If your child has autism, you've probably noticed that some physical activities seem harder than they are for other children.
Maybe your child:
Many parents naturally focus first on communication, sensory needs, or social skills. But there's another area that's just as important and often overlooked: motor development.
The good news is that a new research review published in 2026 found that structured physical activity can significantly improve motor skills in children with autism.
Motor skills affect almost everything children do throughout the day.
They help children:
When these skills are difficult, children often become frustrated or avoid activities that help them learn and build confidence.
Research suggests that
about 80% of children with autism experience some type of motor difficulty, yet many never receive physical therapy.
Researchers reviewed 10 high-quality clinical studies involving children with autism under the age of 12.
Rather than studying one exercise program, they looked at many different types of structured movement programs to answer one important question:
Can regular physical activity improve motor skills?
The answer was yes.
Children who participated in structured exercise programs showed meaningful improvements in:
One of the most interesting findings was that children made greater improvements when they exercised more frequently, even if the sessions weren't especially long.
For families, that's encouraging news. It suggests that regular movement throughout the week may be more valuable than occasional long exercise sessions.
You don't need a gym membership or expensive equipment.
In this research, structured exercise simply meant activities that were planned, repeated regularly, and focused on building specific movement skills.
Examples include:
For young children, the best therapy often looks like play.
This research reinforces something pediatric physical therapists have known for years: children learn movement best through purposeful, enjoyable activities.
At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, our physical therapists design every session around your child's individual strengths and goals.
Therapy may include activities that improve:
Every activity has a purpose, even if it looks like your child is simply having fun.
Our therapists carefully choose games and activities that challenge children while keeping them motivated and engaged.
Strong motor skills don't just help children move better.
They also help children:
When children become more confident moving their bodies, many families notice improvements in participation, independence, and overall quality of life.
Every child with autism is unique.
Some children have only mild motor delays, while others struggle with many everyday physical activities.
It may be time for an evaluation if your child:
The earlier motor challenges are identified, the sooner therapy can help children develop the skills they need to be successful at home, at school, and in the community.
At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to move with confidence.
Our pediatric physical therapists work closely with occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to create personalized treatment plans that help children build the skills they need for everyday life.
Depending on your child's needs, therapy may include:
Because every child learns differently, every therapy plan is individualized to help each child reach their fullest potential.
This new research adds to growing evidence that structured physical activity can significantly improve motor skills in children with autism.
The most important takeaway for parents is simple:
Movement matters.
Children with autism can make meaningful gains in balance, coordination, running, jumping, and other everyday skills when they receive consistent, purposeful movement opportunities.
If you have concerns about your child's motor development, don't wait to ask questions. An evaluation by a pediatric physical therapist can identify your child's strengths, uncover areas where they may need support, and create a personalized plan to help them thrive.
At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, we're passionate about helping children build the confidence, strength, and motor skills they need to participate fully in the activities they love.
This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns about your child's development, consult a licensed pediatric therapist or physician.
We empower children, families, and the community to learn, grow, and celebrate every child's unique abilities.
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