All children develop in the same way; they progress from kicking and laughing to walking and talking to running and socializing. Their movements and behaviour must become more complex and advanced as they grow. This physical development plays a significant role in building their independence as individuals.
Children with autism spectrum disorders(ASD), however, may face significant challenges while developing these skills. This can be caused by a developmental disability, motor-planning issues, posture control, low muscle tone/stiffness and other developmental delays. Any of these challenges can make it difficult for these kids to develop more independent and sophisticated movements. That is why it can be beneficial for children with these diagnoses to receive physical therapy.
Physical therapists will help these children to address these issues in a number of ways. Some of the benefits of physical therapy for children with autism include:
Encourage Large-Quality Movements During Therapeutic Play.
Therapeutic play uses movement, self-direction, interaction, etc. To help autistic children overcome impairments, physical therapists can motivate activity with inner drive by using therapeutic play. This has been proven to have a positive impact on emotional functioning, communication, and parent-child relationships.
Support Better Behaviour And Mood.
Children with ASD can display behaviours that can be detrimental to their everyday life. This affects children both physically and mentally. Physical therapy can help these children minimize their movement and gross motor skills struggles. In turn, this will help them maintain a positive emotional state and elevated moods so that they will be motivated to display better behaviours and overcome behaviour challenges.
Increase Confidence in Social Situations.
When children behave appropriately in social interactions, they will have better social experiences. This will boost their confidence for future interactions as they will have a better understanding of expected behaviours. Increased motor functions, such as eye-hand coordination, will also give children with ASD the needed physical skills to keep up with peers on the playground and in school settings to gain the independence they need to build their confidence.
Provide Special Education And Support to Parents.
Physical therapists will also help educate and support parents to help their children when necessary. As with all early interventions, participation in physical therapy must continue outside of formal sessions. When parents can help their children through everyday hurdles, it will strengthen their relationship and help to give them a better understanding of their child.
How Effective Is Physical Therapy For ASD?
Physical therapy will aim to help your child use their body in a healthier way,
but as all children are different, how much it will affect your child will depend significantly on their individual needs. It is vital that you collaborate with your child’s physical therapist t create a personalized plan to meet the goals that you have set for your child.
By doing this and monitoring your child’s progress, it will be possible to see how well your plan is working for your child. It might be necessary to adjust the plan as your child progresses. There are also different types of physical therapy that can be used for children of varying ages and up into adulthood if necessary.
When choosing the appropriate physical therapy program for your child, it is crucial that you consider choosing a physical therapist that has experience n treating individuals with ASD and who is board certified. This will ensure that your physical therapist has the needed knowledge, experience, and skills to help your child.
It is also good to remember that physical therapy will significantly impact children if it is started in their early childhood. The sooner children can incorporate physical education into their daily routine, the more likely they are to have increased functional mobility and physical ability and reach their full potential.
