Authors
Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of two karate
techniques on the reduction in stereotypic behaviours in three 5-year-old boys with
autistic disorders. The study included three boys with autistic disorders. A singlesubject
method with A-B-A design was used. Participants of the present study were
required to exercise two karate techniques (Zuki and Mae-Geri) for 12 weeks.
Changes in the severity of stereotypic behaviours were assessed by Gilliam Autism
Rating Scale (second edition) during intervention process and during one month
after intervention with one-week intervals. Results showed that with respect to
descriptive statistics and visual analytics, the karate techniques had an effect on all
three participants (PND=100% for first and third participants, PND=50% for the
second participant) and this reduction was maintained one month after the end of
the intervention. The findings of the present study indicated that teaching karate
techniques to autistic children dramatically decreased their stereotypic behaviours.
Keywords
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