Autistic Children Benefit from PT
Physical therapy may be an option for children with autism who need help developing age-appropriate motor skills, have low muscle tone, or have problems with physical systems such as breathing control. Older autistic children can also benefit from carefully constructed exercise programs, which may be led by a physical therapist.
Physical therapy can help a child with autism learn a variety of age-appropriate motor skills, from throwing, catching, and kicking a ball to jumping, hopping, and riding a bike. But there are other less playful physical therapies required by autistic children, such as:
- Treating impairments in the systems that impact motor function, such as problems with respiratory control and coordination
- Improving posture
- Addressing misalignments in the musculoskeletal system, such as chest wall deformities, and foot and ankle misalignments
- Developing fitness programs for older children with autism such as a yoga program for autistic children
The earlier you can begin therapy for autism, the better, say experts.
