The Effects of Physical Therapy on Balance and Motor Coordination in Childrenwith Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Study

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently present deficits in balance and coordination. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a physical therapy program on balance and motor coordination in children with ASD. Method: Four children (7–11 years old) participated in a personalized program for 12 weeks. The evaluation was performed with the Berg Scale, the Romberg Test and the Pull Test. The Wilcoxon test (pre- post) and the Pearson correlation (post) were applied. Results: Berg scores increased by an average of 18%. The Romberg Test and Pull Test indicated qualitative improvements. The differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.125), but a moderate correlation was identified between the final scores (r ≈ 0.45). Conclusion: The physical therapy program led to clinically relevant functional progress, supporting the value of personalized motor interventions in ASD.