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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

  • I don't have difficulties with walking and balance. I'm not great at things like catching but I don't know whether that's just my natural ability or an issue of coordination related to my autism. 

    My understanding of the balance and walking issues in autism is that it is to do with sensory processing. Proprioception and vestibular are both two of our senses that can be affected. Proprioception relates to our awareness of our body and where it is in relation to the rest of the world. This can be why autistic people often toe walk - it can almost be like an attempt at avoiding the floor or an unawareness of where the floor is compared to their feet. Vestibular is to do with balance and may also play a part in toe walking. Proprioception may also do the opposite and be why some autistic people are very heavy footed and almost seems to slam their foot down with every step. It can also cause things like people walking close to the wall so they are physically touching the boundary to their surroundings. People seeking proprioception make seek heavy items like a backpack or weighted jacket/blanket to feel grounded. Vestibular can also go both ways. It may cause someone to be clumsy and uncoordinated due to a poor sense of balance. Or it may cause people to want to move and crave activities such as rocking, swinging etc.