April is Autism Awareness month and we wanted to take this opportunity to shine a light on the benefits of physical activity and play for kids on the autism spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social interactions and communication skills impairments that include intellectual disabilities, communication delays and self-injurious behaviors; often are present systemic comorbidities such as gastrointestinal disorders, obesity and cardiovascular disease. (1) We’ll be focusing specifically on gymnastics and martial arts to highlight how these sports can help improve ASD youth’s development outside of the gym. Here are just a few examples of how exercise and physical activity can benefit your kiddo, both physically and developmentally.
We’re all aware of the physical benefits of regular exercise, ranging from maintaining a healthy body mass, cardiovascular health, and improved sleep among many others. ASD kids are no different and the benefits of consistent exercise go well beyond just the physical. Group sports play and activity offers a chance for social interaction and engagement, enabling autistic youths the chance to practice and enhance their social skills in a fun, safe setting. These social skills are imperative for development and will be carried forward into all aspects of a child’s life, setting them up for independent living and navigating this crazy world with confidence.
Both gymnastics and martial arts require spatial awareness as well as fine and gross motor skill development, skill sets that can be difficult for kids with autism to master. Research indicates that martial arts-based interventions can have positive effects on symptoms and function in children and youth with ASD, including improved social interaction, communication skills, self-regulation, memory, postural control, and cognitive function. (2) Martial arts also requires quick thinking and reaction, specifically when sparring with another person. This increases cognitive function and critical thinking, helping to develop and hone these skills over time.
Gymnastics is inherently very structured with clear rules and routines which can be comforting to kids with ASD. Learning and mastering a routine can improve focus and enable autistic youths to apply those skills to their everyday lives. Gymnastics allows kids to move and learn at their own pace, while becoming comfortable exploring new environments, apparatuses, and skill sets. Gymnastics gives children with ASD an opportunity to experience the joys of success through their individual achievements, or from the success of their teammates. Moving therapy to the gym could provide immeasurable opportunities for children with ASD, and promote generalization of learned skills to their natural environment. (3)
So what can parents of a child with ASD do to incorporate physical activity into your child’s routine?
-
Ease into it: Start off with taking short walks or turning commercial breaks into exercise/play time. You don’t want to throw a child with ASD off of their routine so easing into incorporating physical activity into their daily lives is key. Our Z Athletic Cartwheel Mats provide reversible templates for practicing balance and mastering cartwheel technique on a safe, cushioned mat.
-
Try different activities: Encourage your child to be adventurous and to try out different activities. We focused on the benefits of martial arts and gymnastics here, but your kid could benefit from a sport with different equipment like baseball or table tennis. Encourage experimental play while allowing your child to explore at their own pace.
-
Lead by example: Children with ASD tend to be visual learners. So what better way to teach them than to lead by example?! Visual cues and representations of physical activities are key to development in autistic youths and you as their parent are the perfect person to show them how it’s done. Our Folding Gymnastic Mats come in a variety of sizes, providing enough space for you and your child to work out together.
-
And most importantly, have fun!!: Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Making physical exercise feel like a game rather than a chore encourages ASD kids to not only want to engage but also increases the likelihood of regular exercise getting incorporated into their daily routine.
Foscholo, Kara. “Exercises for Kids with Autism.” Active Ability, 21 June 2022,
activeability.com.au/exercise-physiology/exercise-for-kids-with-autism/.
“Martial Arts for Health Benefits in Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.” ResearchGate, 2017, Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
www.researchgate.net/publication/317300531_Martial_arts...
Ranieri, Annaluisa, et al. “Positive Effects of Physical Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder: How Influences Behavior, Metabolic Disorder and Gut Microbiota.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 14, 10 Oct. 2023,
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1238797.
Saunders, Jourdan. “Moving Therapy to the Gym: The Benefits of Gymnastics for Children with Autism.” Leader Live, 6 Sept. 2011,