Massage Therapy for Kids with Autism

Data from the U S Centers for Disease Control show diagnosis for Autism:

1980 – 1 in 5000 

2021 – 1 in 44 

If this rate continued, it would mean by 2025 – 1 in 2! 

Boys are 4 times likely to be diagnosed with Autism than girls. 

Many being diagnosed at age 4. 

14 Signs and Symptoms:

1). Disconnection to Others 

2). Apparent Lack of Empathy 

3). Indifferent to Human Interaction 

4). Emotional Outbursts 

5). Delayed Language Development 

6). Prone to Non-Verbal Communication 

7). Difficulty Understanding Figurative Expressions 

8). Repetitive Behaviors 

9). PICA – Tendency to eat objects that are not food 

10). Sensitivity to External Stimuli 

11). Obsessive Behaviors 

12). Lack of Communication 

13). Seemingly Unresponsive 

14). Do Not Like Being Touched or Cuddled 

6 Medical Findings:

1). Present in Brain Scans

2). Genetic Links May Exist 

3). Higher Risk for Premature Babies 

4). The Gastrointestinal Link-Gut Bacteria 

5). The Immunity Dysfunction 

6). Autism Might Not be a DISorder at All-It’s just a different way for the brain to function say  some experts. 

Massage Benefits for the Autistic Child:

Decreases Muscle Tension and Pain – found to be prevalent in the legs and calves

Helps improve sleep

Improves Coordination and Movement 

Calms and Regulates the Nervous System 

Reduces Anxiety 

Improves Behavior  

Improves Speech and Language 

Improves Communication and Sensory Challenges 

Improves Social Interactions 

Improved focus in the classroom 

Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve, having positive effects on other areas of the body. 

Studies show, used as an effective early intervention, Massage can lessen the severity of characteristics by 1/3  in he first 5 months after diagnosis. Autistic children are known to have difficulty receiving and responding to information coming in through the senses. Massage provides proprioceptive input which  can regulate an autistic child’s sensory system. 

What to expect from a Massage Session? 

The Effects and Benefits are extremely individualized which makes each session custom to each  client. Be prepared to discuss as much information about the client as possible. The more informed, the  better the outcome will be. Sessions are lead by the client. Many of the clients live in a world of constant  discomfort, stress and alarm. Giving them control of their session helps them to feel safe and more  capable of building a rapport with the massage therapist. Touch therapy may not be performed on the  client first session but demonstrated on the parent or caregiver so they can observe someone receiving  touch therapy. The client may not always want to receive massage every session which gives us an  opportunity to experiment with sound therapy, art therapy, play therapy, breath therapy, music therapy or dance therapy, following the lead of the client. Sessions can last from 15 minutes to 1 hour,  determined by the client. When combined with traditional treatment, touch therapy has been found to  boost the effects of conventional therapies.  

My Journey

My personal journey into the world of Autism began in 2018 when I received a call from a young  mother of an Autistic daughter. Her daughter had been receiving weekly massage as part of her  treatment and quickly noticed the many benefits her daughter was receiving from this service.  She made it her life’s mission to share with others the benefits of massage for their autistic  loved one. She enrolled immediately in a massage program, licensed with the state and started  her own company in honor of her daughter Angel. She found herself getting very busy quickly  and could not keep up with the workload. She contacted my school for referrals and was given  my contact information as a possible candidate. I had very little experience in working with this  population but eagerly accepted the opportunity to learn from these individuals. It was so much  more than I expected in so many beautiful ways. To observe these clients that were non-verbal  begin trying to communicate during sessions. learning to trust and finding comfort from our  sessions, watching them move more fluidly without having such tight muscles that are common  for autistic individuals and so many, many more benefits. I stepped away but often find myself  thinking about this work.

Recently my 3-year-old grandson is showing signs of being on the  Spectrum. I began working with him on breathing exercises combined with Tai Chi and Qigong  techniques as well as energy techniques to help soothe him when he begins getting frustrated.  He began doing these on his own, tools to self soothe. His daycare recently contacted my  daughter-in-law and informed her that they would not be renewing his contract, finding him too  difficult for them to handle. As I observe my son and daughter-in-law begin their journey down  this difficult maze of testing and services, Ive found myself doing more research and what I am  discovering is astonishing. Like the mother who contacted me in 2018 I am finding the need to honor my grandson and share my experience and services supporting others effected by Autism.

Sue Walker, LMT