Physical Therapy For Autism

The Role Of Physical Therapy For Autism

Children with autism and other neurodevelopmental delays face several challenges in everyday life. They need the required support and treatment options to develop their deficits and lost motor skills. Physical therapy for autism are exercises that are done through the process of play. These strategies are designed to enhance strength, balance, muscle coordination, stamina, mobility, and confidence.

Physical exercises get the muscles, joints, and reflexes working in an organized way to create smooth motor movements. Post therapy, children with autism feel comfortable sitting on a chair, maintaining a good posture, walking without losing balance and also climbing stairs.

Physical Therapy Requirements For Autism

General communication necessitates the use of motor skills. Speech or cognitive issues might be a symptom of a greater problem with physical development.

Low muscle tone and clumsiness are common in persons with autism, although these characteristics may be linked to repetitive motor motions and oral-motor disorders, such as tongue and jaw abnormalities that make it difficult to talk. When these issues are combined, general communication and socializing might suffer.

Behavioral techniques, such as applied behavior analysis therapy, are often used in autism treatment. However, these possible physical development concerns may need a different strategy.

While differences in physicality are not one of the core diagnostic criteria for autism the core components, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are social, communication, and cognitive struggles differences in gross motor skills, such as walking, and fine motor skills, such as using a pen or pencil, may all show up in people with autism at various levels of severity.

There were noticeable variations in the following physical areas, according to a 2012 paper:

• Dyspraxia is a medical term indicating overall clumsiness, which is often linked to developmental problems such as autism. Fine motor capabilities and movement quality are typically worse in children on the autism spectrum, according to many small investigations, but no bigger research have been undertaken to assess the range or reason.

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1. Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders

In this chapter, we will review the changes in diagnostic criteria to understand the different terms that are currently being used. We will discuss motor performance challenges related to the diagnosis criteria and historical descriptions of the condition including movement differences. It is important to establish common terminology and basic knowledge of the condition in order to be an effective partner on the inter-professional team serving these children.

2. Motor Skills Development in Autism

In this chapter, we will summarize current knowledge on motor performance in autism. We will look at prevalence of motor delays and development of foundational motor skills across the diagnosis. We will review motor control findings related to gait, balance, postural control, reach and release, and pointing. Motor difficulties in children with autism are often overlooked, however, significant difficulties in this area have the potential to impact other developmental processes and should be systematically addressed.

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3. Assessment Following the ICF Model

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4. Lets play together!

In this chapter, we will learn how to use evidence-based strategies to positively interact with children with autism and their family and help them achieve their goals. We will explore physical therapy interventions through case examples.

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Physiotherapy Treatments For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The developmental delays could possibly affect the childrens gross and fine motor skills. The goals of physiotherapy to gather information from parents, clinical physicians and other multi-disciplinary team members. The role of the physiotherapist is to take care of autistic children with motor impairments in the body (for instance issues with respiratory control and coordination level, improvement in posture, and addressing misalignment in the musculoskeletal system including chest wall deformities as well as foot and ankle misalignment issues.

Normally, the assessments and treatments can take place in various settings Physiotherapists are also involve with rehabilitation after injuries where a child maybe injured from a fractured leg and required rehabilitation treatments. However, the physiotherapists must take the diagnosis of autism into consideration when designing treatments sessions. This is due to the fact that many of the physiotherapy sessions are very structured in nature. Teaching them to be comfortable and competent in their bodies is an essential part of the treatment.

Improve Their Sensory Processing

One of the most important benefits of physical therapy for children is that it can help improve sensory processing. Many children with autism have difficulty processing certain sensory stimulation outputs, such as loud noises or bright lights.

Physical therapy can help these children by providing them with a calming and non-threatening environment in which they can slowly become accustomed to the distinct sensations.

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Who Can Benefit From Physical Therapy

Our licensed DPTs and PTAs have experience working with a variety of diagnoses and conditions and participate in ongoing training on the most up-to-date and innovative approaches. Hopebridges physical therapy specialists assist children with:

• Sensory-processing difficulties that produce physical effects
• Poor coordination or balance
• High or low muscle tone
• Gait challenges, such as toe walking
• Issues with postural tasks, such as sitting, running or jumping
• Delayed or atypical motor milestones
• Increased motor stereotypes
• Functional movement

How Often Should A Physical Therapy Treatment Occur For A Child With Asd

If your child receives services through the education system, the frequency of therapy sessions will be determined by the Individual Family Service Plan or Individualized Education Program team based on your childs needs. The same team will also establish the length of sessions and the goals of treatment. As a parent, you will have a say in any decisions regarding different aspects of your childs physical therapy.

In a clinic setting, the treatment details are determined by the referring physician, parent or caretaker, and therapist. The number of hours of therapy provided by your childs health insurance can also affect the frequency of sessions.

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Autism Therapies And Solutions

Want to know a secret? Not all practices are created equal. When discussing physical therapy, it is important to consider that it is a large field and there will be differences in approaches, practitioners, and outcomes. As opposed to fitness trainers, physical therapists must be board licensed and complete a residency.

From a general perspective, physical therapy focuses on enhancing motor patterns and skills that relate to gait, play, chores, and situational daily movement. Depending on the practice, the therapists, and the environment, physical therapy may also incorporate specific interventions or training for balance, coordination, and motor planning. For example, some facilities will be equipped with balance beams, sensory tools, and bicycles/tricycles with augmented stability devices.

In school-based environments, a physical therapist will work within a students IEP . A physical therapist may work on skills that promote enhanced or improved functioning in the educational environment. Postural control while standing or sitting, navigating stairs, and carrying objects may be part of the program for a student who presents with low tone, gait abnormalities , and motor planning delays.

A Bridge To Confidence With Physical Therapy

Children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays sometimes have challenges moving through their spaces successfully on a daily basis. These kids often need extra support to develop gross motor skills. At Hopebridge, we do this through the process of play. Our physical therapy environment and exercises are designed to build strength, mobility, balance, coordination, endurance and most of all, confidence.

Physical therapy involves getting the brain, bones and muscles working together to create smooth movements. Children are encouraged to have fun while working to accomplish tasks necessary to attend school and other outings throughout life. Goals can be anything from sitting on a chair or walking long distances, to climbing stairs or using a playground.

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How Can A Physical Therapist Help An Autistic Child

A physical therapist is a trained medical professional who diagnoses and treats patients with conditions that affect their movement and prevent them from performing everyday activities.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams of speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists, physical therapists help develop, maintain, and restore optimal physical functioning in children and adults with autism.

The therapist will start by evaluating your childs motor functional performance and delays. Based on this assessment, the therapist will develop goals that will allow your child to participate as fully as possible in daily routines at home and in school. There is no standard treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder and your physical therapists will personalize a program to meet the strengths and needs of your child.

In addition to teaching new motor skills and improving the existing ones, a physical therapist will work with your child on acquiring the movement patterns necessary for taking part in activities with peers. Treatment strategies will be gradually adjusted as your child learns new skills and starts functioning more independently.

Physical therapists may also offer other types of therapies suitable for children with autism spectrum disorder, such as hippotherapy, dance and movement therapy, music therapy, recreational therapy, and even play therapy.

Why Is Physical Activity Important For Children With Asd

Physical therapy increases a childs ability to participate in physical activities by improving strength and coordination. Once a child is able to functionally participate in physical activities, they are able to reap the many benefits of daily exercise.

• Social skills. Gym class, playgrounds, and organized sports teams offer opportunities for children to develop friendships and social skills. For children with ASD, physical activity programs provide a fun, safe environment to develop and practice social interaction skills.

• Improvement in behaviors. Physical activity may help decrease maladaptive behaviors and aggression. Children with ASD have difficulty expressing and understanding their feelings. Physical activity can aid in reducing stress and frustration in children, often helping them adjust in different activities without aggression.

• Overall health improvements. Staying active and participating in daily physical activities can decrease the risk of general health problems in individuals with ASD, including obesity.

• Increase quality of life. Daily activities such as climbing stairs, walking on the sidewalk, and going grocery shopping require the use of gross motor skills. Improving ones strength and stamina can positively affect their participation in everyday chores and activities.

References:

Motor Planning. North Shore Pediatric Therapy, nspt4kids.com/healthtopics-and-conditions-database/motor-planning/.

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Insurance May Cover Some Physical Therapy Costs

Physical therapy can be very valuable as an early intervention because it can reduce the need for surgery and medication later in life.

Increasingly, insurance companies are providing some coverage for physical therapy interventions, rather than just medication or surgery. This stems from a greater medical understanding that preventative interventions are vital to long-term health. Talk to your insurance provider about how physical therapy is covered in your plan as it relates to autism treatment.

Treating physical issues like poor posture or weak muscles with exercise first can improve overall outcomes and reduce the cost of medical care over the course of life. Depending on autism severity, the person may still need additional medical treatment, but physical therapy can help to improve range of motion and quality of life.

Understanding Autism Treatment Options

Finding out that your child has autism spectrum disorder can be a shock. You might feel upset and even fearful about their future. But its important to remember that every child has their own strengths and weaknessesand a child with autism is no exception.

There are many treatments that can help children with ASD acquire new skills and overcome a variety of developmental challenges. These treatments dont aim to cure ASD. Instead, they help improve your childs ability to socialize and play, function academically, and move through everyday life with adaptive skills.

Not every ASD treatment approach is effective for every child, though. It may take some time to tailor the treatment options to your childs specific needs. But a little patience and persistence can make a big difference in your childs life. Learning about the many treatments available can help you start to identify which approaches are best for your child and ensure they develop to their full potential.

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Some Physical Therapy Costs May Be Covered By Insurance

Physical therapy may be very beneficial as a preventative measure, since it can lessen the need for surgery and drugs later in life.

Physical therapy approaches are increasingly being covered by insurance companies, rather than merely medicine or surgery. This is due to a growing medical knowledge of the need of preventive treatments in long-term health. Consult your insurance provider to see whether physical therapy is covered as part of your autism treatment plan.

Physical concerns such as poor posture or weak muscles may be treated with exercise early, which can improve overall results and save medical costs over time. Depending on the severity of the autism, extra medical treatment may be required, but physical therapy may assist to improve range of motion and quality of life.

Professional Education Training And Future Development

Working with children with ASD requires competent, experienced professionals with advanced knowledge and skills.

Entry level/professional education programs

Professional education for physical therapy students is offered through the educational programs at academic facilities .

Postgraduate level

Physical therapists working with this population are invited to workshops and conferences on ASD and receive supervision in regards to their professional experience and needs.

National level the Autism Spectrum Disorders interest group

1. All leading clinical and academic physical therapists involved with this group of clients meet regularly on a monthly basis to discuss issues related to clinical care, and research and development of therapy plans.

2. Physical therapists working with this population are encouraged to become involved in case study presentation, clinical brain storming groups, workshops and conferences on the topic of ASD.

3. Novell physical therapists involved in direct interventions receive specific, individual instruction on a regular basis by experienced physical therapists, both as individual guidance meetings as well as group meetings.

4. Workshops and professional educational meetings for para-professionals from other disciplines working with individuals with ASD.

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Hydrotherapy For Children With Asd

In relation to motor skill development, physiotherapists had argued that swim instruction methods for children with an ASD can lead to faster learning of these skills. Some research argued that Hydrotherapy can be a beneficial form of exercise for autistic children. In addition, exercise-based physiotherapy can be highly beneficial for children with Autism.

Hydrotherapy has been commonly used to treat Autism patients. This usually takes place in a swimming pool. The pressure and temperature of the water pressing against the body can sooth an autistic child. Water as a property form can provide a claiming sensory input while the child preforms exercises designed to improve range of motion and overall mobility. Warm water can recue body weight by 90%, decreases the force of impact on the body, relaxes muscles and reduces spasticity, making water the ideal medium to rehabilitate the body.

What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability. It results in social, communication, and behavior challenges that can range from mild to severe. Signs of ASD begin in late infancy or early childhood. Sometimes it takes until the child is older to spot them. The signs of ASD continue throughout the life span. Before 2013, many terms described autism disorders. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association merged all autism disorders into one umbrella diagnosis of ASD. They published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . Health care providers use DSM-5 to assign diagnoses, including ASD. The term “spectrum” allows for variations in the symptoms and behaviors found among children with ASD.

All the causes of ASD are not yet known. Environmental, genetic, and biological factors may make a person more likely to develop ASD. The number of children diagnosed with ASD is growing. Better efforts to diagnose ASD may relate to the increase in cases. It may also be due to an increase in the causes of ASD that are not yet understood.

People with ASD may have impaired motor skills. Research shows that those with ASD can have limited coordination and postural control. They also may have to work harder to learn skills through imitation. Planning and completing certain movement skills are difficult for many children with ASD. These delays may make it hard for them to form social skills. As a result, they often do not participate with peers.

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Individual Sensory Systems And Postural Control

On completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Compare and contrast the core features and associated features of ASD.

• Identify 3 issues that can interfere with the development of motor skills in ASD.

• Discuss 3 major areas of PT intervention in children with ASD.

• Discuss the 9 components of postural control and how each of these components are impacted in children with ASD

• List the 3 major categories of sensory processing dysfunction.

• Identify 4 major sensory systems that can impact postural control in ASD.

• Identify 3 major visual issues in ASD.

• Compare and contrast sensory processing intervention with sensory integration intervention.

• Identify 4 major areas of assessment that should be covered in children with ASD who toe walk.

• Explain 2 strategies that can assist when interacting with clients with ASD who cannot tolerate manual correction and/or cannot follow directions.

Seeking A Physical Therapist After An Autism Diagnosis Start Here

Physical therapy sessions are always grounded in providing assistance to those that need it when it comes to getting healthy and becoming stronger and more capable, but this is doubly important for people that have been diagnosed with autism. Without the ability to participate in activities like playing with siblings or friends, taking part in gym classes, or having to coordination to complete daily tasks like getting dressed, eating or even communicating with those around them, autistic individuals may feel isolated, which can lead to more issues later on in life, and this is what using physical therapy to treat autism aims to eliminate. A physical therapist wont be the onlyperson that is able to help someone with an autism diagnosis, but they can be a valuable part of the treatment plan from beginning to end.

Want to learn more but arent sure where to start? Reach out to a physical therapy provider using the BetterPT clinic locator to find a therapy team or professional in your area, or simply download the BetterPT app for the same purpose. Unsure of whether or not physical therapy will help to treat autism for you or your loved one? Schedule a telehealth visit with the BetterTelehealth platform and have some of your questions answered before moving forward with physical therapy to treat autism.

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