Percepções dos responsáveis sobre as barreiras e os facilitadores da prática de atividades físicas em pessoas com relato de transtorno do espectro autista

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental deficit characterized by difficulties in communication and social interaction, as well as restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity, these individuals tend to be less active than people without ASD. Therefore, the present study aimed to understand the perceptions of those responsible for people with a report of ASD about the practice of physical activities by these individuals. Thirteen guardians (11 mothers and 2 grandmothers; 46±9 years) for 15 people with a report of ASD (12 men and 3 women), aged between 3 and 23 years, participated in this study. The volunteers lived in the states of Minas Gerais (n=9), Paraná (n=5) and Paraíba (n=1). As a research technique, a semi-structured online and individual interview was used. They were always carried out by the same researcher, with the entire dialogue being recorded and later transcribed in full. For data analysis, the Content Analysis technique was used. All people with ASD analyzed had experience with physical activities, but at the time of the interviews, due to the social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, 13 of the 15 people were not practicing regularly. The encouragement and help from the family (n=9), the availability and access to programs, and the physical (n=7) and cognitive (n=7) benefits of the practice were the main factors identified as facilitators of the practice of activities by people with ASD. On the other hand, the main barriers identified were the unavailability and difficult access to physical activity programs (n=12), behaviors associated with ASD (n=10) and the unavailability of professionals trained to work with people with ASD (n=12). =4). Most guardians (n=9) do not consider Physical Education professionals to be prepared to work with this population. This research demonstrates the importance of effective political and community actions aimed at expanding the access opportunities of people with ASD to physical activity programs, especially free ones. Furthermore, these programs need to be equipped with qualified human resources to work with this audience.