Background: Physican activitiy (PA) benefits people of all age groups. PA can improve not only physical fitness, but also social skills, behavior as well as psychological well-being in neurotypican populations. Social skills and well-being are essential elements for life. Autistic children face deficits is both these apsects. Since positive effects regarding social skills and well-being have been found in TD population, positive benefits fllowing participation in PA may also be found in children with austism.

Aim: This systematic literature review aimed is to identify how participation in PA affect social skills and well-being in autistic chlidren.

Method: A literature search was performed in five databases to find peer-reviewed studies identifying effects of physical activities on social skills and well-being. Nine studies met the predefined selection ciretria.

Results: Several types of physical activities improved various social skills and decrease challenging and adaptive behaviors in preschool and school aged autistic children. Promising findings were found regarding well-being aspects, relationships with peers and motor skills.

Conclusion: Physical activity can improve social skills, behavioral problems and adaptive behaviors in preschool and school aged autistic children while results on well-being, peer relationships ans motor skills look promising.