popmom Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Other than telling her to stand up straight every 10 seconds. Is there any other way? I remember reading somewhere that it's not uncommon for kids with Asperger's to have poor posture. It's also not uncommon for kids with Asperger's to react very poorly to being nagged lol. I've considered taking her to an orthopedic doctor for a referral for physical therapy. I know that's a little over the top, but her posture is pretty bad, and it's going to cause her problems as she gets older. I've thought about ballet, but she has zero natural ability. I don't want to put her in a situation where she'll feel embarrassed. She's 11. I don't know of any beginner ballet classes for her age. So far all I do is have her do a doorway stretch occasionally to open up her chest muscles. That's something PT recommended I do for my neck problems. Among other things. Any advice is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 (edited) We put DD into ballet. But she genuinely didn't care that she wasn't good. I will say that I don't think once a week really did a lot. She has low core strength, and focusing on general physical activity, outside time, and she's now doing boxing (that includes an ab workout) with her Dad, have done more for that. I have heard that kinesio taping can be a subtle reminder. There's a specific way to tape for that, but I haven't looked into it further. Edited July 3, 2017 by Tangerine 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Walking with something on your head forces you to use decent posture to keep it up there. Also, since you're focusing on the object, you don't have to think too hard about aligning each muscle. It's just what you do to keep it from falling. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 A chiropractor could help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 You could do a yoga DVD or class together. Yoga is very good for posture and body awareness, which is often also lacking in kids with autism. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Would she enjoy horseback riding? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Would she enjoy horseback riding? She would love it, but I can't afford it. She is on the waiting list for Special Equestrians, but it will be at least a year. I actually never thought about that helping with posture, but it makes sense. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 A chiropractor could help. What could a chiropractor do? You could do a yoga DVD or class together. Yoga is very good for posture and body awareness, which is often also lacking in kids with autism. Love this idea. I think we should definitely try this. These are all great suggestions! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Any dance class--doesn't have to be ballet. Our ballet studio has an Chinese dance class and there is a girl in that class who is on the spectrum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pronghorn Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Our chiropractor came up with exercises for my child to do. He also did adjustments. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MercyA Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 (edited) . Edited July 4, 2017 by MercyA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 Ice skating. My daughter has the most beautiful posture that people frequently comment on. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Anything that helps build core strength can help. You can do a Google search for simple exercises to develop the core. That said, many kids on the spectrum have low muscle tone and that makes literally everything physical harder and more tiring for them than for someone with normal muscle tone. This article is aimed more toward younger kids, but it gives a really good overview of low muscle tone and the challenges that presents. A PT evaluation would definitely be a good idea. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 (edited) I'd look for an activity that she would enjoy that could help build up those core muscles. ETA - I don't think referral for PT is over the top at all. The PT might have some good very specific suggestions. Edited July 4, 2017 by WoolySocks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 I have a shoulder impingement and ended up in physical therapy for it. Turns out improving my posture helps with the shoulder pain- the PT said it's almost always the case with my particular injury. After a dozen sessions I am in less pain and have noticeably better posture. Yes, I do need to continue the exercises, but they are quite manageable. Dh is seeing a chiropractor for a different issue but is doing much the same exercises that I am and they're helping his issue. So...same type of exercises from both a PT and chiropractor. I'd say it's worth a try for your dd. An ongoing activity would be great but I'd start with something dedicated to improving posture before I moved on to an activity. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Exercise that will strengthen her core. Yoga really helps me, but there are others. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Ice skating. My daughter has the most beautiful posture that people frequently comment on. I was going to suggest this, too, as the head needs to come up for balance. Skating really helped me remember to keep my head up and look forward. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 (edited) nm Edited July 11, 2017 by tentwelve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 The number one thing that has helped my posture is yoga. Maybe you could do it together? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 If you can get a PT with experience with autism and retained reflexes, that would be even better. Many kids with autism will turn out to have retained reflexes. It's not something all PTs (or OTs) know, but if you can find one it would be worth it. After she does whatever the PT wants, then you could go into an exercise class together. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue daisy Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 My son hunches over a lot. Our chiropractor suggested having him lay back on a yoga ball to stretch out and open up his back/shoulders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaBearTeacher Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Anat Baniel method is good for posture. Find a practitioner near you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 classicalstretch.com or essentrics.com Classical stretch is slower and calmer They have some examples on youtube. Posture isn't controlled just by the shoulders, so overall stretching and strengthening will re-align the whole torso. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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