Start Date
16-6-2025 3:30 PM
End Date
16-6-2025 5:00 PM
Abstract
Ever since the first description of Infantile Autism by Leo Kanner in 1943, the relevance of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has multiplied manifold (Raina et al., 2015). Recently the CDC has concluded that the prevalence rate for 2023 across 8 year olds in the US was 1 in 36, 3.8 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Research also points out that the often felt difficulty in ability to perform gross and fine motor skills discourages an individual from participating in peer sport and this is likely to cause aggregation of social and communicational difficulties (Alexander and Leather, 2013).
Golf is a good fit for people on the autism spectrum, it offers an activity which is largely repetitive, in an environment which is calm, where one can be at one with nature, greatly benefiting from the outdoors. It is important to ensure all young people get to experience positive health enhancing physical activity and reap the health and well-being, and social benefits available from same. This paper has particular relevance to Goals 3 and 10 of the the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
This workshop will involve 40 minutes of a presentation on the efficacy of golf as therapeutic recreation, to include the strong evidence, demonstrating the transformative impact being part of a golf programme can have on participants and their families
It will also involve a 40 minute clinic with a small group of autistic children, demonstrating how to introduce the various skills, whereby delegates can either observe or get involved as mentors.
Recommended Citation
Randles, Edel; Whitehead, Adrian; and Keane, Mike, "Golf a Game Changer as Therapeutic Recreation for ASD" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 32.
https://sword.cit.ie/isapa/2025/day1/32
Golf a Game Changer as Therapeutic Recreation for ASD
Ever since the first description of Infantile Autism by Leo Kanner in 1943, the relevance of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has multiplied manifold (Raina et al., 2015). Recently the CDC has concluded that the prevalence rate for 2023 across 8 year olds in the US was 1 in 36, 3.8 times more prevalent in boys than girls. Research also points out that the often felt difficulty in ability to perform gross and fine motor skills discourages an individual from participating in peer sport and this is likely to cause aggregation of social and communicational difficulties (Alexander and Leather, 2013).
Golf is a good fit for people on the autism spectrum, it offers an activity which is largely repetitive, in an environment which is calm, where one can be at one with nature, greatly benefiting from the outdoors. It is important to ensure all young people get to experience positive health enhancing physical activity and reap the health and well-being, and social benefits available from same. This paper has particular relevance to Goals 3 and 10 of the the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
This workshop will involve 40 minutes of a presentation on the efficacy of golf as therapeutic recreation, to include the strong evidence, demonstrating the transformative impact being part of a golf programme can have on participants and their families
It will also involve a 40 minute clinic with a small group of autistic children, demonstrating how to introduce the various skills, whereby delegates can either observe or get involved as mentors.
