The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get 60 minutes of physical activity daily. In this age of remote schooling and an abundance of technology and iPad time, this is far easier said than done. Throw in the challenges of having a diagnosis of autism and it may be even harder to get your little one to move. If your child is attending mostly online or remote school this year, it is even harder for them to get their recommended physical activity in. When they are attending school, there is outdoor recess, gym class, walking to and from classrooms and maybe even walking to school. Many of these events have been put on hold if your child is learning from your home this year.
Physical activity is critical to our kiddos for many reasons. First, exercise helps children maintain a healthy weight and is good for their heart. Additionally, exercise releases hormones that support mental health and even help their bodies fight viruses. Children also need movement to regulate their bodies and emotional states. Some research supports that exercise can reduce stereotypy and increase attention.
So how do we get our children to move more? As specialists in the field of ABA, we recommend looking to reinforcement. What will reinforce your child’s moving and active behaviors? Perhaps making exercise feel more like play is reinforcing enough for your child. But some children are more resistant to getting movement into their routine. So, identify a few things they really like (even if it is the iPad), we can use the iPad and praise to reinforce their exercising behavior. You might even find after repeated exposure, your child starts to find the movement activities fun!
Additionally, you can use visual schedules to help your child preview exercise activities or you can offer them a choice board with some physical games and exercises. By giving your child a choice in the activity, they may be more receptive. Creating a choice board with pictures of games such as hide n seek, monkey in the middle, twister, playground, balloon toss, etc. will narrow down your child’s selection too. Once your child has chosen a game, play the game for a few minutes (you can even use a timer). After the time goes up, reinforce their physical activities with praise, hugs and offer them a break. Over time you can increase the time your child is moving and before you know it, they have been moving for thirty minutes. Often time, games and activities that your child has been hesitant to participate in become reinforcing and preferred activities with this method.
Further, it is so helpful when parents, peers and family members engage in physical activity alongside your child. If it is attention they are seeking, they will be more likely to participate when you are part of the game. If your child loves the iPad, use it to your advantage. Play songs they like, freeze the song and have your child move before playing the song again. Always praise your child for making the effort and moving. There are a lot of great websites that encourage movement. The Super Simple Song Freeze Dance will definitely get your kiddo moving. Cosmic Kids Yoga (Home – Cosmic Kids) provides fun routines and incorporates Star Wars themes, Superhero themes and more. Coach Dave (Coach Dave Show) also offers many videos and tips to help get your child with autism to move.
Remember walking the dog, playing outside, going to the park are also all great ways to get your child moving. Hide favorites toys in the yard and have your child go on a hunt to find them. Fill up balloons with water and get outside. Provide your child a mini trampoline for times when they can get outside. With a little creativity and offering reinforcement, you can get your child to enjoy exercise.