The Effect of a Picture Activity Schedule on Performance of the MABC–2 for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an assessment protocol utilizing a picture activity schedule on the performance of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition (MABC–2) by children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method: Twenty-five children (ages 3–16 years; 20 boys, 5 girls) performed the MABC–2 under two different protocols (i.e., traditional protocol and picture activity schedule protocol). In the traditional protocol condition, each child received detailed verbal descriptions and demonstrations prior to the motor skill performance. During the picture activity schedule protocol, a picture of each task was presented to the children and the verbal instructions were minimized to emphasize visual supports. MABC–2 percentile scores were analyzed using a within-subjects repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: All children were delayed or at risk for delay in both fine and gross motor skill performance during the administration of the traditional protocol. However, when the picture activity schedule protocol was utilized, children showed a significantly higher MABC–2 percentile score (12.4) compared with that of the traditional protocol (1.1), F(1, 24) = 24.143, p < .001. Conclusions: The findings indicated that the picture activity schedule protocol may elicit better motor skill performance on the MABC–2 by children with ASD. We suggest researchers and practitioners incorporate a picture activity schedule into the MABC–2 assessment protocol when examining the fine and gross motor performance of children with ASD.

Keywords:

• fine motor skills
• gross motor skills
• visual supports
• youth

Acknowledgments

We thank the editor-in-chief, the associate editor, and the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions on the initial draft of the manuscript. We would also like to acknowledge all the children who participated in this study.