Dr. Eboni Green
August 18, 2021
Traditional team sports like football or soccer can have a high barrier of entry for children with autism. The subtle verbal cues and intense physical interactions with other players make the sports challenging or sometimes nearly impossible for those on the spectrum. However, that doesn’t mean your child can’t be involved in sports. Finding the right support for your child with autism can mean the difference between their wanting to be involved in athletics or not.
Running might not be the right fit for children with more advanced coordination challenges. They may struggle with a running sport, but for those who are able, the skills and lessons learned through the sport are well suited for those on the spectrum. Running is about pushing your own personal limits; you are your main competitor. Therefore, kids don’t have to feel discouraged by others who might be doing better than them. Instead, they focus on personal growth and improvement.
As one of the most recommended sports for children on the spectrum, martial arts—in all its various forms—teaches discipline and repetition. The physical demands are great for staying healthy, but what really makes martial arts unique is the emphasis on mental strength.
If you’re worried about the idea of your child having physical contact with others, don’t be; that is typically only reserved for advanced students. So, your child can move through the sport at their own pace, and they will have the opportunity to push themselves if they’re comfortable.
The loud noises of a bowling alley might be disruptive for some children on the spectrum, but many have found the act of rolling the ball and knocking down the pins to be very satisfying. Bowling also teaches patience, as you must wait your turn. Also, bowlers compete individually, even if on a team, so your child doesn’t have to be reliant upon others to succeed.
For starters, learning how to be a good swimmer is a skill your child will use for the rest of their life. When you account for the improvements in coordination and balance, it is easy to see why swimming is such an excellent fit for children with autism. Swimming is a therapeutic sport, and spending that time in the water alone creates a very calm environment for the child, which will hopefully give them the best opportunity to succeed.
Horses are already used for therapy with children on the spectrum; it is called hippotherapy. There are horseback riding instructors specifically trained to teach those with autism, which makes the barrier for entry not as wide as other sports. The main concern with horseback riding is the price. It isn’t a cheap sport, so it might not be accessible for some families, but if your child is seriously interested, try reaching out to a local organization that uses hippotherapy to see if there are any grants or free lessons available.
There are many ways to help your child with autism thrive, but many parents have turned to athletics. Finding the right sports for your child with autism might seem daunting, but if you listen to them and work to find the right fit, hopefully, your kid will be happy and active in no time.
