Autism spectrum disorder is a severe disability that affects a person’s ability to function normally. It’s described chiefly through a lack of social and communication skills, making it hard for the autistic person to interact with other people. Autistic people can’t read social cues such as sarcasm or jokes, facial expressions, and body language. At the same time, they struggle with sensory processing disorders, making going to crowded places difficult. Any outside stimuli can trigger a meltdown, a type of tantrum the autistic child can’t control.
Aside from these difficulties, they are less likely to perform sustained and vigorous physical exercise. Another symptom of autism is engaging in repetitive and obsessive behaviors. This means that video games pose a “danger” for children with autism. If left unattended, the child can get lost in the video game for hours, forgetting to stand up and move. This sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for a developing child, leading to health issues such as obesity and diabetes.
Moreover, 50% of children diagnosed with autism present movement difficulties and poor motor and coordination skills. They have some physical deficit that prevents them from engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, like running with peers or playing in the pool. However, this shouldn’t stop you from trying to instill healthy behaviors in your autistic child. There are many sports, independent or in a team, that your child can engage in and help him develop the necessary skills.
Child health is vital for the little ones to thrive. Autistic people need a little push in the right direction and support to exercise. The key to success is getting your little one to like fitness and sports and making them enjoy them. Here you will find creative solutions to make exercising and learning fun and help them use their bodies in healthy, natural ways. With little effort and the right strategies, your child can stay active regularly.
READ: Essential Oils and Autism.
