Aerobic Exercise Program and FASD

http://web.uvic.ca/~fasd/?q=node/25

The Department of Psychology, Department of Exercise Science, Physical Health and Education, and the Division of Medical Sciences at the University of Victoria have teamed up to study the effect of aerobic exercise on cognition, behaviour, and physical markers of brain health in children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 

Exercise, the Brain, and FASD

Evidence from both animal models and human studies indicates that regular cardiovascular exercise can increase the learning and memory capacity of both the developing and the aged brain. Moreover, this increase seems to be related to exercise-induced increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a chemical that helps brain cells thrive and survive. In FASD, BDNF is not as abundant in the brain as it usually is. Children with FASD also tend to have problems with learning and memory. In animal models of FASD, the capacity for improved learning and memory has been increased by having animals engage in regular aerobic exercise. The results are dramatic and are coupled to an increase in BDNF.

The Current Study:  Using Cardiovascular Exercise to Elevate Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Enhance Cognition in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

This study is aimed at examining the impact of an aerobic exercise intervention on learning, memory, mood, behaviour, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and cortisol (a stress hormone) in children with FASD. 

We are looking for children, aged 10-16 years to participate in an engaging, 12-week exercise program (30 minutes per session, 3 times/week), based around fun computer games and stationary bikes.  Check out the bikes/games in action byclicking here!

Participation also involves your child completing a number of physical, cognitive, and psychological tests at three time points.  As a parent/guardian, you would also be asked to fill out some short paper-and-pencil measures about your child’s behaviour and mood. Blood and saliva would also be collected twice (before and after the exercise program).  After each exercise and testing session, your child will get to choose a prize for his or her participation.  We would also provide you with money to cover the costs of parking.  Testing sessions take place over 2 days, lasting about 3 hours each, and are held at the University of Victoria. 

Please sign up on this site if you are interested in finding out more about the study.  You may also contact us by email at jkirwin@uvic.ca or kkerns@uvic.ca.  Your interest and participation are greatly appreciated!

I love someone with autism

Canuck Place Adventure Challenges: I love someone with autism: Dale made a logo.  His whole family (and us) have a shirt (each of us...the whole family (and us) have our OWN shirt).

World Autism Day

Couple of interesting articles in the Vancouver Sun and on Global News on the health of our little ones....

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/children+need+move+lose+with+video/6369197/story.html

http://www.globalnews.ca/new+guidelines+say+kids+under+four+should+move+more+sit+less/6442608686/story.html

What type of exercise is vigorous?

Anything!  Laughing is a vigorous activity.  Chasing a balloon while laughing?  Airplane running, stair climbing, basketball.
Children have a natural tendency to just run.  If you put a class of kindergarten kids in a gym and don't give them any direction they will just run...laugh...scream.  Then there will be a collision between one and a wall, or another kindie and they will cry (this is why kindies NEED direction!).

NN and IN chase balloons.  NN is counting as he plays 'keep up'.  Some running involved but a lot of motor planning and coordination as he times his hits with the balloon.  Thank you Mr. Springsteen for the soundtrack....

The difference a year can make...

Tonight we took our little friends for a walk.
IN is 3 and DN is 5.  IN has autism and DN has Downs Syndrome and autism.

Last January we took them for a very similar walk and it was quite different back then compared with today.  Last year this walk consisted of a whole bunch of cajoling, carrying, and resting.  By the time we got through the 0.9km walk I think 2 hours had passed and the two of them collapsed into a deep sleep (IN was still standing when she fell asleep) within 20 minutes of getting home.

Tonight the walk took maybe 45 minutes, complete with bunny hopping, frog hopping, hiding behind garbage cans, running, and funny monster walking, a visit with a walking dog, and airplane viewing.  After we got home we got drinks, marched up for a bath, read a bed time book and they slept soundly all night.

Exercise has improved these little ones fitness, sleeping habits, and eating habits.  It has been a year and things are NEVER perfect and they still have a long way to go.  I hope to share their stories and those of new clients in this blog.

Here is an article I came across at www.autismspeaks.com that speaks volumes to the benefits of exercise specifically to the relationship between exercise and autism. 

Sports, Exercise, and the Benefits of Physical Activity for Individuals with Autism

Autism is a complex neurobiological, developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood and often lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The hallmark characteristics of autism include an impaired ability to communicate and relate to others socially, a restricted range of activities, and repetitive behaviors such as following very specific routines. While the causes of autism are unknown and preventative measures have yet to be discovered, there does exist effective behavioral therapy that can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism. The most widely used behavioral intervention programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills. However, new research and anecdotal evidence suggest that some alternative therapeutic choices that include sports, exercise, and other physical activities can be a useful adjunct to traditional behavioral interventions, leading to improvement in symptoms, behaviors, and quality of life for individuals with autism.

Physical activity is important for children with and without disabilities alike as it promotes a healthy lifestyle, but can benefit individuals with autism in unique ways. In the U.S., 16% of children ages 2-19 are overweight, whereas the prevalence of overweight among children with ASD is increased to 19% with an additional 36% at risk for being overweight.¹ This means that more than half of all children with ASD are either overweight or at risk. Being overweight can put children at increased risk for numerous health problems, both in childhood and as adults, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, and even depression. The effects of these conditions may take an even greater toll on individuals with autism in combination with common autism symptoms and some highly co-morbid conditions such as gastrointestinal problems as well as depression and anxiety.

It has been suggested that decreased physical activity is the primary reason for the increased rate of overweight in children with autism, while unusual dietary patterns and the use of antipsychotic prescription drugs that can lead weight gain may also contribute.^1,2 Participation in physical activity may be challenging for individuals with autism because of reasons such as limited motor functioning,³ low motivation,⁴ difficulty in planning,⁵ and difficulty in self-monitoring.⁶ Increased auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli may too prove challenging for affected individuals.⁷ Furthermore, physical activity involving social interaction such as team sports can present a difficult situation for someone with autism. However, if implemented appropriately, the addition of physical activity to an autism intervention program can help overcome many of these challenges and improve ones overall quality of life.

It is not surprising to discover that physical activity has been shown to improve fitness levels and general motor function of individuals with autism. A study of a 9-month treadmill walking program on weight reduction in adolescents with severe autism revealed that the program significantly decreased body mass index among the participants. Additionally, as time progressed through the study, the frequency, duration, speed, and elevation of the treadmill walking all increased, indicating a general rise in exercise capacity and physical fitness.⁸ In a study of swimming training and water exercise among children with autism, ten weeks of hydrotherapy which included three, 60-minute sessions per week, resulted in significant increases in fitness levels indicated by changes in balance, speed, agility, strength, flexibility, and endurance.⁹

Research has also demonstrated that increased aerobic exercise can significantly decrease the frequency of negative, self-stimulating behaviors that are common among individuals with autism, while not decreasing other positive behaviors.¹⁰ Behaviors such as body rocking, spinning, head-nodding, hand flapping, object-tapping, and light gazing, that have been shown to interfere with positive social behavior and learning,^11,12,13 can thus be controlled by the use of exercise. Additionally, exercise can discourage aggressive and self-injurious behavior¹⁴ while improving attention span.¹⁵ In this study, aerobic exercise included 20 minutes of mildly strenuous jogging, however the aforementioned swimming and water exercise study also revealed a significant decrease in stereotypical behaviors in children with autism following a 60 minute session in the pool.¹⁶ One theory behind these findings is that the highly structured routines, or repetitive behaviors involved in running or swimming, may be similar to and/or distract from those self-stimulating, repetitive behaviors associated with autism.

Besides improving fitness, motor function, and behavior in individuals with autism, among the most important advantages of physical activity are the social implications of participating in sports and exercise. Physical activity can promote self-esteem, increase general levels of happiness, and can lead to positive social outcomes, all highly beneficial outcomes for individuals with autism.^17,18,19 For those with autism who are able to participate in team sports, this presents an opportunity to develop social relationships among teammates and learn how to recognize the social cues required for successful performance on the field or court. However, individuals that prefer individual sports such as running or swimming that do not rely as heavily on social cues may still benefit from the positive attributes of physical activity while forming social relationships with coaches or trainers. In all cases, participating in sports provides individuals with autism with a role in society that may not have existed otherwise.

While there is evidence to support the role of physical activity in improving autism symptoms, behaviors and life-outcomes, sports and exercise should not replace proven behavioral interventions, but may be effective supplements to these therapies and potentially enhance the benefits. In fact, many of the key components of a successful physical activity program for individuals with autism mirror those that make up some of the most common treatments and behavioral interventions. For instance teaching new skills to children by breaking them down into smaller, organized tasks and then rewarding them for successful achievement is a core component of proven interventions such as ABA and TEACCH.^20,21 This technique can be readily implemented in teaching physical education to children with autism.

There is increasing interest in establishing program guidelines for enhancing physical activity among individuals with autism. A major reason for this is because research suggests that autism prevalence is increasing and has reached an all-time high. This means that there will be an increasing number of children with autism in schools, physical education classes, and on sports teams. While different individuals with autism may face different challenges in participating in physical activity, these children should still be given the opportunity to experience the benefits of physical activity.²² And while the results may vary, based on all the available research and that which has been presented in this paper, the potential behavioral, physiological, emotional, and social benefits of physical activity for individuals with autism are numerous and should be further explored.

Authors: Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Autism Speaks and
Michael Rosanoff, MPH, Assistant Director of Research and Public Health, Autism Speaks

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References:

1 Carol et. al., 2005
2 Towbin, 2006
3 Reid et. al., 2003
4 Koegel et. al, 2001
5 Ozonoff et. al, 1994
6 Hughes et. al. 1994
7 O'Connor et. al., 2000
8 Pitetti, et. al., 2007
9 Yilmaz et. al., 2004
10 Rosenthal-Malek & Mitchell, 1997
11 Bass, 1995
12 Sugai & White, 1986
13 Kern et. al. 1982
14 Morressey, et. al. 1992
15 McGimsey & Favell, 1988
16 Yilmaz, et. al., 2004
17 Pan and Frey, 2006
18 Biddle et. al. 1998
19 Strauss et. al. 2001
20 Exkorn, 2005
21 Schultheis et. al. 2000
22 Todd & Reid, 2006

Exercise for kids is important.  Exercise for kids with special needs especially so.

My goal is to develop a practice that promotes vigorous exercise for kids on the Autism Spectrum and encourages lifelong habits around exercise.

Children who are diagnosed with autism and are receiving behavioural intervention  with applied behavioural analysis (ABA), speech therapy, and whatever else therapy makes for a long and tiring day.  The last thing a parent can say is "go play outside and burn off some energy"  That doesn't always work in the world of autism.

I hope that you will visit this site as I post information about the connection between autism and exercise that I learn.

Visit www.malcolmchrystal.com