This study will be a randomized trial that will examine the impact of a recreational ballet program on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research team are primarily interested in assessing changes in motor skills with secondary objectives focused on the social, psychological, and behavioral effects. The study will aim to collect data from 24 participants with ASD. Participants must be 7-12 years old, have a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, and speak English or Spanish. All participants will be enrolled in a 12 week ballet program. The ballet program is based off the curriculum and structure of Ballet for All Kids, a non-profit organization that has been tailoring ballet classes for children with ASD for over one decade. All research team members and volunteers will be trained in the BFAK program's curriculum and structure. Ballet instruction and all research materials will be provided in both English and Spanish. The research team will randomize the sample into an intervention group and waitlist control. The research team will measure outcomes through validated self-reports that caregivers will complete. For the intervention group, questionnaires will be completed at baseline and throughout the intervention (weeks 4, 8, and 12). For those in the waitlist control group, questionnaires will be completed at baseline, throughout the intervention group's ballet classes, and throughout their own participation in the program. Results of this study will help to determine if how a recreational ballet program can impact the motor, psychological, social, and behavioral skills of a child with ASD, informing the direction of future research and interventions.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
24
The intervention consists of 12 weeks of ballet classes that follow the structure and curriculum of Ballet for All Kids (BFAK). BFAK is a non-profit organization that has been tailoring ballet classes for children with autism spectrum disorder for over one decade. Ballet classes will be held once a week for 45 minute sessions and led by trained medical and graduate students who have successfully completed BFAK's training and certification. BFAK instruction is based on the Schlachte Method, which combines auditory, visual, vestibular, and emotional learning to individualize instruction to match each child's skill level. In classroom accommodations include, but are not limited to a visual schedule, personal dance areas demarcated by tape on the floor, and one-on-one volunteer assistance.
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York, United States
Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire
Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' motor skills throughout the study. Minimum score= 15. Maximum score= 75. A higher score indicates more advanced motor skills.
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
Aberrant Behavior Checklist
The Aberrant Behavior Checklist will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' behaviors such as irritability; lethargy; stereotypy; hyperactivity; and inappropriate speech. Minimum score= 0. Maximum score= 174. A higher score indicates a greater degree of that behavior (i.e. higher scores on irritability would indicate that child tends to be more irritable).
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
Social Responsiveness Scale 2
The Social Responsiveness Scale 2 will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' social behaviors throughout the study. Minimum raw score = 65. Maximum raw score = 260. T-scores have a mean of 50 and a SD of 10. Raw scores are converted to T scores based on the child's gender. A higher score indicates more severe social impairments.
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (Abbreviated)
The Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' sleep throughout the study. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score = 154. A higher score indicates more sleep disturbances.
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
The Repetitive Behavior Scale
The Repetitive Behavior Scale will be completed by caregivers and will assess participants' repetitive behaviors and restricted interests throughout the study. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score = 129. A higher score indicates more severe behaviors.
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
Caregiver Strain Questionnaire
The Caregiver Strain Questionnaire will be completed by caregivers and will assess caregivers' stress related to parental/familial responsibilities throughout the study. Minimum score = 21. Maximum score = 105. A higher score indicates that a caregiver experiences more distress due to their familial responsibilities.
Time frame: at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12
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