Autistic children often suffer from built-up stress and anxiety. Therefore, some of them jump up and down to get rid of that tension. But think about whether they start jumping in a room full of furniture or on the street. Would it not be injurious? Of course, it will be!
Here comes the trampoline, which has long been a staple of childhood play. Trampolining is not only a fun and energetic activity but also offers various potential health benefits to kids, particularly those on the autism spectrum.
If you don't know what health benefits trampolining can bring, read this article and see how this fun activity can improve your children’s health and overall well-being!
Understanding Autism and Challenges Faced by Autistic Children
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a group of different disorders characterized by difficulty in communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. The characteristics of autism can be diagnosed in early childhood or may not be recognized much later.
Autism affects people to different degrees in different ways. Likewise, the needs and abilities of autistic kids can evolve and vary over time. For example, some can live independently, while others can have disabilities and can require continuous support and care.
Daily life for the autistic child can be challenging as the world has not been made to fulfill their needs. The simpler things like bright lights, crowds, and loud noises can be distressing and overwhelming for such kids. The social interactions don't come naturally and can lead to feelings of anxiety and isolation.
Not only that, autistic children also suffer from sensory processing issues, which means they are either over or under-sensitive to certain sounds, smells, movements, touches, and lights. Resultantly, all of this makes the normal activities exhausting and challenging for the kids!
What Is Trampoline Therapy?
The trampoline therapy is a type of rebound therapy in which kids with special needs are placed safely and allowed to bounce on a trampoline freely. The activity should be performed under the therapist's guidance for the kid's safety.
The therapy combines the health benefits of sensory integration with entertainment and fun. Therefore, it has become an effective and popular tool that helps thousands of autistic kids. This therapy is also used with other therapeutic programs to maximize the results.
How Do Trampolines Benefit Children with Autism?
Let's take a detailed look at the health benefits of trampolines and understand the importance of trampoline therapy in a better way:
1. Emotional Regulation
Autistic kids experience more extreme emotional dysregulation as compared to others. Whether it's a bad day at school, sensory overload, or a long day at school, children with autism can be triggered by certain situations, which can lead to burnout and meltdowns.
So, to overcome stress and emotional regulation, people with autism often practice repetitive actions such as tapping on the surface, fluffing their hands, or swaying forward and backward.
If not that, autistic kids can overcome emotional dysregulation by simply jumping on a trampoline. Though it is a simple activity, trampolines help with stimming and self-regulation in a supportive and fun environment.
2. Supports Educational Skill
Trampoline not only contributes to kids' physical development but is also a useful platform on which they can learn a lot. In the traditional learning environment, autistic kids struggle to learn and absorb information. Trampoline activity is a fun alternative to boring classroom settings, where you can easily educate autistic kids.
So, from hundreds of trampoline games, you can pick anyone and use them to teach your kids basic math or spelling. You will find it much more stimulating and easier for the autistic child to answer your questions while jumping on the trampoline than sitting in the classroom.
3. Sensory System Improvement
In addition to the five common senses (sight, taste, smell, hearing, and touch), there are three other key sensory systems (proprioceptive, vestibular, and interception systems). The vestibular system is related to balance and head movement, and the proprioceptive system is related to body awareness. Both of these systems are developed by trampoline jumping.
As autistic kids struggle to process sensations, trampoline jumping helps them process sensory information better. Besides that, the bouncing activity also improves their overall proprioceptive and vestibular input.
4. Social and Communication Skills
Though autistic kids find it difficult to interact with other kids, especially during their regular activities or outdoor games, the same is not true for trampoline activities. The activity provides a relaxed ambiance and an ideal opportunity for the kids to make new friends.
While jumping, the kids can easily start conversations with others, exchange smiles, make eye contact, and learn new ways to communicate while enjoying the game and having fun with new friends. Remember that it all starts with five to ten minutes of small sessions. But here, you will have to appreciate your kids.
5. Motor Skill Development
In trampoline therapy, the kids can jump up to 12 feet, improving their balance and coordination. The trampoline's bouncing and unstable surface teaches the kids how to stay upright and balance their bodies, enhancing their confidence in everyday motions and physical activities.
With practice, kids can also learn how to jump and change their direction or position on the trampoline. These skills improve their posture, stability, and coordination on the ground.
6. Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence
When children with special needs learn new skills on a trampoline, it promotes self-esteem and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Their simple moves, like bounces and knee drops, become more coordinated with time.
Once they master the simple tricks, the autistic kids start trying new and advanced skills. It provides positive reinforcement for their achievements. Over time, as they learn more skills and the duration of trampoline activity increases, the sleep, mood, and appetite of autistic kids start getting better.
7. Muscle Strengthening
Bouncing or trampoline activities help develop larger muscles in children with autism. Their leg muscles strengthen when the kids jump higher, do knee drops, or tuck jumps. Plus, their muscles also become more responsive.
Following trampoline therapy regularly can also increase bone density. Plus, it is an excellent exercise for core muscles, which ultimately helps stabilize the body during jumping.
Stronger muscles and better motor skills help autistic kids climb stairs, ride bikes, and play other games. It improves their performance, body posture, balance, and coordination.
8. Release of Hormones
Trampoline therapy stimulates the production of various mood hormones (adrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins) in autistic kids. The mood of your kid depends on the blend of these hormones.
These mood hormones can relieve stress and create a sense of happiness, purpose, and belonging. So, by lifting the mood of autistic kids, trampolines can inspire them to perform better in and out of their classrooms.
Which Are the Best Trampolines for Autism?
If you are looking for a trampoline for your kid, here are some ideas for you:
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Small Trampoline with Net: Small trampolines with nets can be used outdoors. More kids can use them simultaneously. However, in bad weather, you may not find them suitable. Also, they are difficult to store.
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Mini Trampoline with Railing: These trampolines have railings and are safe to use. Only one kid at a time can use the mini trampoline, which can be used indoors or outdoors. Another plus is that these trampolines are easier to store.
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Trampoline with Parks: Here, you can find multiple options in one place and choose the one that suits your preferences. However, it can be an expensive option if you pay for multiple people.
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Space Hopper: It is a budget-friendly option. The other advantage is that the space hopper is easier to fill and store. It is better to use outdoors and allow one kid at a time.
Trampoline Use with Autistic Children: Tips for Parents
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Safety: Remember that safety always comes first. So, before getting your autistic kids involved in the trampoline activity, always ensure that protective padding covers the frame and springs. Remember to use the safety harness when the kid is learning it for the first time.
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Supervision and Individualized Approach: Supervise your kid all the time. While watching over them, you can also ensure they follow the safety rules. Plus, limit one kid on the trampoline until kids learn the basic skills.
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Keep the Sessions Short: Always start with small sessions (5 to 10 minutes), as smaller sessions keep the kids busy and engaged so they will not become overstimulated.
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Structured Play: You can also follow a clear structure during each session. For instance, do simple bounces for the first five minutes, play catch with therapy for the other five minutes, and end the session with stretches. Finishing the session on a higher note when your kid wants more is good.
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Communication: When the kid is busy in trampoline play, establish clear communication with your kid. For instance, you canteach and explain the safety rules to your kids so they can understand easily.
Conclusion
Trampoline therapy for ASD (autism spectrum disorder) brings countless benefits, both in mental and physical development. For example, it can help autistic kids improve their motor, educational, communication, and sensory skills.
The therapy helps the kids cope with stress, strengthens their muscles, boosts their confidence, and releases hormones. Above all, it is safe, and kids also enjoy its repetitiveness. So what do you need more?
