Does massage help children with Autism?

Autism is usually diagnosed by age two and symptoms include abnormally low social interaction, minimal eye contact, a fragmented attention span and a strong dislike to touch.

The most heartbreaking aspect of Autism for a parent is the lack of intimate loving interaction with their child, like cuddling and holding hands.

Though it may seem like massage could be an unwanted experience with no benefits, research indicates the opposite.

After one month of daily massage autistic preschool children were more attentive and showed better relationships with their teachers, while another study found that autistic children slept better after a bedtime massage by their parent.

Both studies reported an improvement in touch aversion and the other great news is that most parents found that the interaction level between them and their child improved after daily massage.

There’s no doubt that having a physical and nurturing relationship with your child, no matter what their health status is, fosters a loving bond.

To massage a child with autism, techniques are tailored to the child’s needs by their primary caregiver.

What is certain is that Autistic children thrive on routine, so a predictable and short 15 minute massage routine (to accommodate a short attention span), at the same time daily, is recommended. Strokes in successful studies were smooth, firm and repetitive.

For massaging children with Autism unscented massage oil would be most suitable, unless the child shows a particular liking to scented massage oil.

As always use organic oil so no harmful side effects are experienced by absorbing chemicals into the skin.

Try the Little Innoscents Massage Oil to massage your child.

While the greatest effort has been invested to ensure the validity of this information, the advice therein is set as a ‘general’ guide only, and your individual needs may require a different method to the one shown. Little Innoscents would like to encourage you to see your regular healthcare professional, should you be concerned for you or your baby’s wellbeing.

26 Comments

- - ella12 said
  - 17 Jan 2018
    11:32 am
If it works, why not give it a go.

- - mom101628 said
  - 02 Nov 2017
    2:27 pm
I have found that massage helps everyone – so why wouldn’t it also help a child with autism?

- - mom94125 said
  - 18 Oct 2015
    2:40 pm
cheers Antonette for this good post

- - mom126374 said
  - 25 Feb 2015
    9:04 am
You recommend unscented massage oil but then advertise your oil which has 4 different scents mixed in?

- - mom57808 said
  - 10 Dec 2014
    11:25 am
I no that massage is a wonderful relaxing therapy so I think gentle hands on massaging would not hurt at all

- - rustyblue said
  - 09 Dec 2014
    1:45 pm
this sounds like a great idea – even though the child may not like it to start with, gentle massage might just relieve some of their stress too.

- - zoie1975 said
  - 25 Nov 2014
    11:56 am
ANotehr type of massage which is done with a gentile brush is called the Willbarger protocol! Worked wonders for us.

- - mom93821 said
  - 25 Nov 2014
    10:37 am
Thank you for this article.
Massage is very individual and depends upon a persons sensory processing. Massage may be beneficial for some children; however; for other children it may be difficult, uncomfortable and overwhelming. Do you have links to the studies/research mentioned in this article? Thank you.

- - june11 said
  - 06 Nov 2014
    3:34 pm
We are way behind USA. A friend of mine went to USA and worked as nanny to 2 children, one a 2year old with Autism. He was already having speech therapy a few hours each week. As he grew a little older his hours increased and he had other therapies as well.
By the time she left 15 months later, he was going every day, having lunch and a nap during the day with morning and afternoon sessions. Needless to say he often slept in the car all the home so she carried him inside and put him to bed.

- - mom101113 said
  - 19 Oct 2014
    10:36 am
I massaged my young children and they loved it. When teaching autistic children I used a firmer style of massage with the children. It was apparent that a touch irritated them. The other thing I noticed was that the children liked to be wrapped firmly in a blanket. It calmed them down.

- - deangunna said
  - 18 Oct 2014
    9:40 pm
Yes in most cases I think they would benefit greatly.

- - eliza_andrews said
  - 17 Oct 2014
    8:31 pm
Nice advertisement for Little Innoscents Massage Oil – but as any parent of a child with Autism (or rather Autism Spectrum Disorder – as is is now referred to) will tell you – it is very rare for a child to be diagnosed before the age of 2! For me one of the most heartbreaking aspects of having a child with ASD are the obtuse statements from people who know little about it!
- cloverstorm replied
  
  28 Oct 2014 , 11:03 pm
  That is what I had always understood as well. A little boy I knew whilst working in daycare wasn’t diagnosed until he was 3.
- - mom73117 said
  - 16 Oct 2014
    3:24 pm
Really interesting but not surprising that massage is beneficial to autistic children. It certainly couldn’t do any harm unless the child didn’t enjoy it.

- - Threelos said
  - 16 Oct 2014
    10:05 am
This is really interesting, and other thing htat helps to break through some of the myths about autism and what it means for kids living with it.

- - rachkap said
  - 16 Oct 2014
    2:55 am
It’s always great when new things can be found to help

- - memo said
  - 16 Oct 2014
    12:00 am
any positive communication with a autistic child is so worthwhile trying.

- - jabelle said
  - 15 Oct 2014
    5:11 pm
A wonderful therapy, especially if the parents can be trained and helped to get it started.

- - cherz said
  - 15 Oct 2014
    4:32 pm
Interesting article and certainly wonderful for those children who don’t mind the massage. thanx.

- - mom57522 said
  - 15 Oct 2014
    2:06 pm
I guess it’s a gentle, gentle approach, to build it into a daily rountine.

- - amyabby4 said
  - 15 Oct 2014
    1:51 pm
a very interesting read thank you. my canvas prints