How exercise can help
Health and Wellbeing
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Exercise can help manage the negative health implications of physical inactivity, as well as Autism-specific symptoms.
In Australia, 80% of children do not participate in enough exercise AND research shows that youth with ASD do less physical activity than their peers.
These statistics alarmed us and was our driving purpose to create a change.
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Self-Esteem and Confidence
We know the developmental difficulties that youth on the spectrum experience effects their self-esteem and confidence.
Participating in regular exercise can enhance motor development leading to independence and ability to function for every day tasks, ultimately developing a sense of normalcy.
Muscle Tone and Strength
Muscle Tone and Strength
Studies have shown that around 30% of youth with ASD have moderate to severe loss of muscle tone.
Muscle tone is important for maintaining posture, movement coordination and is foundational to developing fine and gross motor skills, balance and coordination.
Participating in an individually tailored exercise program can develop and improve muscle tone and strength.
Balance and Coordination
Muscle Tone and Strength
Due to low muscle tone, youth with ASD experience difficulties in coordinating movement and finding balance.
Research demonstrates that balance is related to our cognitive abilities such as information processing, motor planning, timing and sequencing of muscle movements. These motor difficulties may limit their activity choices and ability to interact with peers.
Working with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can assist in planning exercise to improve balance and coordination in a fun and inclusive way.
Social Behaviour and Communication Skills
A study published in 2018 investigating exercise effects on youth with ASD found that those who participated in regular physical activity showed decreased autism-related symptoms.
Vast improvements were found in verbal and non-verbal social communication skills.
Working with an Accredited Exercise Physiologist can develop social behaviour and communication skills, ultimately improving quality of life.
Emotional Regulation and Attention
Individual's with ASD may experience difficulties in regulating their emotions and maintaining attention.
Emotional self-regulation is the ability to adapt behaviour when engaged in situations that might provoke emotions such as stress, anxiety, annoyance and frustration.
Regular physical activity has been shown to decrease common ASD symptoms.
WHAT TO EXPECT
How our Exercise Physiologists will work with you
Our Exercise Physiologists are university qualified health professionals trained in clinical exercise prescription. We understand the barriers to physical activity in those with ASD and will work closely with you to engage your child in our exercise sessions.
Your initial appointment will be all about getting to know you and your child to begin building our relationship. During this appointment, we will identify what barriers your child may experience and tailor a specific exercise program to their specific sensory and motor needs and goals.
Our sessions may not look like a 'traditional' exercise program, however they have been designed in way that is fun, exciting and will keep your child engaged. Our aim is for our sessions to be as enjoyable as possible so that your child is excited to keep coming back.
Indoor - Located within NAFC, we have access to multiple exercise rooms in which we can practise privately without public distraction. A typical session will involve an engaging circuit/obstacle set up. Dependent on your child's needs, your session will be designed to focus on cardiovascular and strength training that also incorporates fun games to develop hand-eye coordination, balance, sensory processing and movement planning.
