Autism Exercise Programs

Exercise is an integral part of your healthy lifestyle. If your child is diagnosed with autism, getting enough movement can be tough. Sensitivities to environmental stimuli, difficulties with coordination or body awareness and lack of social skills can interfere with his daily exercise regimen. However, if you can create an appropriate program for your child, regular exercise can mitigate some of his challenges while ensuring his general wellness.

Significance

Decreased physical activity is a reality for many children with autism spectrum disorders. If your child has challenges with motor skills, balance, spatial awareness or self-management, she may not motivate herself to get enough exercise. Team sports or gym situations are likely unmanageable if she has difficulty with social situations and sensory overload. In addition to getting less exercise, she may have a limited diet or may take medication that causes fatigue and increases her appetite. According to Autism Speaks, “more than half of all children with ASD are either overweight or at risk."

Types of Programs

Not all schools can accommodate your child’s unique fitness needs, so he may need extracurricular activities. Individual sports like running or swimming provide a workout while mimicking the repetitive motions he might find soothing. Martial arts and yoga are two ways to incorporate movement with meditation and relaxation techniques that will increase his self-awareness, balance, agility and strength. Football, soccer, bowling and other activities can be adapted to meet your child’s special needs.

Benefits

Regular exercise helps your child on the autism spectrum to maintain a healthy weight and to avoid the pitfalls of a sedentary lifestyle. Leanne Ferguson describes some additional benefits in her paper, "The Effects of an Adapted Physical Activity Program on Motor Performance and Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Intense physical activity can reduce behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking and spinning. Inclusion in adaptive sports programs enables your child to develop social skills. You will likely see improvements in her general motor skills, strength and endurance as well.

Features

A successful exercise program for your autistic child will have a predictable structure. Moderate to vigorous workouts that utilize his large motor muscles will benefit him the most. Autistic author Thomas McKean found that wearing pressure bracelets helped him to manage his tactile and spatial challenges. Likewise, you can incorporate similar props or sensory integration strategies into your child’s regimen. He might require step-by-step instructions, demonstrations or physical assistance in order to learn a new activity.