A comparison of the effectiveness of interventions based on min dfulness for mothers and legotherapy training on the symptoms of autism disorder in children

Autism is a complex developmental disorder that challenges not only the individual but also the family and the community.

The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of interventions based on mindfulness training of mothers and Lego therapy on signs of autism in children.

This quasi-experimental research had a multiple-group pretest-posttest design and a control and follow-up group. In addition, it was an applied study in terms of objective. The statistical population included 85 children with autism, who referred to two autism rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran in 2019. In total, 30 subjects were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into three groups of (1 and 2) test and control (10 subjects per group). The participants in the test groups attended 12 45-minute sessions while the control group received no treatment. Data were collected using the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (1994), and data analysis was performed in SPSS version 22.

In this study, the results of repeated measures ANOVA showed the effectiveness of mindfulness training of mothers and Lego therapy on the decrease of signs of autism and its dimensions (social interactions, social interactions, communication, and stereotyped behaviors) (P< 0/001). However, Lego therapy had a greater impact, compared to mindfulness training.

According to the results of the present study, Lego therapy decreased the signs of autism in children more than the interventions based on mindfulness training of mothers.