This study explored whether frequency of engagement in physical activity (PA) was associated with differences in adaptive behavior (i.e., communication, socialization, daily living, and motor skills) among young children recent diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A total of 118 children (32 ± 4 months; 72% boys) underwent physician specialist's evaluation at a university-based neurodevelopmental clinic, alongside their parent (35 ± 7 years; 81% mothers). Children were assessed using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Mullen Scales of Early Learning, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, and a physician examination. Parents completed the Weekly Physical Activity Checklist for their child, as well as a self-report depression and demographic questionnaire. After controlling for known confounders, there was a small positive association between frequency of engagement in PA and adaptive behavior (Cohen's d = 0.36, 95%CL = ±0.32) (p = 0.027). There was also a small positive association between PA and three of the four subdomains of adaptive behavior: socialization (d = 0.32, 95%CL ±0.27) (p = 0.018), daily living (d = 0.29, 95%CL ±0.25) (p = 0.026), and motor skills (d = 0.31, 95%CL ±0.29) (p = 0.038). Frequency of engagement in PA was not statistically significantly associated with children's communication skills (d = 0.09, 95%CL ±0.29) (p = 0.547). Children with ASD often exhibit delays in adaptive functioning. The associations between PA and adaptive skills observed in our study signals the potential contribution of increased PA as part of early intervention for children with such neurodevelopmental disorders to achieve greater functional outcomes.

这项研究探讨了最近诊断为自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的幼儿中参与体育活动（PA）的频率是否与适应行为（即沟通，社交，日常生活和运动技能）的差异相关。总共118名儿童（32±4个月； 72％的男孩）与父母（35±7岁； 81％的母亲）一起在大学的神经发育诊所接受了医师专科医生的评估。使用自闭症诊断观察时间表，Mullen早期学习量表，Vineland适应行为量表和医师检查对儿童进行评估。父母为他们的孩子填写了每周体育锻炼清单，以及一份自我报告的抑郁症和人口统计学问卷。在控制了已知的混杂因素之后，d  ＝ 0.36，95％CL ＝±0.32）（p  ＝ 0.027）。PA与适应行为的四个子域中的三个之间也存在较小的正相关：社交化（d  = 0.32，95％CL±0.27）（p  = 0.018），日常生活（d  = 0.29，95％CL±0.25） （p  = 0.026）和运动技能（d  = 0.31，95％CL±0.29）（p  = 0.038）。参与PA的频率与儿童的沟通技巧没有统计学显着相关性（d  = 0.09，95％CL±0.29）（p = 0.547）。患有自闭症的儿童经常表现出适应性功能的延迟。在我们的研究中观察到的PA与适应能力之间的关联表明，PA升高是这种神经发育障碍儿童获得更大功能结局的早期干预措施的潜在贡献。