The Effect of Physical Activity on The Response of Autonomic Nervous System in Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorders of Different Age Groups

One hundred participants will be included in this study. One hundred typically developed children or control group and one hundred children with ASD group. The age range of participants will be 4 - 18 years old. The participants in both control and ASD groups will be randomly divided into 4 subgroups according to their age (4-7 years old, 7-10 years old, 10-13 years old and, 14-18 years old). Also, ASD group will be categorized according to the symptoms severity using the childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Participants will be excluded if they have any intellectual disability (IQ ≤ 70), co-morbid medical or psychiatric disorders, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) or Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). They will also be excluded if they are taking any medications which to affect cardiovascular system, respiratory system, or arousal and balance or any other contraindications to exercises. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition24 will be used to assess the Intelligence Quotient (IQ).