| While parents and educators of autistic children often | | | | skating or bike riding. You know your child best and |
| realize the benefits of education and routine, quite | | | | what physical activities would be best suited to his/her |
| often the benefits of physical activity and sports are | | | | individual temperament and interests. Exercise also |
| overlooked. Some parents might think that their child is | | | | allows the autistic child who has problems with |
| simply not capable for participating in a sports program. | | | | self-control to have the opportunity to yell and get out |
| Or they might just feel too busy and overwhelmed | | | | any built up energy. |
| with the daily routine of taking care of an autistic child, | | | | Autistic children often have trouble with sensory input. |
| and think the time spent on sport is not as valuable as | | | | Sports naturally help to unite the senses, by provided |
| other programs. However, physical exercise has been | | | | many natural opportunities to run, climb, balance and |
| shown to greatly improve the lives of autistic children | | | | touch. To encourage your child to begin enjoying his |
| and to improve their behaviour as well. | | | | body and exploring his senses a good idea is to create |
| Autistic children, like all children with a disability are more | | | | simple obstacles and sensory items right in your home. |
| prone to avoid sports and thus run the risk of obesity, | | | | Things like crawl-through tunnels, ball pits and |
| high blood pressure and diabetes. Perhaps the | | | | ceiling-mounted swings are relatively inexpensive and |
| greatest risk however, is simply not having the | | | | provide a much-needed release for the autistic child. If |
| opportunity to reap the benefits that regular physical | | | | you are looking to create a "sensory room" for your |
| exercise can provide, such as improved endurance, a | | | | autistic child to enjoy physical exercise right in your |
| chance to develop fine and gross motor skills and a | | | | home, there are many products available for that |
| self-confidence boost. A right exercise program can | | | | purpose. Things like monkey bars, indoor therapy gyms, |
| also introduce the autistic child to a social environment | | | | rock climbing walls or simple gym rings all provide |
| and a chance to interact with his peers. Physical | | | | many opportunities for exercise right at home. The |
| exercise is a proven way to help autistic children (and | | | | physically active autistic child is better focused, more |
| even non-autistic ones) to burn off excess energy and | | | | self-controlled and better able to deal with sensory |
| be able to focus better on their school work or other | | | | stimulation. |
| learning opportunities. | | | | As busy as parents with autistic children are, the |
| Many autistic children might not be able to participate in | | | | importance of regular physical exercise and sports |
| a team sport, due to limited social ability or the fear of | | | | should not be overlooked. Rather, think of it as yet |
| physical contact with others. Individual sports might be | | | | another form of therapy, make it fun and participate |
| more suitable to them. Parents have found their autistic | | | | right along with your child to improve the health of the |
| children to love and excel in swimming, tennis, golf, | | | | whole family! |