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

Green Exercise - Not a New Idea

Green Spaces, Mental Health and Wellbeing 

"Almost one in six people in the UK will suffer from mental ill-health in their lifetime.  Mental ill-health can lead to and maintain health and social inequalities. It accounts for almost 20% of the burden of disease in Europe.  Poor mental health also costs the economy an estimated £26.1 billion a year, because of the thousands of people unable to work due to their mental illness.  Since the 18th Century, we have been promoting good quality natural environments as an important determinant of health.

David Hume lobbied Edinburgh council in 1724 to build a path up Calton Hill, ‘for the health and amusement of the inhabitants’, and you can still walk up Hume Walk today. The workers’ village
of Saltaire, Yorkshire, built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt, included green spaces such as a park and allotments for the health and wellbeing of his mill’s employees. Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City movement was borne out of a desire to create “a healthy, natural, and economic combination of town and country life”.


But, over the last 20 years, fewer people have been visiting the countryside and urban green spaces such as parks and allotments......"

READ MORE:

http://www.fph.org.uk/uploads/bs_great_outdoors.pdf

Green Exercise

Benefits of Outdoor Exercise Confirmed

Feb. 5, 2011 — A systematic review carried out by a team at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry has analysed existing studies and concluded that there are benefits to mental and physical well-being from taking exercise in the natural environment. Their findings are published in the research journal Environmental Science and Technology on February 4th 2011.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110204130607.htm

Autism Anxiety Amygdala Exercise

I was thinking about why I promote exercise for children with autism and enjoy finding connections between things that help me say what I need to say!

Here is some information on the connection between autism and anxiety:

ABSTRACT:

• High-functioning children with autism were compared with two control groups on measures of anxiety and social worries.  Comparison control groups consisted of children with specific language impairment (SLI) and normally developing children. Each group consisted of 15 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years and were matched for age and gender. Children with autism were found to be most anxious on both measures. High anxiety subscale scores for the autism group were separation anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These findings are discussed within the context of theories of autism and anxiety in the general population of children. Suggestions for future research are made.

Gillott, A; Furniss, F; Walter, A (2001).  Anxiety in High-Functioning Children with Autism, Autism : the international journal of research and practice, ISSN 1362-3613, 09/2001, Volume 5,Issue 3, pp. 277 - 286

Here is another about the relationship between exercise and anxiety:

•  Aerobic exercise appears to have significant therapeutic benefits in the treatment of anxiety and depression.  This effect has been demonstrated in animal models as well as in humans.  However, there has been limited study of the potential brain mechanisms that produce an anti-anxiety or an anti-depressant effect.

http://brainposts.blogspot.ca/2012/12/exercise-and-brain-anxiety-related.html

This is only one of many of the benefits of vigorous exercise for children with autism.

Biophilia

I heard on the radio the other day about biophilia on a radio short on The Peak.  It made sense to me immediately.  It has been published that exercise in nature, versus exercise in the confines of the city, is far more advantageous.

Be outside.

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/connecting-youth-with-nature/

Biophilia

Being Outside

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).