Nature-based interventions for autistic children A systematic review and meta-analysis
Nature-based interventions improve sensory, social, and behavioral outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder
Nature-based interventions have been linked to improved health outcomes for many populations. However, previous research has not systematically examined how children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may benefit from nature-based interventions outside of traditional clinic, home, and school settings. This study synthesized existing evidence in order to address this knowledge gap and support the future development of nature-based interventions that improve the social functioning, behavioral functioning, sensory functioning, and well-being of children diagnosed with ASD.
To summarize existing evidence of nature-based interventions for children with autism, researchers from Hong Kong combined a systematic literature review with a meta-analysis. For the review portion of this study, the authors conducted a comprehensive search of databases to identify quantitative studies that examined health outcomes associated with nature-based interventions with children with ASD. They narrowed down their initial pool of publications to 24 studies that met the team’s screening criteria for relevant outcomes and appropriate study designs. For the meta-analysis portion of the study, the authors combined outcome measures from the 13 studies which allowed them to pool data to calculate effects of nature-based interventions.
The systematic review and meta-analysis linked nature-based interventions to improved behavioral functioning, sensory functioning, social functioning, and subjective well-being for children with ASD. More specifically, the study established helpful associations between nature-based interventions and social communication, reduced hyperactivity, reduced irritability, improved inattention and distractibility, sensory seeking, and sensory sensitivity. The only functional outcomes not associated with nature-based inventions were related to emotional functioning and well-being and language functioning. These findings suggest that nature-based interventions are associated with improved health outcomes for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
This study’s findings offer insights to guide interventions and treatment decisions for children diagnosed with ASD. Namely, the study supports nature-based interventions outside of traditional clinic, home, and school settings as appropriate settings to treat children with autism spectrum disorder. However, the researchers caution that the overall quality of evidence is limited and disproportionately focused on studies of recreational therapy, particularly with horses. More robust study designs guided by explicit theoretical frameworks could help researchers better understand how nature-based interventions improve short-term sensory, social, and behavioral outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Citation
Fan, M. S. N., Li, C. H. W, Ho, L. L. K., (2023). Nature-based interventions for autistic children A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open, 6(12)
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46715 (Reprinted)
