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Autistic stereotypes - movement and balance - "ministry of funny walks"!

Phased

I have come across a statement that one of the least considered and therefore addressed correlates with autism is problems with moving in a co-ordinated fashion, issues with balance and perhaps clumsiness.

This stereotype is somewhat played out in the media representation of the character of Astrid in the original version of the eponymous TV series.  The character walks with a somewhat "toe walking" fashion on their right leg...

I can personally remember that my movement skills as a young child didn't seem to quite match up with my peers - in very early gym classes for example.

As I've got older I have spent a lot of time thinking about and working on how to balance and move in a more effective way - I wonder therefore if this "special interest" has come about as a consequence of a perceived need to.

I am at an age when I want to give back and share more about this special interest and am contemplating whether aiming to share it specifically with adult autistic people would be a good and rewarding way to spend my energy and time.

In short, I wonder please if you good people reading this might like to discuss your autistic experiences on the topic of movement, balance, clumsiness and difficulty walking etc.?

Maybe some of you reading this are on the contrary especially gifted in this area and it is after all a stereotype that is made of autistic people?

Best Wishes

Parents

  • Thank you for the responses everyone :-)

    There seems to be a predominant response of movement, co-ordination and balance issues reported.

    There is also some indication that there is a desire for improving capability in the areas with a further subset of those having mastery by training.

    Either those who don't have problems in this area aren't interested in responding or the limited sample size doesn't give enough evidence.

    Anyway, I'm taking this as some evidence to support movement, balance and co-ordination work being potentially useful for adult autistic people.

    I'll carry on with that thought.

    All the best :-)

  • in reply to Phased

    Oh so I'm more middling, not awful but not amazing -I have a longer stride perhaps. 

    But my son who we think is ND has amazing coordination, but has a terrible run. It's been a bit of a mismatch, amazing at returning a tennis ball but can't run for it. Poor child was last in sports day measurably, even then the L3 autistic child with other physically disabilities.  But we have just discovered he has hyper mobility -he was doing archery and his elbows bend way past the average. 

    This got me thinking that maybe his awkward run is linked to this -as his knees seem to a little bent inwards when he jogs, and this condition is very common for autistics. Might be worth looking into too! He is super fast at swimming, which makes sense as it's less about pushing on your joints.

    I should add there dad (NT) is very good at sports, my daughter seems to be very good but it's more the social aspect that stops her doing sport.

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  • in reply to Phased

    Oh so I'm more middling, not awful but not amazing -I have a longer stride perhaps. 

    But my son who we think is ND has amazing coordination, but has a terrible run. It's been a bit of a mismatch, amazing at returning a tennis ball but can't run for it. Poor child was last in sports day measurably, even then the L3 autistic child with other physically disabilities.  But we have just discovered he has hyper mobility -he was doing archery and his elbows bend way past the average. 

    This got me thinking that maybe his awkward run is linked to this -as his knees seem to a little bent inwards when he jogs, and this condition is very common for autistics. Might be worth looking into too! He is super fast at swimming, which makes sense as it's less about pushing on your joints.

    I should add there dad (NT) is very good at sports, my daughter seems to be very good but it's more the social aspect that stops her doing sport.

Children
  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

      

    I think that you clearly make a point that we are all individuals!

    hyper-mobility is a tricky one...  hyper mobility combined with excellent strength, control and endurance can confer extraordinary ability - gymnasts, climbers, dancers et al...  

    I suspect that the issue may be one of balance and control myself although it is said that as we grow stronger through childhood such issues can correct themselves. 

    I am glad that your son gets to excel through his swimming.  :-)

    I am of the opinion that physical movement capability is worth working on at any age and might go "under the radar" as other things take higher priority.

    Hehe the older I get tho' the more I value being able to walk up and down hills and do things like gardening or DIY.  But also simply being able to move and turn and look and reach about.  To simply be able to sit comfortably is really important :-)

    Movement is also about self expression.  Sometimes being autistic can come with a bit of a sense of oppression in neuro-typical society.  Moving freely and expressively( including expressing emotion in movement) is one of the ways to perhaps over-come that sense?.

    As you highlight the social aspect is key i suspect - especially in team sports - maybe your daughter could try more solo or "parallel" pursuits.  An autistic chum of mine has found huge satisfaction and capability improvements from "bouldering" - a type of climbing which is both a physical and a mental challenge.  There is also a good camaraderie in it I understand, as the climbers are keen to help one another work out how to achieve the climb.

    All the best :-)