Some sports are difficult for children with autism (ASD). But that doesn’t mean that children with autism shouldn’t be physically active. It’s important to help your child choose a sport that he or she will enjoy and excel at. When it comes to sports, autism certainly presents challenges, but it also presents exciting opportunities.
The benefits of sport for a child with autism
Research into the effects of exercise and sport on children with ASD has in every case produced encouraging results, which are as follows:
- Improving social skills and communication;
- Building physical fitness;
- Increased muscle strength and endurance;
- Significant progress in improving gross motor skills.
It is worth noting that specialists at the Center for Disease Control recommend starting small. An autistic child with minimal physical activity should first be accustomed to long walks, in which case it is good if there is a dog in the family.
The algorithm of repetitive actions does not hurt to include pauses for a break from the computer or TV, occupying them with physical exercises, for example, jumps or squats.
The children’s playground should not be ignored either, but choose a time to visit so that the child has their own safe space for basic exercise.
When such activities become habitual for the child, you can move on to choosing a sport.
Team sports are not the first choice
While there may be exceptions, team sports like soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and hockey can be especially difficult for your autistic child. And here’s why:
- Teams are always tied to social interaction. Participation in team sports requires advanced social skills. Autism is a condition in which these skills are impaired. Thus, children with ASD may find it difficult to fit into a team, communicate with teammates, or predict the actions of another teammate.
- Team sports, in which the ball or puck must be controlled, require a great deal of physical strength and good coordination. Autism is often accompanied by low muscle tone and coordination problems. For this reason, autistic children may not make good players.
- Games of team sports are often played in very hot, cold, noisy, or brightly colored environments. Most children with ASD have sensory processing problems that make it difficult for them to cope with loud noises, bright lights, and extreme temperatures. As a result, the child will feel unhappy and may even refuse to participate in sports altogether.
However, many communities are committed to providing opportunities for autistic children to participate in team sports. If a child expresses an interest in sports, adaptive sports designed specifically for children with special needs and disabilities may be considered.
Suitable team sports for kids with autism
Not every team sport requires high-level communication and interaction skills. In many of them, an individual athlete may well be a valuable member of the team. Here are some team sports that may be suitable for your child.
- Swimming
A great sport for most people, including children with autism. There are times when children withASD have difficulty controlling a ball, but they do well with basic paddling and simple water play. Moreover, strong swimmers with autism can perform quite well on swim teams because the sport is focused on individual achievement.
- Athletics
Oddly enough, Americans teach the youngest children to play challenging team sports (e.g., soccer), but running and jumping are mostly done by high school students. For children with autism, athletics can be a great choice. Competition requires less social skills than most team sports, and children who excel in track and field are highly valued by teammates.
- Bowling
Despite the loudness, bowling can be a good fit for many children with autism. Perhaps it’s the repeated repetition of the process – pick up the ball, throw the ball, sit down to rest, and so on through the cycle. It’s also a lot of fun to watch the pins fall. Whatever the reasons, bowling is a great sport for social events involving children with ASD.
School and recreational sports
If young children are able to follow instructions and interact properly with teammates, they are usually included in all recreational sports at school, regardless of their special characteristics. This is unlikely to be a problem until the sport becomes a serious competition. But if your child has trouble following directions or interacting appropriately, you can move them to individualized lessons.
Some school teams offer special needs kids these forms of teamwork: helping with chores, participating in the game when it won’t affect the outcome. It is up to you and your child to decide if this type of participation is a plus or a minus; some enjoy it, while others are uncomfortable being the “mascot” of the team.
Individual sports are a good choice for kids with autism
There is a whole world of individual sports. And autistic children can and already do participate in many of them. Skiing, surfing, sailing and more can be a great choice for your child, especially if your family enjoys these sports. You can choose any sport you want. Here are the most popular ones among people on the spectrum.
- Horse riding
Of course, it comes at a cost. However, it is a great sport for children with autism. Many autistic children ride horses as part of their therapy sessions (that’s why it’s called “hippotherapy”). Autistic children often find it easier to socialize with animals than with people, and many autistic children excel at horseback riding.
- Hiking (and fishing)
For many people with ASD, the peace and quiet of nature is a great stress reliever. Individual or group hiking is an easy way to get exercise while enjoying nature without the intense social interaction. Fishing is another sport that can be enjoyed by a person with autism who loves nature.
- Bike riding
It can be difficult for children with autism to ride a bicycle because not all of them have a good sense of balance. However, once basic skills are mastered, cycling can be a great way to enjoy nature. As with most of the sports described above, cycling can be done alone or with a group of people, just for fun or for competition.
- Martial arts
Karate, Judo, Taekwondo, Aikido and many others combine elements of predictability and structure with physical interaction with others. For many children with autism, martial arts are a great way to develop physical skills and build self-esteem.
- Trampolining
Researchers in autism research consider trampolining to be an important part of therapy for children with ASD. Simple, dynamic exercises are good for strengthening the vestibular apparatus. Jumpers have better balance and become more confident in their movements on the ground. Besides, the space, limited only by the net, gives the child freedom of movement, and in his favorite manner with endless repetitions. By the way, experts in the correction of children with autism advise using a trampoline as a reward for successfully completing other physical exercises and as a means of combating stress.
Conclusion
Choosing an appropriate sport for a child with autism requires consideration of the child’s interests, physical abilities and level of sensory sensitivity. Despite the challenges, sports play an important role in developing social skills, improving physical fitness and building self-esteem. Individual sports such as horseback riding, martial arts or trampolining are often more comfortable and beneficial for children with autism. However, some team sports, such as swimming or bowling, can also be a great choice when adaptive accommodations are available. The key is to create a safe and supportive environment where the child can reach their potential and enjoy physical activity.
