MOTOR DIFFICULTIES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRON DISORDER AND INTERVENTION METHODS

Children with autism spectrum disorder often face many barriers in life. Common difficulties include communication, social interaction, and language. In addition, another important issue also needs attention. Those are the motor difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder.

To help your child overcome this barrier, parents can refer to the program at District 7 Intervention School – Happy World Academy. This impaired motor condition usually includes both gross motor and fine motor skills.

Recognizing motor difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder

The motor system of autistic children is divided into two main groups. Parents need to clearly distinguish between gross motor and fine motor skills:

• Gross motor skills: These are movements involving the large muscle groups of the body. Gross motor skills serve daily life functions such as rolling, crawling, standing, walking, running, and jumping. This skill also includes hand-eye coordination abilities like riding a bicycle or swimming.

• Fine motor skills: This skill involves the use of smaller muscle groups in the hands. Fine motor skills are shown through writing, using scissors, and picking up small objects. Other behaviors include assembling Lego blocks or opening bottle caps.

Some identifying characteristics of autistic children facing motor difficulties:

• The child’s limb movements are often slow and weak. Their coordination of limbs is relatively poor.

• The child’s ability to grasp objects is loose and insecure. The child does not coordinate fingers well and struggles to place objects in the correct position.

• The child may be accompanied by developmental coordination disorder (DCD). This disorder causes the child’s body movements to be clumsy, slow, and inaccurate.

These persistent motor difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder impact daily life. These problems combined with communication barriers will cause great difficulties for learning. The child will also struggle to play sports and have reduced social adaptation skills later on.

Physical therapy methods for autistic children with motor difficulties

Certain physical therapy exercises will support children in improving their mobility. Rehabilitation specialists at Happy World Early Intervention School will collect information from doctors and families. Then, they evaluate the child’s skills through direct observation and plan an intervention.

The role of physical therapy is to restore body mobility. At the same time, these physical exercises also help prevent obesity in children.

Basic gross motor and fine motor exercises

• Gross motor exercises: Guide children to crawl, walk, run, and jump on different terrains. Practice moving on flat roads, bumpy roads, or overcoming obstacles. Practice keeping balance and controlling objects like catching or throwing balls.

• Fine motor exercises: Teach children how to use pens, cut paper with scissors, and hold small objects. Guide them to assemble Lego blocks together or open bottle caps and box lids.

Muscle strength training based on each child’s characteristics

• For children with weak muscle tone: Specialists let children practice with light weights. Or they apply natural exercises like carrying heavy objects from one place to another. These exercises help strengthen muscle power.

• For children with higher muscle tone than normal (with cerebral palsy): The school applies relaxation exercises on specialized balls. We combine passive stretching methods to relax the body.

Intervention sessions at District 7 Intervention School – Happy World Academy always take place naturally. We create a comfortable space for children to maximize their motor abilities. Specialists are always flexible and do not force the child if they protest too much.

Hydrotherapy methods for children with autism spectrum disorder

Hydrotherapy is a very popular form of exercise under water. The swimming instruction method helps autistic children learn skills faster. Children easily develop the ability to coordinate body parts in the water environment.

This activity usually takes place in a safe swimming pool for children. The pressure and temperature of the water on the body help soothe uncomfortable behaviors. Warm water helps reduce body weight by 90% and relaxes muscles completely. This is an ideal medium for body recovery and reducing full-body pressure.

Children who develop well in motor skills will show significant improvement in cognition. Therefore, parents should let their children participate in early intervention as soon as possible. The coordination between technicians and families will help children quickly integrate into the community.

For expert consultations, parents please contact:

• ☎️ Hotline: 0932 643 539

• 🏠 Address: 21-23 O Street, My Giang 2, Phu My Hung, Tan Hung Ward, District 7, HCMC.

• 👉 [INBOX THE FANPAGE OF HAPPY WORLD EARLY INTERVENTION SCHOOL TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT]

References

1. Professional medical knowledge website: https://www.physio-pedia.com/

2. Summary documents of pediatric physical therapy and rehabilitation – Children’s Hospital 1, Children’s Hospital 2.

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