Adapted judo for children with autistic spectrum disorder: the AUTJUDO project

Physical activity is one of the main components for health and wellbeing in all kinds of populations. It has been shown that persons with ID have decreased cardiovascular fitness and present lower rates of PA. They are considered inactive and very sedentary. Barriers to be active are several: socio-economic, low autonomy, institutionalization, lack of motivation and movement limitations. Since some years ago, researches are proposing different kind of activities that could be motivating for this population, and that would improve not only their functionality and fitness levels, but also produce some cognitive and social benefits. The Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined as a developmental and neurological disorder with an idiopathic etiology that appears with difficulties and deficits for communication and social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and stereotypes. ASD includes several conditions that use to be diagnosed separately: Autistic disorder, Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome. The learning, thinking, and problem-solving abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to severely challenged. Some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives; others need less. People with ASD also show motor difficulties. Judo might attract children and youngsters with ASD because of their repetitive structure. It decreases stress and cortisol levels in youngsters with ASD. It improves health and psychosocial behaviors and decreases aggressive conducts.

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