Gross Motor Activities & Occupational Therapy for Autism

People with autism may not have developed gross motors skills — standing, walking, running — most humans learn as young children, and thus may benefit from gross motor and occupational therapies to help them overcome challenges with body awareness, sensory over-stimulation, muscle weakness, and impaired balance. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, occupational and gross motor therapies can help a person with autism develop basic living skills, as well as skills needed for play, social interaction, and mobility.

Applied Behavior Analysis

• During applied behavior analysis, the therapist pinpoints specific motor skills the patient finds challenging, then encourages learning about those skills through positive reinforcement. A therapist might use applied behavior analysis to encourage a patient to go beyond his comfort zone when performing a physical task, such as walking down steps or throwing a ball. Applied behavior analysis can also be used to teach specific life skills, such as personal grooming and dressing.

Water Therapy

• The American Physical Therapy Association suggests water therapy as one useful tool for overcoming gross motor challenges in patients with autism. Swimming and water play increase strength and stamina, and can encourage patients to partake in group sports activities.

Sensory Integration Therapy

• Some people with autism have difficulty understanding or managing the common sensations of sound, touch, taste, and smell. During sensory integration therapy, the therapist will expose the patient to a sensation in a controlled environment, to encourage an appropriate interpretation and response. Examples include listening and dancing to music, swinging or spinning on a special chair, or sifting beans or sand.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

• Animal-assisted therapies, such as therapeutic horseback riding or swimming with dolphins, can help a patient with autism gain physical strength while encouraging social interaction. Some patients with autism respond well to interaction with animals, and this can be a springboard for communication with people involved in the therapy.