The Effect of exercises variability in acquisition and learning over arm throw accuracy in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acquisition and learning task of over hand throwing accuracy in children with autism in different training conditions.
This research benefited a semi-experimental method. The population of this study included male and female children with a diagnosis of autism aged 5 to 7 years old in Darrehshahr. A convenient sample of 18 children with autism was recruited. Based on their pre-test scores they were divided into three different groups of constant practice, blocked variable practice and random variable practice. The participants performed the over hand throwing task on the goals which put on their front wall with a distance of three meters away of them. Constant practice group performed current task onto target which had 60cm×60cm length whereas blocked and variable practice groups performed onto targets which had 30×30 cm, 60×60 cm and 90×90 cm length. Acquisition phase consisted of 6 blocks with each 6 trials performed during 3 days. Retention test performed after 24 hours of last session of acquisition and then transfer test performed after 10 minutes of retention test with making change in targets length.
The results of the acquisition phase showed that three groups had improved performance. However, it was not significant (P≥0/05). The performance of constant practice group compared with other groups improved in retention test (p≤0/05) but nobody of three groups revealed no significant difference in transfer test (P≥0/05).
The current finding detected using constant practice in children with autism can contain effectively effect on the learning of over arm throwing task. Also practice specificity principle is confirmed in children with autism. According to these findings it suggests to coaches and trainer who are engage with such people to use constant practice for learning of motor skills like this.