Autism spectrum disorder, also referred to as autism or ASD, is a complex developmental disability that affects the brain. Autism can affect how a person communicates, how they learn, how they interact with others and how they process sensory information, and it should come as no surprise that no two cases of autism are exactly the same. That said, a common theme among many people diagnosed with autism is low muscle tone.
There is a high correlation between low muscle tone, also known as hypotonia, and autism. In fact, roughly half of children with autism have low muscle tone. The specific reason for this correlation is unknown, but there appears to be a strong link between these two diagnoses. Because of this, we oftentimes work with children with autism to help develop and improve their muscle tone so that everyday tasks become simpler. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how physical therapy can help children with ASD who are suffering from low muscle tone.
Potential Problems Of Low Muscle Tone
Children with low muscle tone are generally weaker than other children their age. If they are already dealing with some of the social challenges of autism, this physical weakness can feel like another barrier to acceptance. This low muscle tone and lack of muscle contraction may be noticeable from head to toe, including:
- Feet may be overpronated, flat-footed, or the child may walk on their toes.
- Knee/Hip hyperextension.
- Pronounced back arch when walking due to weak core muscles.
- Hypermobility/Flexibility.
This muscle weakness can also lead to joint pain across their body. Muscles and joints help to stabilize crucial skeletal structures and provide support during movement, and pain can occur as a result of instability or lack of structural support. That’s where a physical therapist can prove essential.
Physical Therapy For Low Muscle Tone
If your child is falling behind their classmates or is slow to hit certain physical milestones like walking, running or jumping, consider talking with your pediatrician about whether or not physical therapy may be right for them. That said, you do not need a referral in order to connect with a physical therapist in Minnesota, so you can also head straight to a PT clinic if you’d like.
After talking with the parent or guardian, our team will begin by talking with the child and seeing how they move when asked to perform a few different movement exercises. We understand that conducting a physical assessment on a child with autism is different from how we’d work with a 55-year-old adult after knee replacement surgery, and our staff are specifically trained to encourage participation and work through some expected hesitancy. Your child may take some time to warm up or they may jump right in; either way, we’re here to help them become a stronger and more functional version of themselves!
These individual assessments will provide the foundation for the type of therapy we’ll provide. If foot problems or gait abnormalities are evident, we’ll develop some strength training exercises for the child and talk with the parent about the importance of proper footwear choices and the possibility of assistive orthotic inserts. If core weakness is obvious, core muscle development exercises will be recommended and the importance of healthy posture will be discussed with age-appropriate children or their adults.
We’ll find ways to make these exercises feel like a game or a rewarding activity for your child, and you’ll be happy when you see all the progress your child makes in a short amount of time. Every child is different, but we’re confident that we can find a therapy routine that is fun and rewarding for you and your child.
For more information about addressing low muscle tone in children and teens, regardless of whether or not they have autism spectrum disorder, pick up the phone and connect with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.