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Evaluation of fundamental motor skills in children with and without disabilities using the TGMD-3 assessment tool (Master thesis)

Μπότσαρη, Αγγελική-Κλωτίλδη/ Botsari, Angeliki-Klotildi

Two commonly occurring neurodevelopmental disorders are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with an incidence of 1-2% in the childhood population, and Intellectual Disability (ID), with an incidence of 1-3%, while combined, they affect 3-5% of the population. In order for children with ASD and AD to be able to cope with both everyday motor demands and recreational sporting activities, they need an adequate level of learning of their fundamental motor skills (FMS). These skills are essential for motor competence and are considered the basic building blocks for the development of more complex motor skills. The purpose of the present study is to assess the FMS using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 (TGMD-3) in children with ASD and AD and to compare their performance with a group of typically developing children of the same age. The study included 14 children, aged 7 to 10 years with neurodevelopmental disorders and 14 typically developing children who were assessed with the TGMD-3. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups on 9 of the 13 TGMDs of the test, with the group of typically developing children performing statistically significantly higher. However, no statistically significant differences were found in the skills: gallop, horizontal jump, lateral steps and receiving the ball with two hands. It should be noted that these 4 skills are practiced on a daily basis in the timetable of the Special Primary School where the children attend, which explains their relatively high performance.