The Evaluation of Developments in Children with Autism within the Framework of Hemsball Training: From the Trainer’s and Parents’ Perspective

Abstract

This study was designed to answer questions about why hemsball, an activity that allows children with autism to be easily involved and allows for individualized adaptations, can be an alternative activity for children with autism. The aim of this study is to examine the observations of parents and trainers for the evaluation of developments in children with autism with in the frame work of hemsball training. This study adopted a qualitative research model and was designed as a case study.The study group in the research consists of 8 parents and one trainer, who were selected by easily accessible case sampling method and participated in the research voluntarily. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the parents and the trainer to achieve the aims of the research. In the first part of the form given to the parents, there is personal in formation and general information about the participation of their child with autism in hemsball training, and in the second form, there are interview forms consisting of 3 semi-structured questions for the parent and the trainer. After the interviews, the data were coded with the maticanalysis method. Content analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data obtained in the research. The changes that parents and hemsball trainer saw in children with autism after the hemsball training started were collected under 6 themes: motor, behavioral, academic, language and communication, sociological and psychological. And as a result, it was revealed that children with autism showed positive development in these six themes.