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PURPOSE: Prior studies suggest that a combination of physical activity and mind-body exercises, often seen in martial arts, may attenuate negative behaviors in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week judo program on behavioral factors in children with ASD, using a mixed-methods approach.

METHODS: A total of 25 children (ages 8-17), diagnosed with ASD, participated in an 8-week judo program (1x week). Parents of participants were given the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) to compare the severity of ASD-related behavior at baseline and at the end of the program. A subset of parents (n= 9) participated in semi-structured interviews that focused on their child’s behaviors during the judo program. Non-parametric paired t-tests were conducted to compare differences in ABC subscales (irritability, hyperactivity, stereotypic behaviors …