Isn’t it amazing to consider that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects about 1 in 68 children? Today, more kids than ever are being diagnosed with ASD. While no one understands why ASD is rapidly on the rise, health professionals are gaining increasing insight into what treatments help ease the symptoms of this disorder.
Many healthcare practitioners and patients agree that physiotherapy is an effective treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Not only is physiotherapy beneficial, it is also a drug-free therapy.
Physiotherapy Offers Many Benefits for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Kids with ASD often experience multiple benefits as a result of working with a physiotherapist. For example, concerning children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, physiotherapy…
- Builds much needed muscle tone
- Helps develop gross and fine motor skills
- Teaches breathing control and coordination
- Improves posture
- Addresses misalignments in the musculoskeletal system, such as chest wall deformities, and foot and ankle misalignments
- Teaches necessary skills for participation in sports and other physical/social activities
Physiotherapists don’t just help children with ASD; they also assist parents in gaining the skills needed to work with a child at home. Experienced physiotherapists can work wonders for families fighting the negative effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Physiotherapists Teach Skills That Improve a Child’s Quality of Life
In a lot of ways, kids with ASD aren’t truly able to be carefree like other children. This is partially because they are constantly dealing with sensory disturbances and other problems that seriously impede their quality of life. The effects of ASD can be a source of incredible frustration to both children and parents.
In particular, children with ASD who have trouble engaging in play-related activities may make triumphant gains through attending physiotherapy sessions and cooperating with their assigned home program. This is because many physiotherapists are equipped to teach kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder how play and enjoy life. Physiotherapist Trish West-Low says, “(Physiotherapists) 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.”
Physiotherapy Alone Is Not Enough to Treat ASD
It’s important for parents of children with ASD to understand that physiotherapy alone is not enough to treat the symptoms of this disorder. Physiotherapy is just one piece of the ASD treatment puzzle. Other health care professionals such as occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists and behavior analysts may be very helpful in treating a child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Although physiotherapy cannot totally alleviate the symptoms of ASD, in most cases it can at least help a child gain valuable skills for living a more active, enjoyable life. If your child has Autism Spectrum Disorder, contact a physiotherapist today to discuss how he or she can use physiotherapy to greatly benefit your loved one.