HeartSpacePT

04/27/2026

- Supporting how someone moves through the world — not changing who they are. That's the heart of an NDT approach to autism.

This World Autism Month, save 20% on Treating Movement Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: NDT for ASD. Use code WAM20 at checkout — offer ends April 30.

See REFLECTIONS Link in bio for more info or click here where you can: https://loom.ly/IlovFH4

04/24/2026

Super excited to be in Guelph this weekend teaching Paediatric Pelvic Health: Dynamic Core for Kids Edition Day 2 in-person with ! It's always a great day of learning for hands on assessment and treatment skills. We've also set up opportunities to discuss a wide variety of client cases using case histories and video a**lysis. Global systems for the win!

04/24/2026

Today's article is courtesy of a friend who knows my fondness for research (thanks !) A 2026 systematic review looked at dynamic postural control in autistic children.
Clinical takeaways:
*Autistic children experience reduced dynamic postural control
*The timing of anticipatory postural adjustments is delayed
*Changes in alignment and center of pressure (=COP) result in compensatory movements to maintain balance
*These compensations include increased rigidity of movement and moving their entire body rather than isolating trunk movements
Things I'm still thinking about:
The article discussed the possible impact of differences in sensory processing on postural control in ASD. I wonder if the differences that have been noted in muscle structure and mitochondrial function in some autistic populations also play a role.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41047762

04/20/2026

Here's a study that looked at body awareness and body schema in autistic individuals. Embodied within our body representation are our stability limits - which are crucial to postural control. Differences in body representation will manifest in differences in postural control.

Body representations (BR) are multidimensional constructs encompassing body schema (sensorimotor processes supporting action) and body image (perceptual, affective, and cognitive body experience).

This new systematic review (54 studies; N=2982) indicates a strong research bias toward body schema (81%), particularly interoception, proprioception, and multisensory integration, while body image remains comparatively underinvestigated despite links to body dissatisfaction and identity-related processes.

Across studies, autistic individuals most consistently differed in domains of bodily awareness, motor regulation, emotional processing, and self-referential perception. Methodological limitations, including construct heterogeneity and reliance on self-report, limit comparability.

Overall, more comprehensive, age-appropriate, and varied ways of assessing how autistic people experience their bodies are needed.

https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70254

Follow us to keep up to date on the latest research in Sensory Integration and Neurodiversity.

To learn more about supporting individuals with sensory differences across the lifespan see the link below:
https://www.sensoryintegrationeducation.com/bundles/Sensory-Inclusion-Facilitator-Certificate-B

04/17/2026

A further discussion of early movement differences and the possible impact on learning and cognition. This 2025 article is a gem - it takes that work and applies it to a review of the literature regarding motor development in children with ADHD.
Clinical takeaways:
*Motor difficulties may be more than co-occuring challenges, rather they may be early markets of ADHD
*1/2 of all children with ADHD have significantly more difficulties with motor skills
*10-month old infants at high genetic risk of ADHD are less likely to produce manual behaviours that cross the midline
*Children with ADHD appear to exhibit structural and functional differences in the primary motor cortex and in the cerebellum
*Explanations for motor difficulties (caused by the core symptoms of ADHD or due to co-occurring DCD) are overly simplistic
*The relationship between motor and cognitive differences in ADHD is dynamic and complex
Things I'm still thinking about:
*Crossing midline requires thoracic rotation, and thoracic rotation requires adequate central stability (through the creation of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)) as the base of support = stability of the lumbar spine and pelvis.
*Could therapists positively impact the trajectory for children with ADHD if therapists improved their ability to understand and treat IAP and central stability as part of developmental interventions?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40426354/

04/13/2026

Lots of good info on the feed this week. This 2026 article noted that 80% of adolescents worldwide do not meet the recommendations for physical activity. We know that more sedentary time raises health concerns. The study examined daily movement behaviours at 2.5 years and indicators of active lifestyle at 12 years.
Clinical takeaways:
*Active play, limited screen time and sleep were powerful predictors of activity level at age 12
*Every "good" habit established at 2.5 years added approx. 5 min of outdoor play at 12 years
*At 12 years, only 14.9% of girls were active vs. 24.5% of boys
*Fewer than 10% of toddlers met the WHO movement recommendations
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41949062/

04/11/2026

This 2026 randomized control trial had some really practical outcomes. The authors studied the effect of exercise for children with ADHD. Sessions were 45 minutes, 3x per week for 12 weeks.
Clinical takeaways:
*Aerobic exercise (treadmill training) did reduce inattention
*BUT integrated training (a combination of balance, motor tasks and "stop-go" activities) significantly improved inhibitory control
*The integrated training incorporated reverse commands and multi-step sequences requiring executive functions in real time which led to improvement in immediate working memory
*No adverse effects were reported
The authors suggest "thinking-movement games" could be implemented in schools, clinics and community centres.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41673260/

04/09/2026

With less than two months to go, my excitement is building for Creating Connections: Introduction to NDT and Dynamic Core for Kids in St. John's, Newfoundland. I am looking forward to meeting a new group of dedicated paediatric therapists and to experiencing the wonderful cultural program our hosts at have put together — traditional pubs, music, icebergs, and puffins. Come join us for meaningful learning wrapped in world-famous Newfoundland hospitality. We'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/4siRhZV

03/26/2026

Six years ago, the world went quiet — and in that stillness, I found myself contemplating what I could do with this unexpected gift of time. The answer became Foundation for Function: Understanding Dynamic Systems in Postural Control. That summer, a group of wonderful therapists joined me twice a week for 8 weeks online to work through the curriculum. The bonds we formed in that virtual space have remained. I have complicated feelings about that time but having the space to create this course was a gift. Sometimes I wonder about offering it live again, but for now it remains as an on-demand offering.
https://heartspacept.thinkific.com/courses/foundation-for-function

03/25/2026

This 2025 study investigated postural strategies of children with ADHD in static and dynamic balance activities.
Clinical takeaways:
*There was only a small difference in static balance for children with ADHD when compared to NT children
*There was a greater difference in dynamic balance for children with ADHD
*Children with ADHD display more head/arm/trunk compensations as task difficulty progresses
Particularly interesting was the authors comment regarding previous research - children with ADHD have an increased risk of injury which appears likely due to differences in motor control. (There's also some excellent discussion regarding hip stiffness, dopamine and cerebellar function.)
What I'm still thinking about:
Because children with ADHD are mobile, parents may not be as concerned about motor control. It may be helpful if therapists team up with physical educators and coaches to support development of balance control.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40822294/

03/24/2026

For those of you working with athletes with differences who may need particular parameters from their shoes, here's the Adidas Supernova 3 Adaptive.
https://news.adidas.com/running/adidas-unveils-supernova-rise-3-adaptive--its-first-performance-running-shoe-designed-in-partnership/s/9de639ee-b6c2-4b0b-aa90-6a1e856c5605

03/19/2026

Great to have such an engaged group join and I for Paediatric Pelvic Health: Dynamic Core for Kids Edition (Day 1) last week. We had a discussion about the unfortunate prolonged use of Restoralax for our clients and several participants shared Senna might be an alternative. Here's a 2018 literature review that discusses the use of Senna in children.
Clinical takeaways:
*Senna is safe for children
*The only side effect noted was the rare occurrence of dermatitis, localized to the a**l area and only at higher doses.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29429768/