How Outdoor Therapy Can Help Your Child Follow Daily Routine

1. How Outdoor Therapy Can Help Your Child Follow Daily Routine

2. Introduction Having a child diagnosed on the autism spectrum may create challenges that neurotically children may not present. Such challenges include communication delays, speech delays, repetitive and stereotypical behavior, social skills inadequacies as well as restricted rigidity as it relates to a daily routine. There are many therapies aimed at aiding a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to live and grow in his or her fullest potential. These include applied behavior analysis, social skills training, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and very interestingly, Eco-therapy.

3. Outdoor Therapy Eco-therapy or nature therapy, sometimes comprehensively called family-centered nature therapy or outdoor therapy entails using the environment of nature and its various elements to become involved in a therapeutic process for persons on the spectrum. Outdoor therapy has several wonderful benefits. These include stress reduction, emotional release, relaxation, reduction in depression, and anxiety as well as creating improvements in following a daily routine.

4. Daily Routine For Autism Therapy Daily routine rigidity is the main feature behavior for many children diagnosed on the spectrum, whether they are high functioning or low functioning. This is because when autistic children have issues processing emotional regulation and sensory processing, anxiety builds. A strong, predictable pattern and routine provides a sense of security and relief to them. Patterns that could offer this relief include predictable eating times, seating arrangements, bedtime, bathing times, location of objects, patterns of commuting to and from therapy and school and the list goes on.

5. Eco-Therapy Eco-therapy or nature therapy is a service that can be found provided by many autism respite providers. Autism respite is a program that provides temporary caregiving for individuals with autism and other similar disabilities while their primary caregiver takes time off to attend to their own mental, emotional and physical well being. This time may be to spend time with a spouse, attend a doctor’s appointment, or even engage in therapy sessions for themselves, such as Eco-therapy. Support services for Autism in Australia, such as ours, provide eco-therapy that will enhance your child’s life for the better.

6. Natural Therapy For Autism Natural therapy for autism has many different elements and facets. The first we can mention is Animal Assistance. Children can be accompanied in the presence of a therapist to interact with various animals in a safe setting. These animals could be dogs, birds, horses, or dolphins. It is said that animals are therapeutic in nature and a trained autism support worker can also help aid in this kind of therapy.

7. Forest Bathing Forest bathing is another favorite among children when it comes on to eco-therapy. The freedom of being in the cool, shaded areas of tall, majestic trees creates an escape and soothing environment for any child dealing with sensory issues, anxiety, and daily frustrations. Another added benefit worth mentioning again is the release and relaxation this brings as it can also help aid in calming a child who might have sleep problems. Research has shown that outdoor activity is a great stimulant for sleep. Exposure to light has a key role in regulating circadian rhythms. This applies also to persons on the spectrum. We believe this benefit makes autism therapy services like ours which provide nature therapy one to consider.

8. Other Autism Therapies Activities such as swimming at a beach or river can also be beneficial. Seawater, salt air, and moderate sun exposure may all be components of Eco-therapy that build a child’s immune system and helps fight sickness. It can also become a great reinforce for the child after repeatedly displaying positive behavior.

9. Eco-therapy like hiking and walking nature trails also provide an opportunity for muscle development and strengthening. Running, jumping, stepping over stones, logs, steps, and going up or down inclines all provide well-needed exercise for your child. This results in a healthier immune system, better coordination, and overall health.

10. Holistic Therapies Holistic therapies such as Eco-therapy should be considered in a child’s care plan as a well-rounded care-plan will result in a much more rounded child. Instilling routines such as interacting with nature and exercising should become lifelong habits your child should learn. Eco-therapy can also be a part of a child’s emotional regulation plan in moments of tantrum and break down. To achieve this, have a shadow or autism support worker who monitors your child at school arranges for a pull-out plan in case of a breakdown.

11. Bottom Line Eco-therapy has many different forms and activities. Benefits include inducing better health, mental stability, stress reduction, adaptation to a daily routine as well as positive reinforcement which also brings joy and recreation. An autism support service in Australia like Adventure Respite is the leading provider for Eco-therapy. Feel free to contact us and get started on adventures that are not only enjoyable but beneficial and needed for your child to thrive and grow in his or her journey.