At Charvik Special School, our Physiotherapy program is dedicated to helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop physical strength, coordination, and mobility. Many children with autism experience difficulties with motor skills, posture, balance, and muscle tone. Our physiotherapy services are designed to address these challenges, promoting physical well-being and independence in daily activities.

What is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a therapeutic approach focused on improving physical function, movement, and mobility through exercises, manual therapy, and other treatments. For children with autism, physiotherapy targets both gross and fine motor skills, helping them improve their physical abilities and overcome challenges that may affect their daily lives.

At Charvik Special School, our physiotherapists are highly trained in working with children with developmental delays, motor impairments, and sensory processing issues. We tailor each physiotherapy program to the child’s specific needs, ensuring that they can reach their full physical potential in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Key Areas Addressed in Physiotherapy:

1. Gross Motor Development:

   • Gross motor skills involve large muscle movements such as walking, running, jumping, climbing, and balancing. Many children with autism have delays in gross motor development, affecting their ability to move smoothly and confidently.

   • Our physiotherapy program focuses on improving strength, coordination, and balance, using exercises and activities that engage the child’s whole body. This includes activities like obstacle courses, balance exercises, and stretching routines.

2. Posture and Alignment:

   • Poor posture and alignment are common in children with autism, which can lead to discomfort or difficulty performing tasks such as sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods.

   • Our physiotherapists work on correcting postural issues through exercises that strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and promote proper body alignment. This helps children maintain a healthy posture in both seated and standing positions.

3. Balance and Coordination:

   • Many children with autism struggle with coordination, making tasks such as riding a bike, catching a ball, or navigating stairs challenging. Physiotherapy helps improve these skills through balance training and coordination exercises.

   • Activities such as walking on balance beams, hopping, and jumping exercises are used to help children gain confidence in their movement and improve overall motor coordination.

4. Muscle Tone and Strength:

   • Children with autism may have differences in muscle tone, which can result in either low muscle tone (hypotonia) or high muscle tone (hypertonia). These conditions can affect strength, endurance, and movement quality.

   • Physiotherapy uses targeted exercises to strengthen weak muscles or reduce tension in tight muscles, helping children move more freely and efficiently.

5. Motor Planning and Movement Patterns:

   • Motor planning involves the ability to conceive, plan, and execute movements. Children with autism may find it challenging to perform complex movements or sequences of actions.

   • Our physiotherapists help children develop better motor planning skills through step-by-step instruction, repetition, and structured exercises that encourage them to practice and improve their movement patterns.

6. Endurance and Physical Fitness:

   • Building physical endurance is essential for children to engage in longer periods of play, school activities, or community involvement. Many children with autism may tire easily or avoid physical activities due to poor endurance.

   • Our physiotherapy program incorporates cardiovascular exercises, such as running, jumping, and cycling, to improve overall stamina and physical fitness.

7. Mobility and Gait Training:

   • Some children with autism have difficulties with walking patterns or may develop unusual gaits. Our physiotherapists work on improving gait mechanics, ensuring that children walk with stability and proper movement.

   • Gait training includes exercises that focus on leg strength, foot positioning, and overall body posture during walking.

Techniques and Tools Used in Physiotherapy:

1. Stretching and Strengthening Exercises:

   • Stretching exercises are used to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tightness, while strengthening exercises target specific muscle groups to improve stability and power. These exercises are often performed through playful and engaging activities that keep children motivated.

2. Balance and Stability Equipment:

   • We use specialized equipment such as balance boards, therapy balls, balance beams, and trampolines to work on improving balance, coordination, and core strength.

3. Sensory-Based Physical Activities:

   • Many children with autism benefit from sensory input during physical activities. We incorporate sensory integration techniques into physiotherapy sessions to help children who may be sensitive to movement, touch, or body awareness. This includes using swings, sensory paths, or tactile surfaces to engage their sensory systems.

4. Strengthening Tools:

   • We use tools like resistance bands, light weights, and climbing equipment to help children improve their muscle strength and endurance in a safe, controlled manner.

5. Hydrotherapy (Water-Based Therapy):

   • Hydrotherapy is sometimes incorporated into physiotherapy programs for children with ASD. Water-based therapy can provide a fun and soothing environment where children can work on strength, coordination, and range of motion while experiencing less impact on their joints.

Benefits of Physiotherapy:

• Improved Mobility and Independence: Physiotherapy helps children with autism improve their movement and coordination, enabling them to engage more fully in daily activities at school, home, and in the community.

• Enhanced Physical Fitness: As children strengthen their muscles and improve their endurance, they become more capable of participating in physical activities, leading to better overall health.

• Better Posture and Alignment: Physiotherapy helps correct postural issues and alignment problems, reducing discomfort and promoting better physical functioning.

• Increased Confidence and Participation: By mastering new physical skills, children gain confidence in their abilities, which encourages them to participate in group activities, play sports, or take on new challenges.

• Reduced Sensory Sensitivities: By integrating sensory-based exercises into physiotherapy, children can improve their ability to tolerate different sensory experiences, leading to better emotional regulation and behavior management.

Why Choose Charvik for Physiotherapy?

At Charvik Special School, our physiotherapy program is designed with the specific needs of children with autism in mind. We create a personalized plan for each child, taking into account their strengths, challenges, and sensory preferences. Our therapists are highly skilled in working with children who have motor delays or difficulties, and we provide a safe, supportive, and fun environment where children can improve their physical skills.

We work closely with families to ensure that the exercises and skills learned during therapy sessions are carried over into the child’s daily life, promoting lasting improvements in mobility and physical well-being.

Physiotherapy