Investigation of the effect of interactive art activity program on repetitive behaviors, social skills and parents’ emotions in children with autism spectrum disorder

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an interactive art activity program on repetitive behaviors, social skills and parents’ emotions in children with autism spectrum disorder. Design/methodology/approach The research was carried out in autism classes and special education and rehabilitation centers of children diagnosed with autism in Batman city center between September 2021 and March 2022. The study was concluded with 28 children with Autism spectrum disorder (5–17 years old) and their mothers (13 experiments, 15 controls). Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the ASSP-T Form, the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire-Parent Edition and the Social Impact Form of the Repetitive Behaviors in Children with Autism Scale. In the analysis, in the comparison of the pretest, posttest and retention data in the application group, repeated measures ANOVA was used if the data were suitable for normal distribution, and Friedman analysis was used if not. In the comparison of the data in the control group, the Paired T test was used if the data were suitable for normal distribution, and the Wilcoxon test was used if it was not. Findings After the training, it was concluded that there was a significant difference p < 0.05 on social skills, repetitive behaviors and quality of life of the children and mothers in the experimental group, and there was no significant difference in the control group in general. Research limitations/implications It was determined that the interactive art activity program of children with autism had a positive effect on repetitive behaviors, social skills and parents’ emotions. Originality/value Considering the positive effect of art activities on children’s social skills and repetitive behaviors, educational programs for children with autism can be integrated with art and sports activities, and the use of different areas of art and sports can be expanded, taking into account the interests and readiness of the children.