Autism is a disorder that affects the normal development of communication and social skills. It usually appears in the first three years of life and it is unknown what causes the abnormalities present in the child's brain. Children with autism have problems that include trouble playing pretend games, reduced social interaction, inability to make eye contact, and verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties. Many different exercises are used to help autistic kids acclimate and make more sense of their world.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a therapy that utilizes horse riding exercise to help autistic children in a variety of different areas including communication, concentration, self-control, self-confidence and socialization. A therapist helps the patient mount the horse and ride in different positions. A horse has a multidimensional rhythmic movement that is similar to a human's natural gait. Therapists typically help the kids ride sideways, backwards, standing in the stirrups or lying down.
Swimming
For some autistic kids, spending time in the pool is a calming and fun way to get much needed exercise. The weightlessness of the water is soothing and the gentle resistance of the water provides a quality muscular workout. Supervise autistic children in a pool closely at all times.
Track and Field
The basics movements of throwing and running in many track and field events will appeal to many kids with autism. Autistic children don't normally do very well with team sports, so an event like track and field will enable him to stay active and remain comfortable in what he is doing.
Autism Fitness
Autism Fitness is a program that is the brainchild of Eric Chessen, MS, YCS. He devised a system that focuses solely on autism and fitness, and found ways for autistic people to stay active. The program centers around pulling, pushing, rotation, locomotion and squatting. Participants use balls, rubber bands and small hurdles to work their muscles from a variety of different angles under supervision.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Autism
- Aspen Education Group: Equine Therapy for Autistic and Asperger's Syndrome Kids
- The Autism News: For Some Autistic Children, Swimming Provides an Outlet
- Education World: Sports Offer Autistic Kids Physical, Social Benefits
- AutismFitness.com: Official Website
