As a parent of an autistic teenager, you must try new therapies and sports to see if you notice any behavioral improvements.
It is crucial for brain development to start or learn a new skill. This statement is valid for adults or children with autism. Learning a new skill will promote new connections or neuroplasticity in the brain.
I always encourage parents to avoid boredom and start a new sport to promote new connections in their brains.
The National Academy of Sciences published a trial of drumming in 36 adolescents, including nineteen with autism. The autistic adolescents improved their behavior, attention, and repetitive patterns with drumming.
Other improvements after drumming included:
*Reductions in physical and verbal aggression
*Improved social and well-being
*Better ability to self-regulate
*Language development
Also, it is vital that you should verify or cover any deficiencies present in these children. For example, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for neuroplasticity or new brain connections.
Like always, therapy is important for autism, but you can get dramatic effects by upgrading your nutrition.
Have a great day!
In Health and Faith,
David
By the way, if you want to learn more on how to benefit brain function with nutrition, my book Resilient Brain is available on Amazon. Nutrition has been a life-changer for my son affected by severe autism.
If it happened to me, it could happen to you.
Here is the link: www.nuterel.com
References:
The effect of learning to drum on behavior and brain function in autistic adolescents. Marie-Stephanie Cahart, Ali Amad Stephen B. Draper, Ruth G. Lowry, Luigi Marino, Cornelia Carey, Cedric E. Ginestet, Marcus S. Smith, and Steven C. R. Williams. PNAS. doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2106244119 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2106244119?utm_source=twitter