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.