Autism and Exercise | Getting Outside!

Getting outdoors with your child with autism can feel overwhelming. What if they get overstimulated? What if things don’t go as planned? These are valid concerns many parents share, but real-life experiences, especially in natural settings, are incredibly beneficial for children on the autism spectrum.

Whether it’s a short walk around the neighborhood or a full-day hike, outdoor activities offer countless opportunities to build communication skills, practice social interactions, and promote emotional regulation. All of which are central to ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis).

Let’s explore how even a short outdoor outing can support your child’s growth and development.

Why Outdoor Activities Are Important for Children with Autism

Children with autism often benefit from predictable routines and structured environments. However, real-life, unstructured experiences are just as crucial for developing flexibility, social awareness, and sensory integration. Activities like walking on a trail or visiting a park can enhance skills in a way that complements what they’re learning through ABA.

Here’s how:

• Sensory Exposure: Nature provides safe and calming sensory input. From the sound of birds to the feel of pinecones, helping children become more tolerant of different textures, smells, and sounds.

  
  

• Language Opportunities: Talking about what you see ("Look at the red rocks!" or "That’s a big tree!") gives your child natural chances to practice and expand their communication skills.

  
  

• Social Learning: Encounters with other hikers, bikers, or pets offer teachable moments for greetings, sharing space, and turn-taking. These essential social skills are often targeted in applied behavior analysis.

  
  

• Motor Skills and Stamina: Even a short walk can help build gross motor coordination and physical endurance, which many children with autism benefit from practicing.

How to Start Small and Build Confidence

If you're nervous about venturing out, start small. You don't need to plan an all-day hike to make an impact.

Try these tips:

• Begin with a 5-minute walk: This can help you gauge how your child responds to new environments.

  
  

• Observe their response to instructions: Are they able to follow simple directions like "stay on the path" or "hold my hand"?

  
  

• Slowly increase duration: As your child builds stamina and comfort, gradually extend your outings.

These small steps not only help your child but also give you confidence in navigating outdoor environments together.

Make It a Sensory-Rich, Language-Filled Experience

When you're out exploring, talk about everything you see, hear, and feel:

• "The sun is warm today."

• "This rock is smooth. Can you touch it?"

• "I see a bird flying. What color is it?"

  
  

These comments aren’t just casual observations, they are natural opportunities for ABA strategies to be used in real-world contexts. They encourage language development, joint attention, and reciprocal interaction.

Not Into Hiking? No Problem.

Hiking may not be for every family, and that’s okay! The goal is to experience the world beyond your home.

Here are some alternatives that offer similar benefits:

• A stroll through a local park

• Playing catch in the backyard

• Visiting a nature center or botanical garden

• Feeding ducks at a nearby pond

• Walking a nature trail at your child's pace

  
  

What matters most is stepping outside the daily routine and practicing real-life skills in a variety of environments. This is a key part of what ABA therapy helps support.

Just Go and Try

It’s natural to feel unsure before trying something new with your child, especially when it’s outside your comfort zone. But every outing, no matter how small, is a chance to help your child grow.

So, start with a five-minute walk. Look at the trees. Watch a bike pass by. Talk about what you see. These moments, though simple, create meaningful learning experiences and help reinforce the goals your child may already be working on through ABA.

The world is full of teachable moments. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside your front door.