Habilidades psicomotoras de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista: uma análise no contexto de um projeto social de atividades aquáticas: uma análise no contexto de um projeto social de atividades aquáticas

The aim of this study was to assess the psychomotor skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) taking part in a social project involving aquatic activities. This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study investigated 16 participants with ASD aged between 6 and 11 before the start of the interventions. An adaptation of the Motor Development Scale (MDS) was used to assess fine motor skills, overall motor skills and balance. For data analysis, the results were presented using absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies, arithmetic means and standard deviations. All statistical procedures were carried out using IBM® SPSS® software. The results show significant motor deficits in children with ASD, with performance below chronological age in the motor skills investigated. Themajority, 7 (43.75%), presented “Lower” or “Much Lower” levels, while 5 (31.25%) reached intermediate classifications (“Medium Normal” and “High Normal”). The absence of participants in the “Superior” and “Very Superior” categories suggests a pattern of motor impairment, indicating that motor difficulties can directly impact the functionality and autonomy of these children. In addition, the failure of some participants to complete the assessment may be related to cognitive, emotional or engagement barriers, factors that should be considered in the methodological adaptation of future interventions.