The Effect of Adapted Physical Activities Implemented by Mothers having Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on the Mothers' Quality of Life

Introduction: In this research, it was aimed to examine the effects of adapted physical activity (APA) program applied by mothers having children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) on the mothers' quality of life. Method: 24 mothers having children with ASD participated in the research, which was designed in the mixed model (implementation group = 12, control group = 12). The APA program was conducted for 12 weeks with the mothers in the implementation group and their children with ASD. Before the APA program, family training sessions were held for three days in order for mothers to gain the ability to apply the activities in the program. The quantitative data of the study were obtained through the Beach Center Family Quality of Life Scale, and the qualitative data were obtained using a semi-structured interview form. Findings: The findings showed that there was a positive significant difference in the mothers' quality of life before and after the APA program. In the follow-up test obtained three weeks after the research, it was determined that the positive change observed in the mothers' quality of life after the APA program continued. Discussion: As a result, it has been revealed that the APA program applied by mothers has a positive effect on the mothers' quality of life participating in the research.