EFFECTS OF FUNCTIONAL TRAINING ON MOTOR COORDINATION, BALANCE, AND COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impairments in communication and social interaction and by restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, which may be associated with motor and cognitive impairments. This study aimed to analyze the effects of functional training on motor coordination, balance, and cognitive functions in children with ASD. This is a narrative, exploratory, and descriptive literature review conducted using the SciELO, MEDLINE/PubMed, and CAPES Journal Portal databases, considering publications from 2020 to 2026. Ten articles that met the established inclusion criteria were selected. The analyzed studies demonstrated that interventions based on functional training, physical activity, and motor training may promote improvements in motor coordination, balance, gross motor skills, strength, and functional performance. Regarding cognitive aspects, potential benefits were identified in inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and attention, although the findings were less consistent. The heterogeneity of intervention protocols, samples, and assessment instruments, as well as the limited number of studies, restricts the generalizability of the findings. It is concluded that functional training and structured physical exercise interventions have the potential to improve motor development and certain cognitive aspects in children with ASD. However, further studies with larger samples, standardized protocols, and long-term follow-up are needed.