Autism and Exercise: The Benefits of Physical Activity
Autism is a developmental disorder that can cause social, communication, and behavioural challenges. While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments available that can improve symptoms and help people with autism lead more fulfilling lives. One such treatment is exercise.
Research has shown that physical activity can have numerous benefits for people with autism, including improved motor performance and social skills. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of exercise for people with autism in more detail, including what the research says about the benefits of movement for people on the spectrum.
It is widely known that exercise has many benefits for our overall health and well-being. But did you know that there are specific benefits of physical activity for people with autism?
People with autism are more likely to live sedentary lifestyles. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to a host of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Given the already higher incidence of these conditions in the autistic population, it's important to find ways to encourage physical activity.
Improved Social and Communication Skills
One of the most well-known symptoms of autism is social impairment. Exercise can help improve social skills by providing opportunities for social interaction and increasing a person's ability to interact with others. One study found that children with autism who participated in a 12-week structured physical activity program showed significant improvements in social skills and social interaction, communication, cooperation, social interaction, and self-control.
Reduced Anxiety
Anxiety is another common symptom of autism. Exercise has been shown to reduce anxiety in people with autism by promoting relaxation and reducing cortisol levels in the body. In another study, adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who participated in a thirteen-week program of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) experienced a reduction in anxiety and depressive symptoms among adults with ASD, with a sustained effect at a 3-month follow-up.
Reducing Comorbidities such as obesity
Research has shown that the prevalence of obesity in children with autism is higher compared to children without autism. This can be due to decreased activity levels, poorer nutritional intake, use of prescription medication, or other factors. Although motor impairments and physical activity deficits are not central to Autism Spectrum Disorder, research shows that by addressing motor deficiencies and reduced physical activity levels through physical activity, we can affect the core social communication impairments of individuals with ASDs by providing greater opportunities for socialization, better attentional focus, and improved motor performance.
Wrap Up
Autism is a developmental disorder that can cause social, communication, and behavioural challenges. While there is no cure for autism, there are treatments available that can improve symptoms and help people with autism lead more fulfilling lives. One such treatment is exercise.
Research has shown that physical activity can have numerous benefits for people with autism, including improved social and communication skills, reduced anxiety, and reduced comorbidities.
If you or someone you know has autism, consider incorporating physical activity into their treatment plan to reap the many benefits it has to offer!
