided by parent-implemented recommendations.