EXERCISE FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISIM

 Studies demonstrate that engaging in the intense movement for longer than 20 minutes can help reduce stereotyped behaviors, hyperactivity, and hostility in autistic children. Exercise not only improves how well autistic children interact with their environment, but it also aids in weight loss and improves general health.

For autistic children to improve coordination, strength, endurance, and body awareness, full-body workouts are preferable. Try these five exercises. It's crucial to instruct an autistic child in a new exercise in a relaxed and encouraging setting. 

Offer encouraging words such as, "You're doing a terrific job!" Also, utilize verbal or physical cues to direct them through the movements and lessen the likelihood that they will become irritated or angry.

1. Bear crawls

Bear crawls promote body awareness, enhance motor planning and coordination, and strengthen the upper and trunk of the body.

1. On all fours, place your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.
2. Legs extended and slightly bent. In order to make the most contact with the floor, spread your fingers widely.
3. Cross the floor with your hands and feet around 10 to 20 feet.
4. Holding this posture, move backward in the same manner.
5. For best results, try varying the direction and speed.
6. An instructor can offer hands-on assistance at the hips if the action is too challenging.

 2. Medicine ball slams

Weighted object throwing, such as using medicine balls, may strengthen the core, balance, and coordination. It can also stimulate the brain regions in charge of short-term memory and may have therapeutic advantages.

1. Standing at the start with a medicine ball in each hand.
2. Straighten your arms as you raise the ball overhead.
3. Using all of your might, slam the ball to the ground.
4. Repeat the motion 20 times while bending your knees to pick up the ball.
5. By throwing the ball to hit a target or making the ball heavier, you can make this exercise more difficult.

3. Star jumps

Jumping exercises are excellent full-body workouts that strengthen the legs and core, develop body awareness, and improve cardiovascular endurance. Star leaps are simple exercises that may be done anywhere, either one at a time or repeatedly.

1. Start out in a squatting position with your knees bent, your feet flat on the ground, and your arms at your chest.
2. Immediately rise from the floor and form an X with your arms and legs.
3. Return to the beginning posture after landing with your arms and knees tucked in. Continue until you become weary after up to 20 repetitions.

4. Arm circles

Authors of a study that was published in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders discovered that motions resembling those made by autistic people may aid in giving the body the feedback it requires. This might lessen repetitive actions like clapping or waving arms. 

An excellent upper-body workout that improves flexibility and strength in the shoulders and back is arm circles, which can be performed at any place without any special equipment.

1. Arms by your side, feet shoulder-width apart.
2. At shoulder height, extend your arms straight out to the side.
3. While maintaining your arms straight, start forming little circles with your hands.
4. Increase the size of the circles gradually as you move your shoulders.

5. Mirror exercises

Difficulty engaging with others or the environment is a common feature of autism. Mirror exercises enable the youngster to imitate what another person does, which helps improve their coordination, self-awareness, and social skills.

1. Hands by your side, face your spouse.
2. Ask your companion to start moving their arms slowly. Start with circles and work your way up to more intricate patterns.
3. When you're ready, imitate your partner's motion as though you're staring in a mirror. If they raise their right arm, for instance, you raise your left.
4. For further feedback, try lightly touching your hands.
5. For one to two minutes, keep doing this. Consider including the head, trunk, and legs as additional body components. three to five times. 

Before beginning an exercise program with a child who has autism, always see a doctor.

Go out slowly and keep an eye out for indicators of exhaustion like shortness of breath, cramps in the muscles, or vertigo.

Before exercising, make sure the child is properly hydrated and rested.

It's ideal to begin at a low intensity and gradually increase to tougher, more intense sessions.