Is Core Muscle Strengthening Essential for Children with Autism
Why Core Muscle Strengthening Is Essential for Children with Autism
An Occupational Therapy Perspective
When parents hear the word “core,” they often think of abs or sit-ups. But in occupational therapy, the core means much more than that. And for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), core strength plays a quiet but powerful role in posture, attention, movement, and independence.
What Is the “Core”?
The core includes the muscles of the tummy, back, hips, and pelvis. These muscles keep the body stable and upright.
They act like the body’s central support system.
Everyday activities depend on the core, including:
• Sitting at a table
• Standing without leaning
• Reaching, writing, and cutting
• Running, jumping, and climbing
• Staying balanced during play
When the core is strong, the body feels steady. When it’s weak, everything else becomes harder.
Many children with autism show:
• Low muscle tone
• Poor postural control
• Reduced overall strength
• Quick fatigue during movement or sitting
Even when intelligence and understanding are age-appropriate, weak core muscles can make it difficult to:
• Sit still
• Maintain balance
• Coordinate movements
• Stay engaged in classroom tasks
What may look like inattention or restlessness is often the child’s body struggling to stay upright and organized.
How Core Strength Affects Posture, Sitting, and Attention
A strong core helps a child:
• Sit upright without slumping
• Keep both feet on the floor
• Use hands without leaning on the desk
• Hold a position for longer periods
When posture becomes more automatic, the brain doesn’t have to work as hard just to keep the body stable.
What this really means is more mental energy for listening, learning, and following instructions.
Many children who:
• Fidget constantly
• Lie on the desk
• Change positions frequently
are compensating for poor core stability, not misbehaving.
Impact on Gross Motor Skills and Play
Core strength is the foundation for all large movements.
It supports:
• Balance
• Coordination
• Endurance
• Confidence during play
When core muscles are weak, children may:
• Appear clumsy
• Tire quickly
• Struggle with climbing, jumping, or riding a bike
• Avoid playground activities
Avoiding movement then limits strength development further, creating a cycle that occupational therapy aims to break.
Impact on Fine Motor Skills and School Tasks
Occupational therapists often use the phrase:
“Proximal stability for distal mobility.” In simple terms, this means:
Stable bodies support skilled hands.
Without good core and trunk stability, children may struggle with:
• Handwriting
• Cutting with scissors
• Using cutlery
• Buttoning, zipping, or tying
Hands can’t work efficiently if the body underneath them is unstable.
Effects on Learning, Behaviour, and Self-Regulation
Research shows that improved muscle strength, including core strength, is linked to better:
• Attention
• Planning
• Self-control
• Participation
When a child’s body feels organized and secure, their nervous system is calmer. This often leads to:
• Less restlessness
• Better focus
• Improved engagement in learning and social activities
Movement and strength directly support regulation.
Hidden Benefits for Daily Living Skills (ADLs)
Core muscles are working during everyday tasks, even when we don’t notice them.
Stronger core muscles help children:
• Sit steadily during meals
• Stand safely while dressing
• Stay balanced during bathing and toileting
• Walk longer distances in the community
• Carry school bags with better endurance
These small gains add up to greater independence.
