Physical Therapy For Autistic Child

Autism is a mental condition that manifests in early childhood. Despite the increase in autism-related researches and studies, scientist still can’t pinpoint the exact cause of this disorder. Children with this condition often have problems in social interaction, communication, and also express behavioral difficulties.  In the past such children were labeled as “difficult children” and parents tend to treat them as such. We know better now, though.

 

Many Autistic children also face physical issues such as late development in gross motor skills. Inconsistent motoric control also hinders their ability in daily life activities.

Physical therapy for autistic child is generally tailored to help them improve their motor skills. This therapy should go hand in hand with psychological therapy to help the children overcoming their difficulties in social settings.

When should the therapy start?

As a parent, should you suspect your child is late in developing gross mental skills you should seek advice from a physician for a proper diagnosis for Autistic Mental Disorder (ASD).  Self-diagnosis is not reliable and in no way should it replace a proper diagnosis from a physician and child psychiatrist.

If the diagnosis confirms that your child has ASD then you should start the therapy immediately. A physical therapist will assess your child’s skills, needs, and interests. After that he will construct a customized treatment plan to help your child improve his physical abilities so your child is able to function properly in daily life activities. 

The therapy sessions can be held at home, clinic, hospital, or day care. A lot of parents choose to have the sessions in hospitals because the facilities are more readily available there. However, if your child feels safer and more comfortable at home you should do the therapy in your home.  It is very important for the children to feel comfortable during the therapy since they are more likely to stick with it.

What is the therapy like?

The physical therapy sessions generally last about two hours with plenty of short breaks. For small children there are many structured plays designed to help children practice their coordination and balance. The plays also help children develop gross and fine motoric skills. Children having problems with their respiratory systems will receive special treatments to mend this problem. 

For school-age children the therapy consists of activities to help children function in school settings. Many autistic children face great difficulty in schools when it comes to personal space and peer interactions. For this reason the therapy often includes family members and siblings to practice peer relationships.  Family support and involvement are becoming more important part for the therapy. Practicing peer relationships should not stop when the therapy session ends. It is an all-day-long experience. Granted, autistic children may prefer intermittent instead of continuous interactions. It’s okay as long as there is a noticeable improvement in their social skills.

Physical therapy for autistic children is not a one-size-fits-all scheme. While the treatment follows some basic guidelines, it varies a lot in practice. As your child grows the treatment may need some adjustment to stay up to date with your child’s conditions and improvements.

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