Meningkatkan Memori Jangka Pendek pada Anak Autis dengan Senam Otak

Abstract

Problems were found in the low short-term memory abilities of autistic children. Brain gym consisting of simple movements can activate and balance all dimensions of the brain, thus stimulating short-term memory. The research aims to determine the effect of brain gym on short-term memory skills in children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants were 16 children that were divided into two groups (experiment and control) with mild autistic severity, aged 7-12 years, had low short-term memory skills and had never received brain exercise intervention before. The research method is quasi-experimental design, with two groups, namely the experimental group that was given treatment and the control group that was not given treatment. This study used a brain gym module, and short-term memory measurement with the WISC-R Digit Span. This study consisted of a pre-test, a brain gym treatment carried out by a certified therapist for 10 sessions within 3 weeks and the last was a post-test. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Test nonparametric data analysis technique. The results of the analysis showed that there was a difference with a score of Z = -2.585 (Asymp. Sign. 0.010 <0.05) in the short-term memory abilities of autistic children who were included in the experiment group. Which means that giving brain gym was effective to improve short-term memory skills in autistic children. Whereas in the control group who were not treated, short-term memory abilities did not change (steady).