A Case Study: Brain Gym Activities for a Child with Autism

Abstract

Background:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by core deficits in social communication, restricted behaviors, and
frequent challenges with sensory processing and motor coordination. Despite the common use of Brain Gym®, an organized
set of movement-based exercises, as a supplemental therapy to improve cognitive, motor, and behavioral performance, robust
empirical support for its efficacy remains limited.

Objective:
This single-case study aimed to assess the effects of a structured Brain Gym training program on attention, sensory modulation, behavioral engagement, and functional participation in a child diagnosed with ASD.

Methods:
A 6-year-old boy with clinically confirmed ASD participated in a structured Brain Gym intervention over eight weeks, comprising three 30-minute sessions per week. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations utilized the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM), and detailed therapist-based observation diaries.

Results:
The intervention yielded notable improvements, including a significant increase in attention span (+40%) and task engagement (+35%), alongside a substantial reduction in behavioral outbursts (-45%). COPM scores demonstrated clinically significant gains in both performance and satisfaction. Furthermore, parental feedback noted improved responsiveness, smoother transitions between activities, and enhanced eye contact.

Conclusion:
Brain Gym activities appear to have beneficial effects on sensory regulation, attention, and functional participation for the child in this study. While the findings support further controlled trials to establish generalizable efficacy, these results encourage the use of movement-based interventions to address sensorimotor challenges in children with ASD.