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.
For many autistic children climbing means that their bodies get proprioceptive and vestibular input. Both jumping and climbing activities can provide a child with this type of sensory input and the autistic child craves it. They crave that heavy work, deep muscle, head tilting movement.
Hobbies such as collecting stamps, playing cards or board games, drawing and photography can also provide opportunities for enjoyment, as well as increased self-confidence and motivation individuals on the spectrum.
Climbing allows for independent movement. Children who have autism may not like physical contact and this is an activity that caters to that characteristic. Cross-curricular activities invite written communication; for example, by finding letters or spelling words on the climbing wall.
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.
Many autistic children and teenagers wander or run off, even when adults are supervising them. Autistic children wander for many reasons. For example, they might want to: avoid something in their environment, like noise.
Your child may choose to sleep on the floor because it offers the sense of security that their bed can't. A smooth, cool, and hard floor can be easier to deal with than a very soft bed. Laying on the floor can also help them feel more connected and grounded.
Furthermore, participants' preferred soft and comfortable textures, like satin; previous research also reporting that autistic individuals enjoy touching soft and smooth textures (Cascio et al., 2012).
Although this can sometimes feel challenging, it is important to recognize three very simple factors that every person with ASD needs: safety, acceptance and a sense of competence.
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.
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.
Communication challenges. Verbal communication is a challenge for some children with ASD. For parents of such children, communication is a problem that compounds the stress & anxiety of parents. Parents face the challenge that their child is unable to communicate their needs and wants.
Signs of High-Functioning Autism in Children
May appear more mature for their age and have above-average intelligence. A tendency to avoid eye contact. Trouble deviating from a routine or adapting to changes. Trouble making friends and maintaining social relationships or not “fitting in” with peers.
“High-functioning autism” isn't an official medical term or diagnosis. It's an informal one some people use when they talk about people with an autism spectrum disorder who can speak, read, write, and handle basic life skills like eating and getting dressed. They can live independently.
People with autism tend to have insomnia: It takes them an average of 11 minutes longer than typical people to fall asleep, and many wake up frequently during the night. Some people with the condition have sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to stop breathing several times during the night.
Does The Father Or Mother Carry The Autism Gene? Autism was always thought to have a maternal inheritance component, however, research suggests that the rarer variants associated with the disorder are usually inherited from the father.
Defining the Traits and Behaviors of Level 1 Autism
Difficulty switching between activities. Problems with executive functioning which hinder independence. Atypical response to others in social situations. Difficulty initiating social interactions and maintaining reciprocity in social interaction.
Because the natural world can be unpredictable and versatile, some may worry about experiencing sensory overload. However, outdoor activities may still be enjoyed by people with autism people worried about sensory overload by providing a sense of control and expectation of the stimulus.
Many kids and teens with autism make frequent sounds and noises when excited or anxious. These vocalizations — which can sound loud or quiet, high-pitched or low-pitched, happy or upset — are often a form of self-stimulatory behavior (stimming).
Time outdoors is good for all children, but it brings especially important benefits for children on the autism spectrum. Outdoor play benefits attention, coordination, mood, and more in kids. Getting outside is also good for sleep, something many children with autism struggle with.