I want to talk a little bit about the role of exercise and treatment of Autism. Some recent information has come out that discusses how exercise impacts depression. What research seems to be finding is that for individuals who get regular exercise, which means at least 30 minutes per day, 3 to 5 times per week, they had significantly reduced rates of depressive issues, by 45%. And given that in our country we primarily treat depression using ant-depressive medications, this new information is very significant. Just simply getting enough aerobic exercise each week, 30 minutes a day and between 3 and 5 days per week, can reduce depression significantly.

Over the course of treating children in my practice for years, I too have seen the benefits of children with Autism who get regular exercise. They seem to function better, that can mean better behavior, better attention, better focusing, less anxiety, etc. And yet for children, the definition of exercise can be different than that of an adult. Going to a park and letting them run and play on the equipment can be great exercise. They have the opportunity to run, climb and swing. Another wonderful activity for kids is riding their bike. Swimming is also a great activity, as is just about anything that lets them be physically active. I really do encourage parents to let their children get out in the fresh air and natural sun light, especially now that summer is here and the days are getting longer. Let your child explore, play and run if that is something that they seem interested in.

We see more and more children who spend most of their time inside, usually stuck on the computer or stuck on video games or watching movies. And many children with Autism spend many hours a day in therapy sessions. After their therapy sessions they can tend to be anxious, hyper, agitated, and have trouble sleeping. What can make a world of difference is making sure your child also gets some exercise. A nightly walk after dinner can be a great place to start. And remember, it is not all about supplements, it is not just about medications, it is not just about a diet. Sometimes a change in attitude comes from good physical exertion and physical exercise, it can put your child with Autism in a better mental state.