Effects of an Inclusive Physical Activity Program on the Motor Skills, Social Skills and Attitudes of Students with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Sansi et al. (2021) ran a school-based inclusive physical activity program. Kids with autism and typical peers exercised together in the same class.

The team used a randomized design. Some classes got the program right away. Others waited and served as the control group.

Students with autism gained both motor and social skills. Their typical classmates also moved better and felt more positive about the kids with autism.

Both groups improved, but the gains showed up in different areas. The program helped everyone in the room, not just the autistic students.

Koh (2024) pooled 16 studies and found the same social boost, especially when programs last over 12 weeks. Ahmet’s trial is one of the studies inside that bigger picture.

Chan et al. (2021) looked at 12 trials and saw small-to-moderate social gains, with younger kids gaining the most. Ahmet’s elementary sample lines up with that age trend.

Yuill et al. (2007) took a different path: they changed the playground instead of the lesson plan. Both studies raised peer play, showing that either tactic can work.

You can add short, inclusive movement breaks to any school day. Pick games that need partners, like relay races or parachute pops. Pair each autistic student with a supportive peer. Track two things: how well they move and how often they talk or share. One 15-minute block can hit both motor and social goals at once.