Start Date
18-6-2025 12:30 PM
End Date
18-6-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to assess fundamental movement skills (FMS) and Gaelic games (GG) specific motor skills of Irish primary-aged autistic children. GG refers to the traditional sports played in Ireland, specifically Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie, in this context. Deficits in FMS are a significant barrier to physical activity participation for this population (Okkenhaug et al. 2024).
Methods: Thirteen autistic children (9 boys and 4 girls, aged 7.92 ± 1.55 yrs) participated in this study. Each child completed the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) and a newly developed GG motor skill assessment. The GG assessment was designed similarly to the TGMD-3 with each skill being assessed using a series of criteria which received either a 1 (criterion met) or 0 (criterion not met). These criteria were developed in collaboration with experienced GG coaches and through ‘Tobar’, the Gaelic Athletic Association’s online e-learning resource. The GG assessment consisted of; a punt kick, a Gaelic Football handpass, a Hurling/Camogie Handpass, a one-hand catch of a small ball, and a ground strike.
Results: Mean TGMD-3 score was 47.23 (SD=8.30), in comparison to mean TGMD-3 data for aged-matched non-autistic children ranging from 60-86. GG assessment scores had a mean of 13.61 (SD=5.74), of a possible 36.
Conclusion: This study has provided insight into FMS of Irish autistic children and, for the first time, their performance in GG-based motor movements. This novel GG skill assessment will be valuable for future research into understanding participation of this population in the most popular Irish sports.
Recommended Citation
Ryan, Edel Ms; McDonnell, Dean Dr; Healy, Sean Dr; Lloyd, Rhodri Dr; and Kinsella, Sharon Dr, "Cross-sectional Descriptive Study Assessing Fundamental Motor and GAA Specific Motor Skills in Irish Primary-school aged Autistic Children" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 25.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day3/25
Cross-sectional Descriptive Study Assessing Fundamental Motor and GAA Specific Motor Skills in Irish Primary-school aged Autistic Children
Introduction: This study aimed to assess fundamental movement skills (FMS) and Gaelic games (GG) specific motor skills of Irish primary-aged autistic children. GG refers to the traditional sports played in Ireland, specifically Gaelic Football, Hurling and Camogie, in this context. Deficits in FMS are a significant barrier to physical activity participation for this population (Okkenhaug et al. 2024).
Methods: Thirteen autistic children (9 boys and 4 girls, aged 7.92 ± 1.55 yrs) participated in this study. Each child completed the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) and a newly developed GG motor skill assessment. The GG assessment was designed similarly to the TGMD-3 with each skill being assessed using a series of criteria which received either a 1 (criterion met) or 0 (criterion not met). These criteria were developed in collaboration with experienced GG coaches and through ‘Tobar’, the Gaelic Athletic Association’s online e-learning resource. The GG assessment consisted of; a punt kick, a Gaelic Football handpass, a Hurling/Camogie Handpass, a one-hand catch of a small ball, and a ground strike.
Results: Mean TGMD-3 score was 47.23 (SD=8.30), in comparison to mean TGMD-3 data for aged-matched non-autistic children ranging from 60-86. GG assessment scores had a mean of 13.61 (SD=5.74), of a possible 36.
Conclusion: This study has provided insight into FMS of Irish autistic children and, for the first time, their performance in GG-based motor movements. This novel GG skill assessment will be valuable for future research into understanding participation of this population in the most popular Irish sports.