Motor deficits are a phenotype observed in children with autism. When provided with motor intervention, the children progress across different developmental domains. The problem is teachers in self-contained classrooms for nonverbal children with autism faced obstacles that needed to be overcome in implementing a motor intervention plan in public…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, German early childhood education and care (ECEC) institutions had to limit their provision of ECEC, implement protective measures, and handle new organizational tasks. Data from two longitudinal surveys (October 2020 to July 2021) among ECEC managers and pedagogical staff were analysed. Limited staff resources,…

Background: Having an intellectual disability increases the likelihood for exhibiting impairments in vision, hearing, and balance. The intersection of these issues has yet to be described in a large cohort. Methods: By hosting the largest public health database for individuals with intellectual disability, Special Olympics (SO) offers…

Many children with autism could benefit from adult support during motor play. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' perspectives on the importance of structured motor activities and how they might support the motor development of their young children with autism. Interviews were conducted with six parents of preschoolers with autism to…

Objectives: Support needs refer to the type, intensity and time necessary for a person to participate in the activities of daily living. The aim of this paper is to show the profile of support needs for children with cerebral palsy with regards to the level of functional ability of the upper and lower extremities. Methods: The sample comprised 40…

Background: Many Irish children are failing to meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity. Research shows that children are failing to develop the necessary physical literacy skills to reverse this trend. Early childhood has been identified as a critical period to intervene, with the school environment identified as a key environment to…

This paper describes the application of an integrated theoretical framework that consists of behavioral change models to plan preventative educational programs and target interventions to facilitate parent implementation of tummy time (prone positioning) to promote infant development and prevent flattening of the infant's skull. A qualitative…

Children with Coloboma, Heart defects, Atresia choanae, Restricted growth, Genital hypoplasia, and Ear abnormalities (CHARGE) syndrome have many sensory impairments that can cause delays in motor development impacting physical activity, health, and quality of life. However, only one limited study has investigated motor competence in children with…

This study presents the perceptions and practices of fundamental movement skills (FMS), healthy eating habits and physical activity (PA) in early years professionals (EYP). An online mixed-method survey comprising questions relating to practices of FMS, healthy eating habits and PA was completed by 137 EYPs (128 females). Frequency analysis…

Motor delays and abnormalities are common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Existing literature indicates neurotypical (NT) siblings can bring unique advantages in promoting skill acquisition for their brother/sister with ASD when they serve as intervention agents. However, NT siblings' involvement in motor interventions for…

Going down a slide, dancing to music, and pushing someone on a tire swing are more than simply "play activities" or a means to staying physically fit. Engagement in motor play provides important opportunities for preschoolers to develop a variety of skills, including gross motor, social, communication, and cognitive skills. However,…

Objective: Diagnostic assessment of ADHD is challenging due to comorbid psychopathologies and symptoms overlapping with other psychiatric disorders. In this study, we investigate if a distinct pattern of neuromuscular dysregulation previously reported in ADHD, can help identifying ADHD in psychiatric patients with diverse and complex symptoms.…

Since Bailey and Morley (2006) developed a model of talent development (TD) in physical education (PE), several researchers have attempted to understand TD in the PE context. However, the definition of 'talent' in PE remains unclear. Currently, "identifying" refers to using a range of predefined criteria to recognise potential;…

The aim of this study was to explore students' experiences with regulated physical education (RPE) as a placement option for PE classes. Four students from two high schools participated in in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed in accordance with Ricoeur's interpretation theory and informed by micro-sociology and phenomenology. The main…

Background: Research on physical education (PE) shows a prevalence of narrow and reductionist views on what counts as ability. These views tend to privilege certain students and marginalize others, and often equate ability with technique-based sport performance. A lot of research is still directed towards the above problem. However, very few have…