Fitness for Children with Autism

For all children, exercise is key in creating a healthy and positive life. This is just as true for children with special needs. Children with autism face different challenges than the average child, but it is important to remember that they are still children who can play, have fun and make friends. While it requires different methods and precautions, exercise for children with autism is highly achievable. You and your family can join in by first consulting with your personal doctor and then do some research on the best exercise for your particular child.

Engaging in regular exercise carries with it many benefits for children with autism. Here are some of the important ones:

1. A healthy lifestyle

Autistic children’s oversensitivity to particular tastes, sound, sights and textures limit their diet and makes physical activities difficult. Research has shown that this is the reason why most kids with autism also suffer from being overweight or obese. Engaging in exercise builds the child’s core muscles which helps balance and coordination while aiding in the maintenance of a healthy weight and overall fitness.

2. Decrease in harmful self-stimulating behaviors

Exercise can help discourage aggressive or self-harming behaviors in autistic children. Behaviors such as head nodding, body rocking, object tapping and hand flapping can all interfere with learning and social activities.

3. Better mental well being

Exercising individually or as part of a team can promote a child’s self esteem and general feeling of happiness. An increase in self confidence helps children to better manage their symptoms and communicate easier. It is never good for a child to spend too much time inactive and alone.

4. Improve social Skills

Engaging in sports can help autistic children interact with people, build strong relationships and understand the concept of teamwork. For those who are unable to participate in team sports, they can learn to recognize similar social cues by building a relationship with their coaches or educators.

5. Improve cognitive ability

Being active helps autistic children improve their cognitive ability, especially short- term memory and attention span. In special needs classrooms, children are encouraged to get up and move around.

6. Improve physical deficits

Most autistic children have physical deficits such as limited endurance or low muscle tone. Improving the child’s fitness can improve these problem areas drastically.

Each child has different preferences and skill sets, therefore, it is alright to slowly try things out at first before deciding on one which is best for your child. Here are a few sports and exercises which have proven successful and therapeutic for autistic children:

1. Swimming
2. Martial Arts
3. Horseback Riding
4. Running/Track & Field
5. Gymnastics
6. Weightlifting
7. Football
8. Simple exercises such as hops, squats, ball throws, star jumps, bear crawls, etc.

Exercise can prove a difficult challenge for children with autism; therefore, support from parents is key to whether or not the child succeeds or enjoys the process. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your child is safe and gets the best out of the experience:

1. Visit your doctor

Make sure your child is healthy enough for the selected activity. It is important to consult the child’s doctor before you plan any exercises. Let the doctor give advice on whether your child is ready to take this step. The doctor can point you towards the appropriate sports and help you tailor the activity according to your child’s needs.

2. Practice

Unlike other children, your child might not have the necessary skills for some sports. Other children might be better at throwing, running or jumping. You can help your child practice with family and friends. Practice not only provides quality time for the both of you, but it can also boost your child’s confidence and skills.

3. Provide encouragement

It is normal for a child to feel inadequate or unsure of certain challenges. Sometimes, they might also be afraid of losing or failing. It is your job as a parent to constantly give encouragement. It is great to make your child feel like he or she is doing something which a “typical” kid would do. Remind your child that sports is less about winning and more about trying your best and having fun.

4. Go slowly

Different children enjoy different physical activities. It is alright to take time and try different things before deciding on an exercise which is best for your child. If your child is not yet ready for a team sport, he or she can still participate in basic exercising drills. Encourage your child to help them believe that it is not too big of a challenge. Find a sport where your child can excel and succeed.

5. Find the right environment

Finding the right environment and community is key to helping your child develop individually and socially. Especially in team sports, it is important that the child is not put in an environment that is malicious or too competitive. Make sure your child feels safe and understood. If the sports requires a coach, it is your job to ensure that the coach understands your child’s condition and the ways it can affect their interaction. Samitivej offers a “Special Children’s Center” in our National Children’s Hospital where your child can engage in exercises in a secure and supportive environment.

References.

1. Raising Children: The Australian Parenting Website – Helping Children Enjoy Sport More. Available from: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/helping_children_enjoy_sport.html. Accessed on April 27, 2015.
2. About Health – Sports and Fitness for Kids with Autism. Available from: http://familyfitness.about.com/od/gettingkidsmoving/a/Autism-and-Fitness.htm. Accessed on April 27, 2015.
3. How To Learn – The Top 5 Reasons to Incorporate Fitness in Special Needs Classroom. Available from: http://www.howtolearn.com/2011/05/the-top-5-reasons-to-incorporate-fitness-in-special-needs-classrooms/. Accessed on April 27, 2015.
4. Autism Speaks – Sports, Exercise and the Benefits of Physical Activity for Individuals with Autism. Available from: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/sports-exercise-and-benefits-physical-activity-individuals-autism.  Accessed on April 27, 2015.
5. University of Rochester: Medical Center – Sports and Children with Special Needs. Available from: http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=160&contentid=20. Accessed on April 27, 2015.

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