Autism is identified as a spectrum disorder, characterized by social and communicative challenges and restrictive or repetitive behaviors. Because this is a spectrum disorder, autism presents very differently from one individual to another. In some cases, these challenges may be more severe and for other individuals these challenges may be more manageable. One commonality that is not included in the autism diagnosis, but effects extremely high rates of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder is gross motor deficiencies. Predictably there are a wide range of therapies and services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. With Applied Behavior Analysis and Speech Language Pathology being two of the most popular interventions. Other therapies, like Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy are often prescribed for individuals who struggle with gross or fine motor movements. But, not all children and teens with autism who struggle with gross/fine motor deficiencies receive services or enough services. This is one important reason for the establishment of autism exercise programs and trainings. Exercise can help to improve motor planning, improve strength, conditioning and coordination. By no means should autism exercise programs replace other more traditional therapeutic options, but they should certainly receive far more attention as a beneficial service or activity to supplement therapy.
Gross motor delays and deficiencies can impact other areas of development as well. Children who struggle with gross motor movements may be less likely to participate in active play. This may also lead to children being less involved in organized sports. Both active play and organized sports are environments where children form friendships and improve social skills. Apart from decreased participation in these more active activities, children who struggle with motor skills may learn to avoid these activities that are particularly challenging later in life. Avoidance of these types of activities only leads to a lack of improvement in motor skills. Gross motor deficiencies may also contribute to lower self-esteem. Autism exercise programs that focus on teaching proper movement mechanics can provide children with the skills to participate in organized sports, active play and other activities that involve movement. Allowing children with autism and other special needs to keep up with their neurotypical peers in terms of physical play and social opportunities.
It is not just children with autism who are impacted by gross motor deficiencies and delays. Teenagers and adults with autism may also struggle in areas outside of physical fitness as a result of gross motor challenges. Similarly to children this can limit social involvement in organized or recreational sports or active leisure opportunities. Autism exercise programs like Adaptive Exercise, can help these individuals build strength and motor skills to be more effective participants in these types of activities. Exercise can also improve self-esteem helping teens and adults with autism feel more confident in their physical abilities.
For adolescents and adults with autism and other special needs, vocational skill building often requires some gross and fine motor skills. So by not addressing movement skills, we are only hindering the opportunities for people with autism and other special needs to find jobs or expand their vocational skills. This is particularly troubling for individuals with more severe disabilities. Many entry level or low wage positions require physical work, so by not addressing gross motor skills development, we are doing a huge disservice to these individuals. Autism exercise programs that focus on functional movement training, such as pushing, pulling, rotating, single leg movements and bending and lifting, can teach these individuals have to move efficiently, effectively and safely.
It is clear that gross and fine motor skills play an important role in social and vocational growth, and that exercise can greatly contribute to the improvement of these skills. But, exercise even plays a role in the academic growth and development of an individual. Exercise has been shown to increase focus or time on task, reduce stereotypic/repetitive behaviors, decrease self injurious and aggressive behaviors and reduces stress. Most people associate exercise with weight loss or to build muscle, but exercise is not just for our physical health, but for our mental health. Autism exercise intervention can benefit children inside the classroom.
Exercise offers a wide range of benefits for people with or without disabilities. But, for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder there are additional benefits. Autism exercise programs, are a fairly recent advancement and are certainly not accessible in all communities. Autism awareness has picked up a lot of momentum in recent years, leading to more services across the county and more funding. However, these improvements do not mean that their still isn’t a massive void of appropriate services for people with autism and other special needs. As the world continues to learn how important exercise is for human health and development, autism exercise programs will continue to pop up. The problem is that at this moment not enough autism families are aware of how beneficial and necessary programs like Adaptive Exercise are.
Adaptive Exercise offers a variety of different exercise services specialized for people with autism and other special needs. Services such as in-home personal training, group exercise classes, virtual online personal training sessions and adaptive exercise videos. All of these services are meant to promote the learning of functional movement skills and development. To empower and benefit the physical and mental health of people with autism. And to provide the most appropriate and safe avenue for autism families to access fitness. Our hope is that more families, schools and therapeutic centers will become aware of the need to move. Exercise is one of the most beneficial skill sets a person can learn. It can make them more independent, healthy, confident and able. We are focusing on many of the same areas that other therapies target, but are addressing them through exercise. Everyone is capable of learning to exercise, this may look very different from one individual to another, but with the appropriate instruction and support anyone can access the wide range of benefits that come with exercise. Adaptive Exercise is here to provide the most appropriate personal training for people with autism and other special needs.