The importance of movement for neurodivergent individuals
Disclaimer: We want to affirm our commitment to neurodiversity and inclusive language practices. We utilize identity-first language, acknowledging the preferences of the community we serve. Therefore, you may notice us referring to individuals as "autistic people" rather than "people with autism." This choice reflects our dedication to respecting the autonomy and identity of each individual. Studies have indicated that many within the autistic community prefer the term "autistic person," emphasizing the importance of recognizing and honoring diverse perspectives. Thank you for joining us on this journey of understanding and acceptance.
Welcome back everyone! This week we are going to introduce a new series covering the importance of movement and exercise for neurodivergent individuals. Our focus today will be on overviewing the importance and benefits of movement for neurodivergent populations in general, but we will expand our discussions in the following weeks (for example, to include discussions on the importance of movement for neurodivergent women and children, as well as touching on other adaptive fitness options).
Health Benefits
Exercise and movement are not only about our physical appearance, but there are profound health benefits to engaging in physical activity, in particular for neurodivergent individuals [1]. Exercise plays a crucial role in promoting mental health, improving cognitive functioning, and in fostering social connection- all of which make physical activity an important tool/component for neurodivergent individuals to incorporate into their lives [2].
There are several areas of functioning that exercise helps with— this includes physical health benefits such as cardiovascular health, enhanced motor skills, and weight management (if this is a specified fitness goal). Exercise also promotes mental health by reducing anxiety and stress, and there are cognitive benefits to physical activity which include improved attention and focus as well as enhanced cognitive functioning [2]. Finally, there are social and behavioral benefits of exercise which include social opportunities, behavioral regulation, and increased self-esteem and confidence [2].
Physical health benefits—
Cardiovascular health: Exercise has a variety of cardiovascular health benefits that keep the heart healthy by reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity [2]. For individuals that are predisposed to certain health conditions, regular physical activity can be vital in helping protect cardiovascular health (and in maintaining its health) [2].
Motor skills: Physical activity enhances motor skills. Activities such as swimming or structured play can improve fine and gross motor skills, which lead to better physical coordination and agility overall [2, 3]. Neurodivergent individuals can experience difficulty with motor skills and coordination, which make physical activity helpful to incorporate in daily practice (to improve motor skills).
Mental health and cognitive benefits—
Anxiety and stress: Physical activity triggers the brain to release natural chemicals called endorphins, which are considered “feel good hormones” [4]. These endorphins interact with receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain and increase a positive feeling in the body (often described as an “euphoric” feeling after a workout) [4]. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression- which are conditions that tend to be comorbid with other forms of neurodivergerence [4]. Activities that are more relaxing for anxiety and stress might include yoga, tai chi, and stretching with meditation, for example.
Focus and attention: Exercise can help improve focus and attention by increasing levels of neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and norepinephrine) which are responsible for attention, focus, and executive functioning [2]. For ADHDers, exercise can help overall with improved performance in daily tasks [2].
Cognitive functioning: Physical activity has been shown to improve brain function, memory, cognitive flexibility, and learning [2]. For neurodivergent individuals who may experience cognitive difficulties, exercise can help with the brain’s neuroplasticity and overall health [2].
Social and behavioral benefits—
Social Opportunities: Exercise offers individuals the ability to foster social opportunities with others who enjoy the same activity, whether this means participating in a team sport, group exercise, going to the gym, etc. [2]. Such activities can give folks a chance to engage in communication, cooperation, and understanding of social cues [2] while on the playing field! For neurodivergent individuals, exercise could be a great opportunity to get the benefits of being active while also meeting peers and creating friendships in a comfortable environment where you thrive (or if you’re like me, just show up :) ) [2].
Self-Regulation: Physical activity can be a positive outlet for individuals with high energy who may need emotional navigation supports because it leads to supportive regulation [2]. Integrating physical activity into their routine can offer a constructive way to support emotional well-being and provide a positive means of self-regulation.
Increased self-esteem and confidence: Exercise can boost an individual’s self-esteem and confidence for a variety of reasons- whether that be from meeting a fitness goal or from body gratitude [2]. For neurodivergent individuals who might have struggled with self-image and self-esteem, exercise might be one way that could help build confidence.
Important reminders
If regular exercise classes are too intimidating (i.e. whether it is due to sensory concerns, anxiety, being over-stimulated, etc.), consider looking into neurodivergent focused groups/classes! At Neuron and Rose, we are offering a “Neurodivergent Nervous System Yoga Workshop” beginning July 13th, 2024- the workshop will run for eight weeks and is designed for neurodivergent individuals, aimed at providing an affirming and nervous system-oriented approach. For more information and to sign up, follow the link www.neuronandrosepsychology.com
Also, in the following weeks look out for more on the series–“The Importance of Movement for Neurodivergent Individuals”– where we will continue to discuss the benefits of physical activity for neurodivergent individuals and the various inclusive ways to participate in such exercise. Stay tuned!
Sources
[1]https://anaddwoman.com/self-care/4-reasons-why-those-with-neurodivergence-should-exercise/
[2]https://projecthaans.com/the-importance-of-exercise-for-neurodivergent-individuals-enhancing-well-being-and-development/
[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389
[4] https://www.webmd.com/depression/exercise-depression
