Top 5 Exercises For Kids With Autism

Autism for kids may result in complications in understanding the world around them. Kids diagnosed with autism may show repetitive behavior, communication difficulties, and  narrow interests. Thus, they should be diagnosed early to receive help and support as soon as possible.

Why is Exercise Needed For Kids With Autism?

Exercise has a lot of benefits. For example, a person may exercise to lose or gain weight, reduce illness or diseases, relax, improve sleeping quality, or even promote a better sex life. Overall, exercise leads to favorable effects, and it even helps children diagnosed with autism. One of the best ways to assist autistic children in developing and thriving is through exercise. Exercise is advantageous for children with autism because it lessens aggression, hyperactivity, and stereotypical behaviors. Exercise for children with autism will not only improve their overall health but would help them engage more in their environment. When guiding children with autism, it is crucial to do it in an peaceful and supportive environment.

Top 5 Exercises For Kids With Autism

1.   Arm circles

Arm circles are a good exercise proven by experts in ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). This exercise may lessen repetitive behaviors such as clapping or arm flapping. It is also a spectacular upper-body exercise that boosts flexibility and power of the back and shoulders. This is also very easy since you can execute it anywhere, even with no equipment. How to do it:

1.   First, position yourself standing with your feet apart and your arms extended while parallel to the floor.
2.   Next, move your arms in a small circular manner and a forward direction. Afterwards, moderately increase the size of the circle until you sense a stretch in your triceps.
3.     Finally, inverse the direction of your circles moving backwards for at least 10 seconds. Repeat the activity as how many times as you like.

2.   Bear Crawls

Bear crawls are good for a whole-body workout and are usually seen in high-intensity workout programs. When you execute bear crawls, almost every part or muscle of your body is utilized. In addition, bear crawls aid the development of coordination, motor planning, and body awareness, which are major considerations for treating a child diagnosed with autism. Thus, you can develop holistic body strength and endurance if you regularly do bear crawls. How to do it:

1.   Your first stance should start in a push-up position and put your hands extended below your shoulders.
2.   Your feet should be a hip distance apart, and your heels should be off the floor.
3.     Simultaneously move your hands and feet from left to the right in a crawling motion. While imitating a crawling motion, your knees should never touch the floor.
4.   You should keep your body relatively low while doing the bear crawl and alternately move forward with your right hand and left leg and your left hand and right leg.
5.   Continue to move forward until you have reached your desired distance or number of repetitions.

3. Medicine ball slams

 Medicine ball slam is an exercise that can improve your body coordination, balance, and core strength. Like the bear crawl, medicine balls slams are also considered full-body workouts. This exercise targets your hips, lats, shoulders, and core. Although this exercise is taxing on your cardiovascular system and muscles, it has proven therapeutic benefits that help stimulate brain centers that involve short-term memory processes. Thus, for children diagnosed with autism, medicine ball slams could help boost their brain and facilitate brain development. How to do it:

1.   You should be in a standing position while holding a medicine ball with both hands.
2.   Next, the ball should be raised over your head while keeping your arms straight.
3.     Then, using your maximum force possible, slam the ball onto the ground using your maximum force possible.
4.   Afterwards, pick up the ball with your knees bent and continue the process at least 20 times.
5.   Finally, you can increase the complexity of the difficulty of the exercise  by increasing the weight of the ball or by slamming the ball onto a target.

4. Mirror Exercises

 A simple activity for children with autism or developmental difficulty is mirror exercises. This type of exercise involves mimicking  someone’s movements, like facing a mirror. Moreover, these exercise benefits children diagnosed with autism since it helps them develop their gross motor skills and physical coordination. Through mirror exercises, a child can engage and develop relationships while enjoying the experience of leading or following others. Thus, it boosts the child’s awareness, coordination, and social skills. How to do it:

1.   Look for a partner and stand in front of them with your hands by the side.
2.   First, try to begin with slow movements using your arms. Next, try to create circles and advance to more complicated patterns with your arms.
3.     If you’re the one following the lead, try to mimic your partner’s movement as if you are looking at yourself in a mirror. If they raise their left arm, you should raise your right arm to form a mirror effect.
4.   To add more sensory feedback, gently try to touch your partner’s hands as if you are touching the mirror.
5.   Repeat this routine for 1-2 minutes and use other body parts such as your legs, head, and shoulders.

5. Star Jumps

 Star jump is a full-body exercise that activates muscle groups such as your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, and core. Moreover, the star jump is a good home workout routine since it is a versatile bodyweight activity, and it improves your cardiovascular endurance. It is easy to perform and is highly recommended for children diagnosed with autism. How to do it?

1.   First, start with a squatting stance while bending your knees. Next, your feet should be flat on the floor, and you should fold your arms toward the chest.
2.   Then, from a squatting position, quickly jump while extending both of your arms and legs that would appear like an X.
3.     Finally, upon landing, you should go back to your starting position. Continue this routine for at least 20 repetitions or until you feel fatigued.

Continue teaching these five practical exercises to kids diagnosed with autism, and you will see its benefits. A lot of children have movement impairments. Exercise can be positive reinforcement, facilitate good behavior and overall quality of health, and improve kids’ coping and social skills. Also, do not forget to seek professional advice and check out autism clinical trials.