New Therapeutic Toy for Autism
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person's ability to communicateand develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extremebehavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 150children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. Thediagnosis of autism has increased tenfold in the last decade. The centers fordisease control and prevention have called autism a national public health crisiswhose cause and cure remain unknown.Dealing with Autism is a 24/7 job for a caregiver or parent, and requiresboundless patience and love. Most children with autism have developmentalissues that involve impaired physical motor skills, coordination, and balance.These conditions make exercise or physical therapy extremely challenging. As aresult, most autistic children end up with underdeveloped core muscle groups inthe legs, trunk, and arms. Specialized physical therapy is an option, but whatcan parents and caregivers do to help? A company called Columbia-Inland Corporation has recently developed a newtherapeutic mobility device called aPower Pumper. This device is kind of similarto a Big Wheel with special foot pedals. In order to make it go forward, the riderhas to push down with his or her legs while pumping the arms back and forth.Kids enjoy the activity as it makes the device go and they can steer it. The onlyway for it to move is through the action so children are exercising and don't evenknow it. From what I've seen it's an amazing device. According to the developer,results have been nothing short of amazing.
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