Despite evidence that physical activity (PA) interventions show promise for improving social and physical health, limited research examines how different PAs influence socialization and PA levels in adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) and autism. This presentation reports findings from a single case alternating treatment study that compared soccer-based and fitness-based interventions on social engagement and PA levels in four adolescents with ID and autism. Frequency of spontaneous initiations and responses to peers and coaches, and percentage of time in light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across both conditions were analyzed. Results indicated that while experimental control for spontaneous initiations and responses was not evident in either intervention, high social validity ratings revealed critical factors affecting participant engagement in the intervention. Analysis identified key factors that influenced social opportunities, including peer-mediated instruction strategies, visual supports, and differentiated prompting hierarchies. Drawing from these findings, this presentation provides an evidence-informed framework for systematically adapting PA interventions for students with ID and autism. Attendees will explore research-based implementation strategies such as identifying appropriate social skill targets, choosing instructional methods feasible for classroom and community settings, and selecting strategies to promote maintenance and generalization. The presentation aligns the study results with practice-based implications to improve physical and social well-being for adolescents with ID and autism.

Authors:
Christianna Blanchard-Alworth, Old Dominion University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Christianna Blanchard-Alworth, award winning teacher, researcher. Lecturer in Special Education at Old Dominion University. Dedicated to expanding physical activity for all humans. Currently investigating social justice in education settings.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianna-blanchard-alworth-phd-ab916011a/

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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