Physical Activity and Autism

Taken from SHEILA SWANN-GUERRERO's  Master of Science in Disability and Human Development thesis in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Chicago, 2012

Physical Activity and Autism

Physical activity can positively impact fitness and the characteristics and associated conditions of autism (Levison & Reid, 1993). Studies on cardiovascular exercise and autism have found that participation in vigorous physical activity in combination with behavior therapy can be helpful in reducing inappropriate behaviors in children with autism (Lavay, French, & Henderson, 1997).  Being physically active not only provides health benefits for individuals with autism, it may also help with reducing problematic behaviors, increasing desired behaviors, attention, productivity, fitness levels, muscle strength and endurance, promoting healthy weight loss and improving social skills for positive peer relationships (Pan & Frey, 2006; Sherrill, 1998).

Retrieved from http://indigo.uic.edu/bitstream/handle/10027/9699/swann-guerrero_sheila.pdf?sequence=1 February 26, 2012