ورزش‌های مناسب برای کودکان مبتلا به اوتیسم نقش کلیدی در بهبود کیفیت زندگی این کودکان ایفا می‌کنند. اگر فرزندتان با چالش‌های ارتباطی یا حرکتی مواجه است، شاید تصور کنید ورزش مناسب او نیست. اما باید اشاره کنیم که فعالیت‌های بدنی خاصی وجود دارند که می‌توانند تمرکز، تعامل اجتماعی و آرامش ذهنی کودکان اوتیستیک را تقویت کنند. In this article, you will learn about sports that are not only safe, but also make your child progress significantly.

benefits of exercise for children with autism

Exercise can have positive effects on various aspects of the life of children with autism. Some of the most important advantages are as follows:

• Group sports help children practice communication skills such as taking turns, cooperation, and following rules.
• Regular physical activity releases happy hormones such as endorphins, which help reduce tension and anxiety in autistic children.
• Doing structured sports helps children to increase their ability to concentrate and reduce stereotyped or repetitive behaviors.
Many children with autism have weak motor skills. Sports such as swimming or gymnastics can strengthen their balance, flexibility and body coordination.
• When a child is successful in a physical activity, a sense of success and satisfaction is created in him, which increases his self-esteem.
• Physical activity helps to regulate the child's sleep time and improves the quality of night sleep.
• Planned and predictable exercises gently introduce autistic children to changes and increase their mental flexibility.

Read more: How to live with autism?

best sports for children with autism

Some sports can help improve social interaction, concentration and movement skills of autistic children due to their specific structure, repetition and relaxation. The most important of them are:

swimming

Swimming is one of the best sports for children with autism, because the calm environment of the water reduces environmental stimulation and creates a sense of security. Regular movements in the water strengthen muscles, increase balance, improve movement coordination, and most importantly, reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. Be aware that swimming also provides opportunities to interact with the instructor and other children in a controlled environment.

Yoga

riding therapy (hippotherapy)

Riding on a horse is a form of physical and mental therapy for children with autism. The rhythm of horse movement strengthens balance, central muscle strength and body coordination. On the other hand, communication with the animal increases the sense of responsibility and trust in the child. This exercise is often performed in quiet spaces and can have a positive effect on social and emotional behaviors.

gymnastics

Gymnastics, with its varied movements, strengthens fine and gross motor skills, balance and body control in children. This sport can be done individually or in groups, and by creating a specific structure, it helps autistic children to more easily adapt to the rules and sports programs. Also, these exercises strengthen the child's self-confidence and sense of success.

walking and cycling

These two simple and accessible activities are good options for starting exercise with an autistic child. Walking in quiet environments calms the child's mind and helps to improve the mood. In addition to creating vitality, cycling also strengthens the coordination between legs, hands and eyes. Of course, note that both sports can be done daily with parents.

Light martial sports (like karate or tai chi)

Martial sports with an emphasis on order, concentration and repetition of movements are a suitable choice for autistic children. Children's karate or tai chi can help a child channel their energy in a positive direction and strengthen self-control skills. These sports are accompanied by respect for the rules and the coach, which itself is a kind of indirect training for social behavior.

group games

If the child has some ability to interact with others, group games such as non-competitive soccer or practice basketball with simple rules can help him practice social skills and teamwork. In these games, it is better to reduce competition and focus on cooperation and playing. These sports provide an opportunity for social growth, understanding turn, and experiencing empathy.

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Points that children with autism should follow during sports!

Exercise for children with autism will be effective when it begins with care, patience and proper planning. Therefore, following some care points can help the child to have a positive, safe and pleasant experience of physical activity.

• Start exercise with simple and short-term activities and gradually increase its time.
• The exercise environment should be calm, without many sensory stimuli and predictable.
• Use sports that have a clear structure and rules so that the child does not get confused.
• Use the child's interests in choosing the type of sport so that he has more motivation and participation.
• Always maintain a fixed routine for the time and place of exercise in order to create a sense of security in the child.
• Pay attention to the signs of tiredness or discomfort of the child and rest if needed.
• Use verbal encouragement and simple rewards to reinforce positive sports behavior.
• Give the child a chance to learn at his own pace and never compare him with others.

Can exercise strengthen the social skills of autistic children?

Yes, sports can play an effective role in strengthening the social skills of children with autism disorder. Many of these children have challenges in communicating with others, understanding emotions, taking turns and cooperation, so sports activities, especially those performed in groups or with a coach, provide an opportunity for social interaction.

Also, during exercise, the child learns how to communicate with others, respect the rules and practice simple social behaviors such as saying hello, thanking or asking for help. In fact, sports increase the child's self-confidence, which will be the basis for more successful social interactions.

Can exercise be a substitute for autism drug treatment?

No, exercise is not a substitute for medication for autism, but it can work as a very effective complementary method. Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that requires a multifaceted therapeutic approach such as medication, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, and educational support.

Meanwhile, exercise can facilitate the treatment process and increase the quality of life of the child by reducing anxiety, improving concentration, strengthening social skills and increasing physical and mental health. Therefore, exercise alone is not enough, but together with other treatments, it can have significant positive effects.

Finally….

Sports for children with autism is not just a physical activity, but an opportunity for their all-round mental, emotional and social development. By choosing the right type of exercise and providing suitable conditions, it is possible to help improve concentration, reduce anxiety and increase communication skills of these children; Also, the role of the family and knowledgeable coach is very vital in this direction.