Physical Therapy for Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that impacts the way a person interacts with their world. Children with autism are often delayed in their gross motor development and have difficulty with motor planning, balance, and coordination. However, many preschoolers with autism are able to run, jump, and climb on play structures, which can sometimes cause their gross motor deficits to be overlooked. Children with autism often enjoy activities involving movement, but struggle with the nuances of those activities such as controlled starting and stopping, grading force and pressure, and maintaining balance while navigating around obstacles.

Children with autism often play by themselves, and are less likely to engage in reciprocal play (such as throwing and catching a ball) with their peers. Decreased opportunities for practice, along with challenges in motor planning and coordination, can further increase the gap in motor skills between children with autism and their peers as they grow. This can make it even harder for them to participate with their peers on the playground, in PE class, on sports teams, and around their neighborhood with other children. 

Pediatric physical therapists can help children with autism by training up the tools and play skills they need to participate with their peers and engage with their community. PTs can work on skills such as balance control, coordination, motor planning, and can also help connect families with local adaptive opportunities. Finding an exercise or fitness activity that your child enjoys and thrives in can be so important for promoting health, wellbeing, and inclusion with others throughout their lifetime. 

If your child is having difficulty with balance, coordination, and participating in activities with their peers, we would love to see what we can do to help!