Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Rock climbing is an activity that incorporates physical, mental, social, and emotional abilities due to the environmental and personal components involved with each climbing challenge. The aspects of this sport support the development of foundational skills essential for independent living and occupational engagement. This research suggests that participation in therapeutic rock climbing is effective in improving motor planning, social engagement, sensory processing, and self-regulation skills for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An educational in-service was implemented to 14 professionals including occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and adults who engage daily with children and teens with ASD. Each participant was provided pre- and post-questionnaires to complete before and after the in-service. The results showed improvements in all areas that were questioned among all participants which included the knowledge of therapeutic rock climbing, knowledge of the developmental skills that are enhanced through the activity of rock climbing, knowledge to provide evidence-based practice (EBP), and knowledge to educate the purpose to clients and families. Significant improvements were made specifically in the knowledge of therapeutic rock climbing in speech pathologists. The study suggests that educational in-services are effective in improving knowledge and skills of professionals working with children and adolescents with ASD. Furthermore, therapeutic rock climbing can improve the abilities of children and adolescents with ASD to motor plan, socially engage with others alike and different, and modulate and process sensory information to self-regulate more appropriately within various environments.

Publication Date

4-18-2022

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