PERBEDAAN KEMAMPUAN KOGNITIF SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH DI BERIKAN SENAM OTAK(BRAIN GYM) PADA ANAK AUTIS DI PALEMBANG

Background: Children with autism tend to experience delays in cognitive development, resulting in learning and activity difficulties, as well as reduced skills in gross and fine motor skills. Brain gym is a complementary therapy used to improve cognitive abilities in children with autism.
Objective:It is known that there are differences in cognitive abilities before and after brain gym is given to autistic children at SDLB Palembang.
Method: This study used a quantitative cross-sectional design. The population consisted of all autistic children aged 6-10 years, with a total sample size of 35 respondents. A total sampling technique was used, with 30 respondents selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The instrument used was a cognitive ability observation sheet. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Results:The average age of respondents was 10 years with 21 men (70%) and 9 women (30%). The p-value was 0.002 < 0.05, so Ho was rejected, meaning there was a significant difference in the cognitive abilities of the respondents in the pre-test and post-test after being given brain gym.
Conclusion: There is a Difference in Cognitive Abilities Before and After Brain Gym in Autistic Children at Palembang Special Needs Elementary Schools.
Suggestion: Schools can plan brain gym activities into school activities as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve cognitive abilities in autistic children.