Climbing, both indoors and out, gives us a community, builds our physical strength and has numerous benefits to our stress levels and personal mental health. For those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), these positive aspects of climbing are particularly important and helpful.
Other children climb because climbing is a thrill – these same children want to flex their muscles and satisfy their curiosity about what's up on the top of the shelf. For many autistic children climbing means that their bodies get proprioceptive and vestibular input.
Climbing is a very tactile activity with a visually inviting motivator for children to climb. Gaining exposure to movement and sensory input can help with motor processing.
Think of your child's climbing habit as a natural progression of his developing mobility. First he can hold his head up, then he can sit up, then he can crawl, which gives him a whole new access to the world around him. With climbing, he gets even more ways to practice motor skills, balance and hand-eye coordination.
A child with ASD can be challenging—they may be restless; have trouble sleeping, eating or speaking; experience seizures; or have meltdowns born of frustration or overstimulation. Expectations for a “normal” life may need to be adjusted.
One key finding was that children's symptom severity can change with age. In fact, children can improve and get better. "We found that nearly 30% of young children have less severe autism symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3.
Have you ever wondered why some kids hang, lean, and climb on EVERYTHING? Well, when kids hang, lean, climb, push, and pull, they gain access to a certain type of sensory input called proprioception. Proprioception is related to the idea of body awareness.
“There is an interesting theory about a link between lack of crawling and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. It all has to do with a reflex we are born with called the “symmetric tonic neck reflex” (STNR). This reflex helps us operate our upper and lower body independently.
Sensory issues can be a common challenge for individuals with autism. They may overreact to a sound, a texture, or a smell that may seem normal to others. For example, the sound of a vacuum cleaner or a loud motorcycle can be too overwhelming for someone with autism.
Science fiction and fantasy are often of great interest to autistic people. Depending on their interest levels and abilities, people on the spectrum may learn every detail of a particular "universe," write their own stories, watch and rewatch movies, read comics, attend conventions, or even make their own costumes.
Children with High Functioning Autism have a problem maintaining eye contact with the parent or caregiver. They may not respond to caregivers in the way other children do. They may not laugh or play with the same mannerisms.
A dysfunctional vestibular system, a common problem in autism, may be responsible for toe walking. The vestibular system provides the brain with feedback regarding body motion and position.
It's important to note that just because a toddler may exhibit some signs of autism, it does not necessarily mean they have autism. Some toddlers may show delays in communication or socialization due to other factors such as hearing loss, language barriers, or even simply being introverted.
Yes! Although they sound similar, sensory processing difficulties can be present without autism. Often children or adults with other neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions such as Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, Anxiety, ADHD, or mood disorders can also exhibit Sensory Processing Disorder.
Many children with autism love to jump and bounce. It's a particularly enjoyable repetitive behavior that can provide both soothing and stimulating sensory input. But jumping and bouncing in a crib can definitely become a problem.
During times of uncertainty, having the energy to climb all over you can also be a sign that your kids need to calm and regulate their emotions to relieve their stress.
Typically, autism is permanent, though there are cases where people outgrow it or it resolves. With that said, autism symptoms can and do change with age.
Children with autism are often clumsy, physically awkward or uncoordinated.
Many autistic people have meltdowns. The public often finds it hard to tell autism meltdowns and temper tantrums apart, but they are very different things.
In fact, research has shown that autism symptoms tend to peak around the ages of 2-3 years old. During this time, children with autism may struggle with language development, social interaction, and behavior. They may have difficulty communicating their needs and understanding the needs of others.
Some developmental health professionals refer to PDD-NOS as “subthreshold autism." In other words, it's the diagnosis they use for someone who has some but not all characteristics of autism or who has relatively mild symptoms.
In conclusion, there are many factors that can make autism worse. Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism.