Autism Physiotherapy
Holmes Therapy has a passion for providing physiotherapy for participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite not having any physical impairments, having a diagnosis of Autism can have a profound impact on your physical development. Physiotherapists can support children and adults to improve their gross motor skills and physical health. To maximise the quality of support, Holmes Therapy will always get to know the person, using their strengths and hobbies as generating points to optimise therapeutic outcomes.
Autism Physiotherapy Treatment can include:
- Hydrotherapy (water-based therapy)
- Yoga
- Gait training
- Pilates
- Mindfulness and stretching
- Gross motor development
- Core Strengthening
- Sport development
Perth Physiotherapy for Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorder is neuro-developmental disability that presents quite differently between each individual. Two of the most common characteristics include; issues with social communication and repetitive behaviours. Autism physiotherapy focuses on the individual, through the completion of a thorough and tailored assessment, that assists with identifying any movement difficulties or delays. Physiotherapy for Autism can also be useful because participants may have issues with coordination, strength, balance or body awareness.
Evidence suggests that individuals with Autism have a lower level of physical activity, this becomes increasingly lower as participants get older. Physiotherapy for Autism supports individuals to explore different forms of exercise and physical activity depending on their interests. It is important that physiotherapy for Autism is utilised in children because this will assist in finding physical activities that kids love and help form healthy routines with exercise. In addition, through early intervention, autism physiotherapy can increase a child’s skill and ability, building confidence to support participation in everyday activities. As children get older, Autism Physiotherapy will then support participants to engage in sporting/ community activities and work towards their NDIS goals.
Physiotherapy for Autism involves working alongside the occupational therapist and family to have a good understanding of someone’s sensory needs. To support goal attainment, physiotherapists must be aware of a person’s hypersensitivities and hyposensitivities. For example, some people may use movement or noise to regulate themselves, physiotherapists must be aware of their client’s needs as this will optimise therapeutic outcomes. In addition, having an awareness of their clients’ sensory needs may help provide clinical reasoning as to why a child or adult does something a certain way and how this may have an impact on their task performance. For example, if a child with ASD is toe walking one of the contributing factors could be that they need deep pressure through the balls of their foot to feel grounded and regulated.
Social communication can be a barrier to participating in group activities. Physiotherapy for Autism can support children and adults to successfully communicate with their peers. One of the key strategies is practicing in a quiet one-on-one environment, before transitioning to mainstream activities. Physiotherapists will pitch the activity at the right level for the participant, helping them feel positive and confident to continue to keep practicing. Physiotherapists can practice the physical skill as well as coach them on the aspects of being involved in a team. In addition, physiotherapists can provide education to the team on how to play with their peers, using both verbal communication or visual cues.
Why Holmes Therapy for Autism Physiotherapy
Holmes Therapy has the skills and understanding to provide physiotherapy for Autism, this includes:
- Understanding people’s sensory needs.
- Understanding people’s communication needs i.e. using visual schedules or communication devices during therapy.
- Understanding that people think differently
- Understanding that people have different interests and using their passions to support outcomes.
- Understanding the challenges of emotional regulation.