Looking for exercise suggestions for my son (6)

vauraine

Hi All,

I was hoping some people could help me out. My son has recently been diagnosed with hypermobile joints and low muscle tone. He is being referred for physio, but with the HSE waiting lists, I wanted to try help him myself. But I'm struggling to come up with ideas...

Just some more info, he's on the autistic spectrum and has dyspraxia, so poor balance, coordination and hates social groups. He's aware that he falls behind his peers so ends up hating any class I bring him to. He walks to and from school most days, but that's really the extent of his exercise. We don't even have a garden that he can run around in.

Besides the walking, I take him swimming which he loves, but our nearest pool is too far away to do it regularly. I'm really just looking for inspiration here as to what can improve his muscle strength and agility, without putting him in groups. TIA

Atlantic Dawn

Exercise bike might be an idea, not weather dependent.

cmyk

I don't have much experience training kids but my advice is to try to build in some games that might help develop different physical attributes.

At 6yo I'd put an emphasis on it being fun and creative, stuff like maybe creating obstacle courses, ball and balance games to help him develop co-ordination? I'm actually sure there's a site dedicated to developmental games for autistic children too, i'll try to dig it out.

I'm a bit behind on technology but I had a nintendo wii a few years ago and some of those games are at least a little more physical than regular computer games too, I'd imagine that's come on leaps and bounds since I had it.

Keane2baMused

vauraine wrote: »

Hi All,

I was hoping some people could help me out. My son has recently been diagnosed with hypermobile joints and low muscle tone. He is being referred for physio, but with the HSE waiting lists, I wanted to try help him myself. But I'm struggling to come up with ideas...

Just some more info, he's on the autistic spectrum and has dyspraxia, so poor balance, coordination and hates social groups. He's aware that he falls behind his peers so ends up hating any class I bring him to. He walks to and from school most days, but that's really the extent of his exercise. We don't even have a garden that he can run around in.

Besides the walking, I take him swimming which he loves, but our nearest pool is too far away to do it regularly. I'm really just looking for inspiration here as to what can improve his muscle strength and agility, without putting him in groups. TIA

My son also has autism and he absolutely adores trampolining. I'm not sure if you're dublin based but jumpzone in sandyford does asd specific sessions on a Sunday morning. Its wonderful for the kids and they can jump away to their hearts content. If he wishes to interact with others he can, if not thats fine too, they're all in the same boat Failing that getting him his own little trampoline would be great. I don't recommend the mini ones made for children. My son's snapped really quickly and others have had the same issue. The adult ones you can get in sports shops are much sturdier.

It's excellent as it doesn't put stress on the joints, burns off alot of energy and builds muscle.

Hanley

Its worth talking to Jason Kane at Impact Strength and Performance in Blackrock (..assuming your'e in Dublin). He's done work with several kids who have physical dysfunction and gotten great results.

intheclouds

You need to be very careful taking advice here as there are plenty of things that children with hypermobile joints should not do (such as trampolining).

Anything he does has to be low impact, but also without risk of a joint bending the wrong direction due to collision or landing badly on the trampoline.

Keane2baMused

intheclouds wrote: »

You need to be very careful taking advice here as there are plenty of things that children with hypermobile joints should not do (such as trampolining).

Anything he does has to be low impact, but also without risk of a joint bending the wrong direction due to collision or landing badly on the trampoline.

Untrue. Trampolining can have great benefits for hypermobile joints and is even recommended. A trampoline with a handlebar can avoid falls and it's an obvious to do it safely.

intheclouds

Keane2baMused wrote: »

Untrue. Trampolining can have great benefits for hypermobile joints and is even recommended. A trampoline with a handlebar can avoid falls and it's an obvious to do it safely.

Unless you are a medical professional with access to the OPs childs medical records you should be very careful making sweeping statements like that.

thegreatiam

Climbing maybe? check with the DR first.

• it's good fun, solo/with a parent, or in a small group,
• low impact and light weight as it's bodyweight - weight and stress on joints can be lowered with assistance from ropes and bands.
• cheap to get into and if he takes to it can be a progressive, physically and mentally challenging hobby for a lifetime.

Start at a local club, if there aren't any then local parks or an indoor wall - even a homemade one for a 6-year-old will be possible or go outdoors somewhere safe.

Blackclaret

Don't know where you're based, in Cork check the 'stepping ahead clinic' Seamus there specialises in sports therapy, really great for kids with dyspraxia etc. My own lad has come on a ton since , now plays rugby, hurling , etc. with his peers no bother.