The Effect of Adapted Physical Activities on an Individual with Special Need’s Turn-Taking Skills

Abstract

This study adopts a qualitative approach and uses a case study design to examine the potential benefits of Adapted Physical Activities (APA) in improving turn-taking skills in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A 12-year-old female participant with moderate intellectual disability participated in a 12-week APA training program. Researchers conducted one-hour interviews with his family and three teachers to gain in-depth information about his experiences and perceptions. Interview data transcribed with participants' consent showed that APA contributed to a potential improvement in skills vital to social and academic abilities, including turn-taking and waiting. As a result, the findings obtained from this study showed that APA positively contributes to taking turns and waiting, which are of great importance in interpersonal interaction, especially in terms of communication rhythms and mutual exchanges. In this context, educators can enhance the quality of life for individuals with special needs in educational settings through UFA.