18/11/2025
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*Importance of Physiotherapists in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Physiotherapists are usually never thought as a first line rehab professional when it comes to treating an autism child. Autism kids present with Sensory Processing Disorders and Retained Primitive Reflexes which affects their Motor Development. As a result , Autism kids do have difficulties in gross and fine motor skills which in turn affects their quality of life. A physiotherapist can effectively work on improving core strength, balance and coordination skills, fine motor skills, stretching techniques in those with toe walkers (because of tactile defensiveness) who eventually develop tightness in calf, hams and hip flexors muscles and weakness in hip and core muscles. Some autism kids present with hypotonia and they would require physical therapy for generalised muscle strengthening not only to achieve their motor milestones but also to improve body awareness (proprioception), feeding skills, body posture and alignment which in turn helps with improved attention and focus (executive functions), improved academic skills & improved performance in activities of daily life, thereby improving overall quality of life.
But it's very important to realise that before we start physical therapy with the child, working on the child's sensory profile is a first step and priority for a child to process the information effectively and participate maximally in a physical therapy session. The child who is hyper sensitive to sensory stimuli, has severe tactile defensiveness would never co-operate in physical therapy directly. Doing so would be traumatic to such kids. Hence, it's very crucial to assess and work on a child's sensory profile in order to regulate their dysregulated brain.
Some paediatric physiotherapists are certified in Sensory Integration Therapy, Primitive Reflex Integration Therapy, Brain Gym, Feeding Therapy, Oral Motor and Sensory Interventions, Aquatic Therapy etc and many more advance therapy techniques. and all of those are part of an extensive rehab program any autism kid would require for the optimal development.
Thus, a Physiotherapist is one of the important key member of a rehabilitation team in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder for holistic rehab approach to care.
*By: Dr Charvi Shastri, PT*
*Paediatric Physiotherapist*
