More than 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism every year. Recent advances in awareness and scientific understanding mean children with autism are more easily identified by professionals.
Parents and caregivers of these children face a set of unique challenges. among these is keeping children active. Many autistic children don’t enjoy the same kinds of physical activities as other children.
Looking for ways to keep an autistic child active? You’ve come to the right place. Read on for some health and wellness tips.
Encourage Walking
Taking walks may be a basic form of exercise, but it’s still an effective way to keep healthy. Just a few minutes of walking each day can lower the risk of a whole host of health problems.
Some children with autism particularly enjoy walking. They might enjoy the chance to see new things and burn off lots of energy. Or they might spot things along the route that are particularly interesting to them, like stores or vehicles.
It’s important to think about your chosen location for a walk. Some children may struggle where there are lots of loud noises, in which case a rural or suburban area might be better. Other children could be inspired to do plenty of walking in an interesting area, so a museum or zoo could be the place for them to stretch their legs.
Remember, there’s no need to designate a walk as a time for exercise. Walking can simply be a way of getting to a favorite store or park. Park the car a little further from your destination and enjoy a stroll.
Try Mirror Exercises
Many children with autism like to copy the actions of others. This trait can be used to good effect with mirror exercises!
An autistic child could partner up with a parent, caregiver, or sibling. Their exercise partner will then perform some basic exercises, like jumping jacks or running on the spot. The child can follow along and enjoy the fun of copying.
You can be as creative as you like with mirror exercises. Make sure both parties enjoy the fun. Try out a range of different exercises to see which ones work best.
Also, you could try literal mirror exercises! Many children enjoy watching their reflections as they work out. Consider encouraging your child to touch their toes, jump up high, and all kinds of other exercises while standing in front of a big mirror.
Use Special Interests
Many people with autism and other special needs may have special interests. These passions or hobbies could be anything a person finds interesting, ranging from animals to astronomy, sailing to stamp collecting. They’re normally characterized by a greater degree of depth and intensity than most interests.
Making use of special interests is a great way to encourage exercise in children with autism. Use your imagination and structure activities around these interests so your child feels naturally engaged.
If the child loves plants, you could go on a hike to discover different specimens. If your child loves trains, you could take them to a railway-themed adventure playground and let them run riot.
Work with your child to find something that works. Suggest different activities centered around your child’s special interest and choose the ones that get the best reaction.
Join a Group
Keeping a child with autism active can seem like a daunting task. But working with others can help those looking for support living with autism.
There are lots of parent and child groups specifically designed for children with autism. These may offer fun and active sessions for those with special needs. These adjustments could include a quieter room or a less structured session.
Some of these sessions are even run by qualified professionals. Take a look at community centers and charities in your area to find out about upcoming group sessions. Even some local libraries may offer suitable group sessions.
Some children might find the presence of others very difficult. But it can help if people they trust, like friends from kindergarten or playgroup, already attend the group.
Take the Right Attitude
Like many other basic daily tasks, exercising can be especially difficult for children with autism. If they dislike certain types of movement or environments, they may find any kind of strenuous activity a real challenge.
That’s why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to take the right attitude. Children shouldn’t be forced into doing activities if they don’t want to. It’s better to work with the child to find something that works for everyone.
It’s also important to stay positive during and after any active activities you choose to do. Be sure to give plenty of praise and encouragement. Be present and make sure your child feels well supported by you.
Make Life With Autism Easier With Therapy
If you stay creative and take the child’s needs into account, there are lots of ways you can keep an autistic child active. Be sure to try out lots of different things and make the whole process fun. But remember, every child is different, so the same things won’t work for everyone.
ABA therapy is a great way to help children with autism lead fuller, healthier lives. Enrolling a child in therapy can help them to develop in many areas where they might previously have struggled, including staying active.
Looking for quality therapy? Path 2 Potential can help. We have years of experience in helping children from all kinds of backgrounds.
Enroll your child today and you’ll soon see the benefits of the therapy we offer.