The Best Sports For Children With Autism – Parenthood

Playing sports at an early age has many benefits for children. They learn skills such as coordination and solving communication problems, among others. In addition, sport among the youngest promotes a healthy lifestyle. Thus, sports for autistic children also offer many concrete benefits to this group.

The problem is that these skills may not be as easy to learn for children with the spectrum of autism disorder (ASD). The central characteristics of ASD affect social, communication, coordination and behavioral abilities,  which are fundamental in many team sports.

Main characteristics of autistic children

According to Julia Connelly, psychologist and clinical director of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at the University of Utah Health,  common characteristics of children with autism include:

• Difficulties in social situations.
• Concern for certain themes or certain subjects.
• Sensory sensitivities: noise, light, clothing or food.
• Communication difficulties,  including problems developing language or understanding social language and difficulties with eye contact or the use of gestures.

Taking this into account, it is easy to understand that  many sports may not be very suitable for children with autism. Moreover, if you force the practice of sports that require you to have these skills, such as football or basketball, it is very likely that these symptoms will worsen.

However, in life it’s not all about team sports. What is more,  certain sports are very beneficial for children with autism,  both from the point of view of the benefits of the sport itself as well as the possibilities it offers for children with ASD to feel better.

Sports for autistic children

According to Connelly’s explanation, individual sports where children have teammates without playing in groups, as in traditional sports, have more specific benefits for children with autism. This is the case  with cycling, horse riding, gymnastics, swimming or athletics.

Cycling

Cycling can be difficult for children with autism. This is because little ones with ASD may have more trouble than usual with balance. Nonetheless,  once the basic skills are mastered, cycling can be a great sport for these children. In fact, it’s a great way to learn to maintain balance and achieve a greater level of independence and stamina.

Cycling can be done individually or in groups, for fun or in competitions. In addition, faced with the problem of balance, we can have recourse to certain alternatives, such as using drive wheels.

Gymnastic

Gymnastics is another sport for children with autism that can be of great benefit. Through the use of equipment such as trampolines, beams, etc., children with ASD can improve motor skills, such as cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength.

In addition,  with gymnastics, they also work on balance, flexibility and coordination,  while developing self-confidence and confidence in others and improving their social skills.

Swimming

Learning to swim is a very valuable skill for all children. In addition, as a sport, swimming can be practiced individually or in a team, for fun or to participate in competitions. Being part of a swim team allows autistic children to develop at their own pace.

In addition,  swimming is considered a therapeutic activity  because it can help children with autism to improve their language, coordination, social skills, self-esteem and cognitive processing.

Horse riding

Horseback riding is a great sport for children with autism. In fact, many children with this disorder ride horses because it is a therapeutic activity. Also, many autistic children find it easier to communicate with animals than with people.

Through horseback riding, in addition to working on physical aspects related to coordination, balance and strength,  they also develop motor, emotional and sensory sensations.

Athletics

Athletics is practiced on an individual basis, but competition is done as a team. This allows autistic children to socialize with their companions, if they wish,  but this does not have to happen in order to be successful in practicing the different specialties of this discipline.

Running is one of the best workouts and offers benefits related to the decrease in self-stimulating behavior, the decrease in aggressive behavior, while being a way to release accumulated tension and energy.

What to remember about sports for children with autism

If you want your autistic child to participate in sports with other children to bond, the best option is to  start with sports activities where each team member contributes independently. 

You can prepare him by offering him free play opportunities related to sports, by promoting play through technology (through specific video games) or by creating physical activities especially for him. The idea is that he gradually familiarizes himself with the sport.

Finally, you must take into account that, just as your little one with an ASD needs specific attention in the classroom, coordinated or developed by a specialist teacher,  it is also necessary that, when sports practice, the coach has specific preparation and knowledge.