Middletown

Researchers are evaluating whether an 8-week community-based pickleball program can improve sensory-motor function and reduce core autism symptoms in adults aged 18 to 45 with autism spectrum disorder ASD who can participate independently. The study compares an early-start pickleball group to a delayed-start control group to see if the program leads to better sensory-motor outcomes and reduced autism symptom severity. The intervention involves twice-weekly, 90-minute pickleball classes for 8 weeks 16 sessions total at indoor community court facilities led by trained instructors. Participants are randomized to either start the classes immediately or after a delay period. The program includes warm-ups, skill drills, supervised gameplay, and cooldowns, designed to be beginner-friendly and self-paced. Both groups undergo testing before and after the intervention phases. Participants attend in-person baseline and follow-up visits for surveys and sensory-motor assessments using the HaptiKart computerized task and pickleball skill evaluations. They wear an activity monitor during classes to track physical activity and complete online safety and feedback check-ins. Researchers measure sensory-motor function, autism symptom severity, depression, sleep quality, and quality of life over approximately 18 weeks, with monitoring before, during, and after the intervention periods.