Massage therapy is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that involves the manipulation of soft tissues in the body, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It is often used to promote relaxation and reduce stress, but it has also been shown to have potential benefits for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Children with ASD often have difficulty with sensory processing, which can make them feel overwhelmed by touch and other sensations. Massage therapy can help to desensitize the nervous system and improve sensory processing by providing a safe and predictable form of touch.
Massage therapy can also help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which can be particularly beneficial for children with ASD who often experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that massage therapy can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, improve sleep quality, and increase overall feelings of well-being in children with ASD.
There are several different types of massage therapy that may be used for children with ASD, including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release. The type of massage therapy that is used will depend on the child's individual needs and preferences.
Massage therapy is generally considered to be safe for children with ASD, but it is important to work with a qualified massage therapist who has experience working with children with special needs. The massage therapist should be able to tailor the massage to the child's specific needs and preferences, and should be able to modify the massage as needed to ensure the child's comfort and safety.
Overall, massage therapy can be a safe and effective complementary therapy for children with ASD. It can help to reduce anxiety, improve sensory processing, and promote overall feelings of relaxation and well-being.
“There are eight sensory systems in your body that are supposed to take in stimulation around you, integrate that information so your body can respond appropriately and help you feel safe in the world around you,” explains Tami Goldstein, certified craniosacral therapist and autism advocate and educator.
Autistic Clients and the Value of Touch Therapy
The nervous system is formed from the same layer of embryonic tissue as skin. As such, excessive sensitivity to light touch is one of the most common symptoms of nervous system immaturity. The self-affliction of vigorous physical stimuli (such as striking one’s head against a wall) while avoiding tactile interactions with others (a light touch may cause the child to scream in pain) is typical of autism. Since light touch is over-stimulating to those with autism, deeper massage techniques and joint compression are better tolerated. Utilizing methods of sustained moderate pressure such as Swedish Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy, can help dampen the nervous system’s over-reactivity.
Massage efficacy in the treatment of autistic children
The purpose of this study was to present selected forms of massage as supportive methods with respect to a comprehensive program of rehabilitation of autistic children, particularly alleviating the symptoms of this syndrome. Massage forms were selected that show high effectiveness in relieving autism symptoms. Our work is a narrative review based on a search of the world’s scientific literature. Because of a low number of publications found in databases the authors have decided not to perform a formal systematic review.
Autism and Treatment With Therapeutic Massage
"Theoretically, when the tactile system is immature and working improperly, abnormal neural signals are sent to the cortex in the brain which can interfere with other brain processes. This type of over-stimulation in the brain can make it difficult for an individual to organize one's behavior and concentrate and may lead to a negative emotional response to touch sensations."1
It is the lighter touch that is over-stimulating to these individuals; therefore, deeper massage techniques, as well as joint compression, are in order. Symptoms include poor language skills, distractibility, hyperactivity, and the inability to accept changes in their environment, which may result in frustration, aggression, or complete withdrawal.
I have been working with children (some are now adults) with autism and other developmental disabilities for over 33 years - the last 11 years in my capacity as a massage therapist. In my practice, I have treated and continue to treat several clients who have been diagnosed with autism, or have the dual diagnoses of autism/mental retardation. If there were one word to describe the best approach to treatment for massage therapists who wish to work with someone with autism, it would be patience. You can't expect that things will change overnight, but in time, changes and improvements in a person's quality of life and activities of daily living can be assisted through massage therapy.
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