Autism awareness program with recent advances in Physiotherapy rehabiltation alo ng with out line of course,causes,risk factors,clinical features,physiotherapy Rehabilitation

1. UNDERSTANDING AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER (ASD) FOR PHYSIOTHERAPY
STUDENTS
BY
Dr SAI PRIYANKA NERUSU (PT)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SIMS COLLEGE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY

2. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER (ASD)
• Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized
by difficulties with social interaction, communication,
and restricted/repetitive behaviors.
• It is a "spectrum" disorder, meaning symptoms and
severity vary widely among individuals.
• Typically appears in the first 3 years of life and affects
how a person perceives and interacts with the world.

3. CLINICAL FEATURES OF AUTISM
Social Communication Difficulties:
• Limited eye contact
• Delayed speech or nonverbal
• Difficulty understanding emotions and
social cues

4. CLINICAL FEATURES OF AUTISM
Repetitive Behaviors and Restricted Interests:
• Repetitive movements (hand-flapping, rocking)
• Intense focus on specific topics or objects

5. CLINICAL FEATURES OF AUTISM
Sensory Processing
Issues:
• Hypersensitivity or
hyposensitivity to
sound, touch, lights

6. CLINICAL FEATURES OF AUTISM
Motor and Postural Delays:
• Poor coordination and balance
• Delayed motor milestones

7. DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM
• No single test; diagnosis is clinical, based on observation and
standardized tools:
• Multidisciplinary evaluation: pediatrician, psychologist, speech therapist,
occupational/physiotherapist

8. RISK FACTORS FOR AUTISM
• Genetic Factors: Family history, certain gene mutations
• Prenatal and Perinatal Factors:
Advanced parental age
Low birth weight
Complications during birth
• Environmental Factors:
Exposure to pollutants, infections during pregnancy

9. ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN AUTISM
• Addresses motor, sensory, and functional difficulties
• Goals:
- Improve gross and fine motor skills
- Enhance posture, balance, and coordination
- Support sensory integration

10. PHYSIOTHERAPY INTERVENTIONS
1. Motor Skill Training:
- Obstacle courses, ball games, hopping/jumping
2. Balance and Coordination:
- Balance boards, Bosu balls, beam walking
3. Sensory Integration Activities:
- Swing therapy, weighted vests, deep pressure
4. Aquatic Therapy:
- Water play, resistance walking, floatation for sensory comfort
5. Yoga and Relaxation:
- Simple, repetitive postures with visual aids

11. Motor Skill Training Programs
- Example: "SPARK" (Sports, Play, and
Active Recreation for Kids)
- Evidence: Improves locomotor and object
control skills.
- Activities Include: Jumping, hopping, ball
throwing/catching, obstacle courses.
- *Reference:* Pan CY. *Effects of water
exercise swimming program on aquatic
skills and social behaviors in children with
autism.* Autism. 2010.

12. SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY (SIT)
- Focus: Helps children process and respond
to sensory input more effectively.
- Activities Include: Swinging, brushing,
weighted vests, balance beams.
- Physiotherapy Role: Integrating vestibular
and proprioceptive inputs.
- *Reference:* Schaaf RC, Nightlinger KM.
*Occupational therapy using a sensory
integrative approach: A case study of
effectiveness.* AJOT. 2007.

13. BALANCE AND COORDINATION
TRAINING
- Tools Used: Bosu balls, balance boards, foam
pads.
- Goal: Improve postural control and body
awareness.
- *Evidence:* Children with ASD show poor
balance; training improves functional
independence.
- *Reference:* Minshew NJ, Sung K. *Neurologic
aspects of autism.* Curr Opin Neurol. 2007.

14. AQUATIC THERAPY (HYDROTHERAPY)
- Why it Works: Water provides resistance,
support, and sensory regulation.
- Outcomes: Improved motor coordination,
muscle tone, social skills.
- Activities: Kicking, splashing, floating,
following commands in water.
- *Reference:* Yilmaz I, et al. *Effects of
swimming training on physical fitness and
water orientation in autistic children.*
Autism. 2004.

15. ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY (E.G.,
HORSEBACK RIDING)
- Also Known As: Hippotherapy.
- Benefits: Enhances posture,
balance, sensory processing, and
emotional bonding.
- *Reference:* Bass MM,
Duchowny CA, Llabre MM. *The
effect of therapeutic horseback
riding on social functioning in
children with autism.* J Autism
Dev Disord. 2009.

16. TASK-ORIENTED AND FUNCTIONAL
MOVEMENT TRAINING
- Method: Breaking down activities of daily living
(ADLs) into steps.
- Goal: Encourage independence in movement-
related daily tasks.
- Example Activities: Climbing stairs, dressing,
squatting, and reaching.
- *Reference:* Fournier KA, et al. *Motor
coordination in autism spectrum disorders: A
synthesis and meta-analysis.* J Autism Dev Disord.
2010.