Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hatice Önder; Sevim Handan Yılmaz

doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1709670

Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the developmental changes in social skills and peer adjustment of an individual diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) following a parent-assisted reformer Pilates exercise program. The research was conducted using a case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. A personalized reformer Pilates program was implemented for 8 weeks, with sessions held twice a week for a total of 16 sessions. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with the participant’s mother and special education teacher and analyzed using descriptive and content analysis methods. The findings revealed that prior to the exercise program, the individual experienced various difficulties in physical, cognitive and psycho-social domains. After the program, significant improvements were observed in these areas. The individual showed notable progress in attention span, emotional expression, and initiating play. In conclusion, parent-assisted reformer Pilates exercises were found to contribute positively to the social, cognitive, and physical development of the individual with ASD. The findings suggest that such structured physical activity programs can serve as therapeutic and developmental interventions for individuals with ASD and should be more widely adopted.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was ethically approved by Gazi University Ethics Board/Commission with the decision numbered 1193187 dated 11/03/2025.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Training, Physical Training and Sports Pedagogy, Physical Training, Sports and Physical Activity For Disabled

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Hatice Önder
0009-0007-9184-7598
Türkiye

Sevim Handan Yılmaz ^*
0000-0002-1032-5082
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

September 23, 2025

Publication Date

September 26, 2025

Submission Date

May 30, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 30 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1709670

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA77FF98KA

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Önder, H., & Yılmaz, S. H. (2025). Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, 30(3), 114-119. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1709670

AMA

1.Önder H, Yılmaz SH. Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gazi JPESS. 2025;30(3):114-119. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1709670

Chicago

Önder, Hatice, and Sevim Handan Yılmaz. 2025. “Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 30 (3): 114-19. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1709670.

EndNote

Önder H, Yılmaz SH (September 1, 2025) Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 30 3 114–119.

IEEE

[1]H. Önder and S. H. Yılmaz, “Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, Gazi JPESS, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 114–119, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.53434/gbesbd.1709670.

ISNAD

Önder, Hatice - Yılmaz, Sevim Handan. “Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences 30/3 (September 1, 2025): 114-119. https://doi.org/10.53434/gbesbd.1709670.

JAMA

1.Önder H, Yılmaz SH. Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gazi JPESS. 2025;30:114–119.

MLA

Önder, Hatice, and Sevim Handan Yılmaz. “Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder”. Gazi Journal of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, vol. 30, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 114-9, doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1709670.

Vancouver

1.Hatice Önder, Sevim Handan Yılmaz. Examining the Effects of Parent-Assisted Equipment-Based Pilates Exercises on Social Skills and Peer Adaptation in a Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Gazi JPESS. 2025 Sep. 1;30(3):114-9. doi:10.53434/gbesbd.1709670