Exercise & ASD

Exercise is an important part of life, and more so in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Exercise and physical activity for children with ASD can often be an afterthought while parents and caregivers work on other areas of development.

Aside from the obvious health benefits that come with exercise, some advantages for children with autism include:

• Social Skills - Organized physical activity can provide children with a safe and fun environment to play. This encourages interacting with other children, thus furnishing many opportunities for practicing social skills.

• Motor Skills - Depending on the type of play, physical activity can be an excellent opportunity for children to develop and work on motor skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, swimming, etc.

It's important that whichever activities you choose are considered "autism-friendly." What makes an activity autism-friendly varies by the individual, so it's important to tailor exercise and physical play around the specific child.

Starting out with individual play is a good idea; starting small and working up to team based activities. Some great autism-friendly ideas for individual physical activities include:

• Swimming

• Riding a bicycle

• Dancing

• Hiking/walking

• Jumping on a trampoline

• Pilates/Yoga

• Golf

• Horseback Riding

• Ice skating/roller skating

• Bowling

• Archery

• Fitness video games like Wii Sports or Ring Fit Adventure

Additional participants can be introduced to many of the individual activities listed above, making them a great stepping stone to team based play. As the child becomes more and more comfortable with the specific activity, more and more participants can be added.

Below are a few ideas for autism-friendly team based activities in addition to those listed above:

• Tennis

• Pickleball

• Playing catch

• Martial arts

• Tag/capture the flag

• Soccer

• Hockey

• Basketball

• Badminton

• Tee-ball/softball/baseball/kickball

It's important that these physical activities, whether individual or team based, are led by someone who, at a minimum, has an understanding of autism/ASD and the specific anomalies that go with it.

As a parent or caregiver it's also extremely important to lead by example. You are the role model for the child, and your actions speak louder than words. A positive and fun attitude can promote exercise and physical activity for years to come.

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any physical activity or exercise routine.

Drop us a line at Neurospicy ABA and to see how we can help. Be sure to let us know your favorite way to stay active!