Gross motor skills involve the use of large muscle groups for activities like walking, running, jumping, and climbing. These skills are crucial for independence and participation in everyday life. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience challenges in developing strong gross motor skills. To help improve these skills, autism therapy services can be highly beneficial.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that affects brain development and function. This can impact the way a child processes sensory information, plans and coordinates movements, and interacts with their environment. As a result, children with ASD often experience difficulties with both gross and fine motor skills.
Studies suggest that up to 87% of children with ASD aged 5-15 years exhibit some form of movement difficulty. These difficulties can vary significantly from child to child. Some children may primarily struggle with gross motor skills like running, jumping, and throwing a ball. This might manifest as clumsiness, difficulty maintaining balance, or problems with coordination.
Other children may face greater challenges with fine motor skills, which involve smaller movements of the hands, fingers, and toes. This can make tasks like holding a pencil, manipulating buttons, or using utensils frustrating and challenging. In some cases, a child may experience difficulties in both areas.
There are several reasons why autism can impact motor development.
Early identification and assessment of developmental motor disorders are essential for children with ASD. Research suggests that early childhood motor developmental delays can be an early indicator of ASD, arising before other signs develop. As such, physiotherapists play a critical role in identifying and assessing these disorders.
Physiotherapists are highly trained in identifying disruptions to normal development. They have the skills to screen for motor disorders using standardized assessments and observe a child’s overall development over time.
Physiotherapists who specialize in pediatrics can identify any early motor difficulties, such as delays in rolling, crawling, walking, or difficulty with coordination and balance. If they suspect a developmental motor disorder, they can refer the child for further screening and diagnosis from a pediatrician, developmental pediatrician, or child psychiatrist.
Early intervention can significantly improve short and long-term outcomes for children with ASD. If a child receives an ASD diagnosis, an early intervention program can help them develop the skills they need to participate in everyday activities, improve social participation, and reach their full potential.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is the standard reference for diagnosing ASD. Physiotherapists can play a critical role in supporting this diagnostic process by identifying and documenting any motor developmental disorders that may be signs of ASD.
Early identification of motor developmental disorders can also help identify co-occurring conditions, such as intellectual impairment or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This comprehensive information can be used to plan the child’s individualized support plan, ensuring they receive all the interventions they need to thrive.
If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with ASD, you should be aware of the signs that indicate the need for physiotherapy intervention. Physiotherapy can significantly improve a child’s life by helping them overcome motor disorders, improve motor control, and support overall development.
Signs that your child may benefit from physiotherapy include:
Early intervention programs can be highly beneficial in identifying your child’s motor difficulties and providing strategies to address them. Even if your child’s symptoms are minor, but you still have concerns about their motor development, seeking an assessment from a qualified healthcare professional is essential.
Household work or chores can be surprisingly effective for developing motor skills, motor planning, and overall coordination for autistic children. Activities that involve bending over, squatting, grasping, pulling, twisting, and balancing all contribute to gross motor development.
These chores can also establish good habits, encourage family responsibility, and build self-esteem. As soon as your child can walk, they can help with simple tasks like pushing a toy vacuum cleaner, gathering laundry, or wiping down surfaces.
Taking care of a pet or plant can encourage bending, squatting, balancing, lunging, carrying, and motor planning. Younger children can help with basic tasks like watering a plant or putting food in a bowl.
Making the bed can be broken down into smaller tasks suitable for different ages. Children can learn to change sheets, tuck them in, and make the bed for the night. These activities encourage crossing midline and weight shifting.
Folding clothes is a great activity for older children, promoting focus, attention to detail, and organizational skills in addition to fine and gross motor skills. Teens can be entrusted with the entire laundry process, fostering responsibility and independence.
Children can help with loading and unloading the dishwasher or handwashing dishes. This activity provides sensory input through water while working the upper body, core, shoulders, arms, and hands for stabilization.
Sweeping, vacuuming, and raking involve scooping, squatting, and bending. They also require bilateral hand use. Older children can complete the entire activity, while younger ones can help pick up sticks or use child-sized tools.
If you are concerned about your child’s development, consider contacting a board-certified ABA therapist. Rainbow ABA provides in-home ABA therapy services to children with autism in New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, and Georgia. Our experienced therapists can help your child develop the skills they need to thrive.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!
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