Behavioral problems and solutions for children with intellectual disabilities in physical activity settings - A review of the literature

Abstract

The purpose of this synthesis was to review common behavior issues in children with intellectual disability, explore barriers and facilitators of participation in physical activity, and to find intervention strategies so children can participate successfully in physical activity. Of eighteen articles that were reviewed, thirteen articles were used to answer the research questions: one) what are the physical activity levels and motor skills of children with intellectual disabilities? two) what are the most common behavioral issues in children with intellectual disabilities? three) what are the facilitators and barriers to physical activity for children with intellectual disabilities? and four) what are the most effective strategies for managing behavioral issues in physical activity settings for children with intellectual disabilities? Results indicated that children with intellectual disabilities have significantly lower physical activity levels, and face many barriers that can prevent them from participating in physical activity. The barriers for students with intellectual disabilities to physical activities are lack of supervision, sedentary activities, social impairments, physical impairments, and a scarcity of community programs or resources. The strategies that help children with intellectual disabilities participate in physical activity are behavior interventions, family involvement and encouragement, choice of activities, participation in early intervention programs, playground interventions, after school programs.