I have been working with people with autism in different autism therapy settings for over a decade. I’ve seen children come into programs at a young age, learn skills to help them become more independent and successful adults. While every student I’ve worked with was unique, I’ve observed commonalities in the areas of leisure skills and interests. A large percentage of students will tell me their hobbies are watching videos on YouTube, playing video games, watching TV or playing on the computer. While these interests may seem harmless, they can attribute to children living sedentary lives and requiring more supports in the future.
These tendencies towards more sedentary activities are understandable. Children in general are spending more time on screens than ever before in history, this is just magnified within the autism population. While there have been steps taken, there are by no means as many sports teams, clubs or camps for children with special needs. And of the options that are available, they may not be appropriate for children across the spectrum. This often leaves the children who need the most support with the fewest options. Instead of filling these children’s week with sports games, exercise and outings, they are more likely to be going to more autism therapy sessions.
Most of us know that exercise is important, but few people truly understand why? Many will say we exercise to lose weight or to build muscle, but the need to exercise expands well beyond this. Humans have not evolved to be sedentary beings. In fact, living a sedentary lifestyle can shorten your lifespan (1) and cause your body to function at sub optimal levels. This need for exercise is exemplified within the autism population. Children with autism are less active than their typically-developing peers (2). Averaging 50 minutes less per day of moderate physical activity and 70 more minutes of sitting a day (2). It is recognized that many people with autism need additional support throughout their educational career, but for whatever reason these supports rarely extend to physical education, autism therapy, and fitness. Leaving an entire population of people more susceptible to obesity, adverse health outcomes, movement deficiencies, postural faults and lower cognitive functioning.
Still not convinced that exercise needs to be mainstreamed as a form of autism therapy? Gross motor delays and deficiencies are commonly associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Exercise has been shown to benefit gross motor skills. Sure, many people with autism receive other autism therapy services like occupational or physical therapy, but personal trainers are left out of the solution. Perhaps if there were more personal trainers specialized in working with people with special needs this would be different. Regardless, exercise can be a huge factor in improving the motor skills of a large population of people who are simply not need it.
Children have access to more sedentary leisure options than ever before between iPads, computers, television, and video games. Too often these devices become the primary hobbies of children with autism. Children who live sedentary lives are far more likely to become sedentary adults. It is time that many fields of autism therapy account for this epidemic. What can parents do to break this sedentary cycle? Put limitations on the amount of screen time. There are a number of different applications out there that can track and limit the amount of time being spent across devices. Schedule time to be active with your child. This can be as simple as going for walks, playing catch or riding bikes together. This is not only a great way to get your child moving, but by you participating, it provides a great model of living an active lifestyle. Expose your child to different sports and outside activities. If your child does not know how to play, it is unfair to expect them to engage in outdoor play. By exposing children to a number of different activities, it increases the likelihood of them finding an activity they find fun and reinforcing.
- Limit screen time
Screens have become such a big part of all of our lives. But, it is important to remember that they don’t control you! Turn off the TV, tell your child to put away their phone and create time for them to learn to be active. - Be active with your child
Scheduling or planning activities that are physically active for your family should be an enjoyably experience. It doesn’t have to be vigorous exercise, just some activity you and your child can do together. - Exposure
Expose your child to a variety of different physically active play activities. This can help build motor planning skills and increase the chances of your child finding an activity they find reinforcing.
These three simple strategies are a great starting point to get your child with autism more active and break the sedentary cycle. They may seem like difficult tasks at first, but it is important to understand that instilling these active habits in childhood can benefit them into adolescence and adulthood.
While intervention earlier in life is ideal, there are many adolescents and adults who are already stuck in this cycle of a sedentary lifestyle. It’s not too late! While it may be a greater challenge to begin an exercise program, our specialized approach to training makes it more manageable. There is not as much data on the rates of sedentary adults with autism and other special needs. Just from my own personal experience, I know in many adult programs, there is a lot more sitting than time spent being active. I would be surprised if many adults with special needs in these programs are meeting the CDCs minimum exercise guideline for exercise. No matter what a person’s ability or diagnosis these guidelines remain unchanged. We all need to exercise to be physically and mentally healthy.
- Dominique Gummelt, P. (2019). Proof that the Human Body was Made to Move. [online] Acefitness.org. Available at: https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/professional/expert-articles/5282/proof-that-the-human-body-was-made-to-move [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019].
- ScienceDaily. (2019). Children with autism more sedentary than their peers, study shows. [online] Available at: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140926141014.htm [Accessed 26 Mar. 2019].