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Easy and Effective Gross Motor Skills Activities for Children with Autism, APD or ADHD

Gavin Williams
Physiotherapist
September 25, 2024

Parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Auditory Processing Disorder know that these conditions often affect their child’s motor skills. One study found that 56% of children between the ages of 8 and 16 with ADHD shared gross motor concerns similar to children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, a condition that impacts motor skills.

Gross motor impairments can lead your child to be clumsy, uncoordinated, and have difficulty with sports, exercise, and self-care tasks.

In my experience as a physiotherapist, I have seen the impact gross motor skills have on a child’s independence and well-being. I will describe gross motor skills and offer step-by-step instructions for fun, energizing gross motor activities that help build these skills.

In addition to these exercises, the Soundsory® program is an excellent, natural way to address motor skills. This program uniquely blends movement, music, and therapy to support sensory processing skills and motor development.

What Are Gross Motor Skills?

Gross motor skills involve the purposeful movement of larger body parts, such as arms, legs, and trunk. They are one of the three main types of coordination, alongside fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Since they control the limbs, gross motor skills examples include running, jumping, walking, crawling, climbing, and hopping. They also help with skills such as balance, coordination, and core strength.

Fine motor skills, on the other hand, involve smaller and more intricate muscles such as those that control the wrist and hand. Fine motor skills are needed for tasks such as scissor skills, writing, drawing, eating, stringing beads, stacking blocks, and more.

While these two sets of skills are different, they are important to one another. If a child lacks proper gross motor skills, they may struggle with keeping their arms and legs stable. As a result, this lack of stability can impact their ability to engage in fine motor tasks.

Why Are Gross Motor Activities Important?

Improving gross motor skills helps to build confidence and paves the way for social interaction through play. It can also enable your child to move more independently and stay safe as their risk of falling or injury reduces.

“Gross motor skills are so important. They lay the foundation for developing fine motor skills and better coordination as your child grows.”

Colin Palmer, Pediatric Specialist Physical Therapist (UK)

Physical development

Gross motor activities help children develop strong muscles and bones along with healthy hearts. By engaging in play and exercise that requires gross motor skills, children can develop better mobility skills and posture. High gross motor activity levels, such as those required for strenuous activities and exercise, can also help prevent obesity.

Cognitive & language development

If a child is more independent in navigating their environment, they are exposed to a much wider range of sensory experiences. This not only heightens their curiosity, but also encourages the development of language as well as the use of and interaction with various objects such as toys and household items. As a child navigates through more of their home, school, and community environments, they learn to avoid obstacles and barriers to get where they want to go. This helps them develop improved spatial awareness, balance, and coordination. There is growing evidence that suggests a link between gross motor skill development and a child’s ability to learn language [3].

Social development

Gross motor activities can help children play multi-person games and team sports. With better gross motor skills, a child can focus on other aspects of group interactions, such as relating to their peers and learning the value of skills such as teamwork. Children will be better able to participate in group activities as a result of possessing the skills needed for those activities.

Emotional development

Mastering gross motor activities can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. These skills can help them participate in more complex tasks and games, which can give them a sense of achievement and competence. With better movement abilities, a child may also feel more emotionally regulated, leading them to better manage feelings such as frustration and irritability.

Developmental Milestones and How They are Impacted in Children with Autism, APD, or ADHD

Here’s a breakdown of gross motor skill milestones for children with autism, APD, and ADHD, categorized by age:

Age Range	General	Typical Milestones	Possible Delays
Birth to one year	May experience delays in meeting some milestones, especially those involving balance and coordination. This is common in children with autism [2] and ADHD.	Rolls over, sits with support, begins to crawl, pulls to stand, and stands with support.	May have difficulty rolling over, show a preference for using only one side of their body, struggle with achieving balance while sitting or standing.
1-2 years	Children with ADHD may demonstrate increased energy levels and fidgeting, potentially impacting their ability to focus on mastering gross motor skills.	Walks independently, climbs stairs with help, throws a ball (underarm), and kicks a ball.	May have a less coordinated walking style [3], struggle with stairs, or have trouble throwing or kicking a ball.
2-3 years	Children with Autism may have sensory sensitivities [4] that can impact their willingness to participate in physical activities. Auditory processing activities can help support this.	Runs, jumps with both feet, climbs without assistance, throws a ball overhand.	May avoid climbing or running due to sensory sensitivities, have difficulty jumping or maintaining balance, or struggle with throwing or catching a ball.
3-4 years	Both Autism and ADHD can continue to impact gross motor skills, but targeted interventions like coordination exercises for kids and therapy can make a significant difference.	Catches a large ball, hops on one foot, and rides a tricycle.	May have difficulty catching a ball, struggle with balance while hopping, or have trouble riding a tricycle.
4-5 years	Most children with Autism and ADHD will show significant improvement with consistent support and therapy.	Skips, jumps forward, pedals a two-wheeled bicycle.	May still struggle with skipping or jumping, have difficulty balancing on a bike, or show continued clumsiness.
5-6 years	Children with ADHD may benefit from activities that help them channel their energy and improve focus.	Gallops, jumps over small objects, and catches a small ball with hands together.	May struggle with galloping or jumping over objects, have difficulty catching a ball consistently.
6-7 years	Children with Autism may show increased interest in specific physical activities and excel in those areas.	Hops on one foot for several steps, skips with alternating feet, balances on one foot for 10 seconds.	May struggle with hopping on one foot for extended periods, have difficulty skipping smoothly, or show challenges with balance.
7-8 years	Both Autism and ADHD can continue to impact participation in team sports due to social interaction or focus challenges.	Jumps rope, throws a ball overhand with accuracy, swims with ease.	May struggle with jumping rope, have difficulty throwing a ball accurately, or show challenges with swimming techniques.
8-10 years	Continued support and therapy can help children with Autism and ADHD develop confidence and competence in gross motor skills.	Rides a bicycle proficiently, plays team sports, participates in activities like gymnastics or dance (may vary based on interest).	May still struggle with specific activities like riding a bike or team sports, show discomfort with certain movements due to sensory processing.

It is common for some children to experience delays in gross motor skills. While it’s not necessarily a cause for alarm, it is important to mention any concerns to your child’s doctor. In addition to not meeting milestones, it’s recommended to contact your child’s doctor if they are having difficulty in school or with self-care tasks, such as potty training, dressing, or eating.

They can point you toward rehabilitation professionals such as occupational therapists and physical therapists, who can help your child build gross motor skills either within the home or at school.

Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers (1-3 Years)

Research shows that around 68% of preschoolers who have Autism Spectrum Disorder exhibit gross motor delays. It is important to address these delays in formative years, so children can build skills and independence as they grow. The toddler years are a short but essential window, as the brain and body rapidly develop during this time. Such development leads to the establishment of new movement patterns, many of which last for years.

Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, APD, and other conditions may experience these early years differently than their peers. For example, such conditions may lead to sensory concerns (such as hesitancy around textures and sensitivity to loud noises), cautious movements around one’s environment, and difficulty using two arms and two legs together to complete tasks. These difficulties may lead a child to have less exposure to important experiences and skills that help develop gross motor skills.

To assist with these concerns, parents can create a low-pressure environment that encourages their child to participate and build confidence. In this section, we will discuss some gross motor activities for toddlers.

1. Snow Angels (limb coordination):

Original: Place your child on their back. Ask them to raise their arms out to the side and take their feet apart, then bring them back to their body again.
Modified: Ask your child to perform the movements without their hands or feet touching the floor. This adds a great core-strengthening challenge.
Simplified: Encourage your child to move just their arms or legs to begin with. You can add the extra moves when you feel they are ready.

https://youtu.be/t-B217EnXXY

2. Silly Crawls (Arm, leg & core strengthening, and coordination)

Original: Beginning on all fours, ask your child to crawl forward.
Modified: For an extra challenge, ask your child to crawl but pause for 1-3 seconds when their hand or foot is in the air. This really challenges their concentration and balance skills.
Simplified: If crawling is too challenging, you could begin with your child placed on all fours and asking them to maintain the position. This is still a great way to develop gross motor skills.

https://youtu.be/7HI3aN7GNys

3. Wall Push-Ups (Posture and balance):

Original: Ask your child to stand upright with feet apart and place their hands on the wall in front of them.
Modified: Complete the same activity as above, but challenge your child by moving their feet further from the wall.
Simplified: Bring your child’s feet closer to the wall. This reduces the weight on their arms and helps them balance more easily.

https://youtu.be/kCcqhJLOlKw

Rolling a Ball Back and Forth (eye tracking, motor planning, turn-taking)

Original: Stand across the room from your child, bend over at the waist, and use both hands to push the ball across the room toward them. They will do the same to you and so on.
Modified: Have your child sit on the floor (with a couch or chair behind them to support their body, if needed) and use both hands to push the ball across the room toward you. You will assume the same position and do the same to them.
Simplified: Sit behind your child, place your hands over theirs, and show them how to push the ball across the room to another person. Direct their attention to the ball so they make eye contact with it as they move it.

Climbing In and Out of Boxes (whole body coordination, spatial awareness, confidence with movement)

Original: Get a medium or large cardboard box and place it on the floor in an open space. Ask your child to stand up and step into the box. Then ask them to get out.
Modified: Get a medium or small cardboard box and place it on the floor in an open space. Ask your child to turn the box over and place it on their head.
Simplified: Get a medium or large cardboard box and place it on the floor in an open space. Place your child’s favorite toy in the box and instruct them to get it out however they see fit.

Balloon Tap (hand-eye coordination, reaction time, spatial awareness)

Original: Inflate a balloon of any size and use your fingertips to bat it toward your child, who is standing a few feet away from you. Tell them to bat it with their hand to send it back to you.
Modified: Inflate a balloon of any size and use your fingertips to bat it toward your child, who is standing a few feet away from you. Tell them to bat it with a small piece of cardboard or poster board to send it back to you.
Simplified: Inflate a balloon of any size and use your fingertips to bat it toward your child, who is seated a few feet away from you. Tell them to bat it with their hand to send it back to you.

Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers (3-5 Years)

Gross motor skills progress naturally as your child continues to develop. They include activities like jumping jacks, treasure hunts, and hopscotch. There is still a focus on improving strength, proprioception activities, and coordination exercises. If your child is preschool age, then check out our dedicated blog on gross motor activities for preschoolers.

Hopscotch (balance, coordination, hopping, jumping, sequencing)

Original: Using painter’s tape, duct tape, or other colorful tape, make squares in the shape of a hopscotch grid on the floor. Demonstrate to your child how you hop on one foot to move past the single squares and hop with two feet side-by-side to move past the double squares.
Modified: Using painter’s tape, duct tape, or other colorful tape, make squares in the shape of a hopscotch grid on the floor. Make this grid different by adding at least four single squares in a row, requiring your child to hop on one foot four times in a row.
Simplified: Using painter’s tape, duct tape, or other colorful tape, make squares in the shape of a hopscotch grid on the floor. Make this grid different by adding at least four double squares in a row, requiring your child to hop with both feet four times in a row.

Animal walks – Bear Walks and Crab Walks (upper body strength, body awareness, core strength, bilateral limb coordination)

Original: To do a bear walk, bend over at the waist to place both hands on the floor. Get in position as if you are about to kneel, but make sure your knees are just off the ground. Move your hands and feet forward at the same time to bear walk until you reach the other side of the room. To do a crab walk, sit on your bottom on the floor, then lean back slightly and place your hands flat on the floor just below your shoulders. Place your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees, then push up so you lift your bottom off the floor. Move your hands and feet at the same time to crab walk until you reach the other side of the room.
Modified: To do a bear walk, bend over at the waist to place both hands on the floor. Get in position as if you are about to kneel, but make sure your knees are just off the ground. Move your hands and feet forward at the same time to bear walk until you reach the opposite side of the room. Once you reach there, turn around and bear walk back to the starting position. To do a crab walk, sit on your bottom on the floor, then lean back slightly and place your hands flat on the floor just below your shoulders. Place your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees, then push up so you lift your bottom off the floor. Move your hands and feet at the same time to crab walk until you reach the opposite side of the room. Once you reach there, turn around and crab walk back to the starting position.
Simplified: To do a bear walk, bend over at the waist to place both hands on the floor. Kneel on the ground and use your knees to “walk” across the room. To do a crab walk, sit on your bottom on the floor, then lean back slightly and place your hands flat on the floor just below your shoulders. Place your feet flat on the floor and bend your knees. Move your hands and feet at the same time as you briefly lift your bottom off the floor to “walk” across the room.

Obstacle course (motor planning, balance, strength)

Original: Find three objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and do 10 jumping jacks. Have your child move to the second station and do 10 push-ups. Have your child move to the third station and do 10 log rolls. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.
Modified: Find three objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and do 10 jumping jacks. Take a dance break to freestyle and get some energy out! Have your child move to the second station and do 10 push-ups. Take a dance break to freestyle and get some energy out! Have your child move to the third station and do 10 log rolls. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.
Simplified: Find three objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and do 5 jumping jacks. Have your child move to the second station and do 5 push-ups. Have your child move to the third station and do 5 log rolls. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.

Dancing/Songs with Movement (coordination, rhythm, body awareness)

Original: Follow the steps in the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing each motion right, not quickly.
Modified: Follow the steps in the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song. Do not demonstrate what you want them to do, but ask them to sing as they dance!
Simplified: Follow the steps in the “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” song. Demonstrate the complete song before having your child try it alongside you.

Gross Motor Activities for School-Aged Children (5-10 Years)

It’s important to consider motivation when addressing gross motor activities, as this will improve a child’s overall engagement and make the tasks more enjoyable. Keep this in mind as you go through the following activities, and try to incorporate your child’s interests wherever possible.

Yoga Poses (balance and concentration)

These three yoga movements are fantastic for many reasons.

One recent scientific study [4] found that:

“Yoga and meditation positively affect various symptoms in children with ADHD, including attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. If done in family group sessions, it also benefited the parents and family dynamics, suggesting a potential option for family therapy. Furthermore, other psychological symptoms, such as anxiety or low self-esteem, appeared to be positively impacted by these interventions.”

Original: Set up an area with plenty of space. You can use a yoga mat for more grip and padding if you wish, but it’s not mandatory. Practice moving into downward-facing dog, cat/cow, or baby cobra.
Modified: Gradually increase the height or the duration of time spent holding the position. With practice, your child could move from one pose straight into the next.
Simplified: If your child finds the poses too challenging, they could just perform part of the movement or hold it for a shorter time. This still encourages body awareness and challenges their core.

Downward Dog

https://youtu.be/6rpdKmgceVo

Cat Cow

https://youtu.be/VBSHW-rFUV4

Baby Cobra

https://youtu.be/1Td-RTMfMso

Jumping Rope (coordination, rhythm, and bilateral movement)

Original: Have your child hold one jump rope handle in each hand, swing it over their head, and jump up with both feet at the same time to clear the rope as it nears the ground. Repeat 10 times.
Modified: Place the jump rope on the floor and hold one handle. Quickly move it side to side so the rope wiggles like a snake. Have your child try to jump over the snake without it touching their feet.
Simplified: Along with another adult, hold the jump rope at each end and slowly move it up and around so your child can jump over it. Have them do this 5 times.

*Sensory considerations: If your child doesn’t like the texture of the jump rope handles, you can wrap a sock over them to make them softer or warmer.

Balance Beam Walking (proprioception, balance, and postural control)

Original: Place 12 inches of clear packing tape on the floor. Have your child start at one end of the tape and walk with one foot in front of the other down the length of the tape. Remind them to keep their feet on the tape at all times.
Modified: Place 12 inches of clear packing tape on the floor. Have your child start at one end of the tape with their feet pointing out to the side. Have them take side-by-side steps as they “shimmy” down the length of the tape. Remind them to keep their feet on the tape as much as possible.
Simplified: Place 12 inches of clear packing tape on the floor. Have your child place a foot on either side of the tape and move each foot one at a time as they walk the length of the tape without touching it.

*Sensory considerations: If your child is having trouble seeing where the tape is, try painter’s tape, duct tape, or even arts and crafts tape with vivid designs.

Obstacle Course (motor planning, direction following, and coordination)

Original: Find five objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and run in place for 30 seconds. Have your child move to the second station and do 20 push-ups. Have your child move to the third station and do 20 crunches. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.
Modified: Find five objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and run in place for 30 seconds. Have your child move to the second station and do 20 chair push-ups. Have your child move to the third station and do 20 crunches. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.
Simplified: Find five objects to set across the room and use as “stations.” Have your child move to the first station and run in place for 10 seconds. Have your child move to the second station and do 10 wall push-ups. Have your child move to the third station and do another 10 wall push-ups. Be sure they take their time and focus on doing the exercises right, not quickly.

*Sensory considerations: If your child becomes overstimulated easily, have them take a deep breathing break for 10 seconds in between each station.

Jumping Jacks (bilateral coordination, rhythm, and cardiovascular endurance)

Original: Have your child spread their legs a few feet apart as they stand in place. Have them reach each arm above their head and out to the side. Instruct them to jump as they bring their arms and legs together at the same time. Instruct them to jump again as they assume the starting position. Have them go through these steps more quickly to combine them into a fluid motion. Repeat these steps 15 times.
Modified: Have your child stand with both feet together. Have them kick one leg out to the side as they bring their arms up and over their head to clap. As they bring their arms back down to their side, have them bring their leg back down to meet the other one. Repeat these same steps with the other leg. Repeat 15 times.
Simplified: Have your child spread their legs a few feet apart as they stand in place. Have them reach each arm above their head and out to the side. Instruct them to jump as they bring their arms and legs together at the same time. Instruct them to jump again as they assume the starting position. Have them go through these steps slowly with a focus on following directions rather than speed. Repeat these steps 10 times.

*Sensory considerations: If your child likes deep pressure, they may prefer the original version due to more weight-bearing on the joints.

Indoor Gross Motor Activities for Children with Autism & ADHD

Many parents utilize the outdoors to give their children opportunities for gross motor activities. However, it’s not always possible to be outdoors due to weather or sensory factors that may impact your child. It’s good to have indoor options for your child, such as the following:

Cushion obstacle course: You can arrange cushions on the floor in the shape of a hopscotch grid, shape, line, or pattern. Have your child hop between them without touching the floor or falling. This addresses balance, strength, and coordination.
Balloon volleyball: Bat a balloon back and forth over a large surface such as a long table or a large piece of tape on the floor. Be sure to stand at the end of each surface in order to keep it competitive! This helps with hand-eye coordination and balance.
Pillow jumping: Arrange pillows on a couch or bed in various shapes. Try to hop on the pillows without touching the couch or bed they are on. This helps with balance, strength, and coordination.
Hallway bowling: Arrange a pyramid of plastic cups at the end of a hallway. Take a soft, air-filled ball and use one hand to roll it down the hallway to knock the cups down. This helps with hand-eye coordination and balance.
Freeze dancing: Dance to the beat of a song, then have your child stop and hold their position each time you pause the song. This helps with hand-eye coordination, timing, and balance.

Outdoor Gross Motor Activities for Children with Autism & ADHD

The outdoors offers many opportunities to build gross motor skills. Parents can encourage their children to engage in any of the following activities for that purpose:

Playground climbing: You can make this sensory-friendly by stacking stable items under the playground for your child to climb on to get to certain parts of the jungle gym.
Kicking a ball: You can hold your child’s hand as they kick if they are hesitant to take one foot off the ground.
Bike riding: A helmet is recommended for anyone riding a bike, though knee and elbow pads can be even more helpful to prevent injury in children with a low pain tolerance.
Nature scavenger hunt: You can set aside certain dry, “parent-approved” items that children can use if they are sensitive to certain textures.
Sidewalk chalk hopscotch: You can pre-draw the outlines if your child does not like the texture of chalk on their hands.

Additional Ideas for Seasonal or Themed Activities

Remember! The most important thing is keeping the exercises FUN!

Why not try adapting the exercises for a special season or theme?

Here are some fun suggestions to get you started.

Springtime: Bunny Hop Fun

Original: Encourage your child to hop like a bunny around the garden or living room. They can collect pretend eggs or flowers as they hop.
Progression: Introduce bunny obstacles, such as jumping over a stream (a piece of tape on the floor) or hopping around a tree (a chair).
Simplified: Begin by simply hopping in place and gradually increase the distance as your child becomes more comfortable.

https://youtu.be/jZKskDyMelI

Wintertime: Snow angels

Just like the activity above, but your child could lie on a fluffy white blanket or a bed of cotton wool to make their wintertime snow angels.

You could place some fun seasonal objects at their sides for them to touch as they slide their arms and legs outward.

Fall: Leaf jump

Rake up some leaves into a large pile, then take a trust fall (backward or forward) into them for a nice cushioned landing!

Summer: Beach ball volleyball

You can try a game like volleyball, but with a larger ball, such as a beach ball. This further enhances hand-eye coordination and makes it an added challenge to move the ball as far as it needs to go.

Sensory-Friendly Adaptations for Gross Motor Activities

It’s possible for children with APD and autism to have sensory sensitivities that make participating in various activities more trying. If this is the case, you can make some additional modifications to encourage them.

You can offer sensory tools that have worked for them before (such as weighted vests or compression clothing) to make them more comfortable. Reducing background noise may help some children, while low, instrumental music may be a good supplement for other children. Do not disrupt your child’s routine to do exercises; try to incorporate them during times when they are already active.

Allow your child to do these exercises in a familiar environment while letting them watch several demonstrations before trying them themselves. Remind them you are there to watch and help if they need it.

How to Incorporate Gross Motor Activities into Daily Routines

While it may seem time-consuming, it’s often best to break up exercises like these into small portions and spread them out throughout the day. Sometimes this also helps with engagement. For example, you can encourage your child to do animal walks (crab walk, bear crawl, bunny hop, etc.) on their way to the bathroom in the morning or create a short obstacle course that’s set up in the hall where they need to pass through on the way to their nighttime bath.

If you walk to school with your child, it’s simple to use sidewalk tiles as a form of hopscotch or to complete jumping jacks every time you pass a stop sign. Remember to use what you and your child already know, as this will make it more fun and easier to stick to!

Recommended Equipment and Tools for Gross Motor Activities at Home

Gross motor skill activities are important for helping your child develop better coordination. They’re part of a bigger program of therapy which incorporates Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and the priceless input provided by parents and educators.

The exercises can all be done without equipment, though tools can be helpful in the process.

A music player often helps and can help your child keep pace or boost their energy. A jump rope often helps with coordination and timing of movement, along with endurance. Hula hoops help your child coordinate their upper body movements with their lower body movements. Bouncing on therapy balls provides calming input while encouraging balance and core strength as your child tries to keep themselves upright.

Yoga mats offer padding, making many whole-body exercises more comfortable. Bean bags, especially if you grade the weight up gradually, can help your child build strength and hand-eye coordination.

Soundsory® is the perfect companion by providing a multi-sensory music and movement program designed especially for children with autism, APD or ADHD.

As a parent or carer, you play a crucial role in helping your child’s development. We also offer a list of occupational therapy activities you can do with your child at home.

Signs of Gross Motor Skill Delay and When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is becoming increasingly frustrated with gross motor skills, has trouble sitting upright in their chair at school, or doesn’t have the strength to participate in self-care tasks such as dressing and bathing, it may be time to contact a professional. In addition, if your child hasn’t met a few motor milestones or avoids physical activities altogether, they can benefit from seeing an occupational or physical therapist to address these skills. It’s best to address motor problems as early as possible, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s doctor if you notice these concerns. They can connect your child with services that build their confidence and independence.

Long-Term Benefits of Developing Gross Motor Skills in Children

By developing gross motor skills early on, your child will see improvements in many ways throughout their life. For instance, they are likely to do better in school, socialize with greater ease with friends, gain independence, and experience improved physical health. They may even be more motivated for exercise, hiking, running, biking, swimming, and other active hobbies as they grow up.

There are many ways in which gross motor skills will help your child throughout their life. By helping them build these skills (or reaching out to someone else who can help), you can rest assured that you’ve helped your child’s overall well-being for years to come.

FAQs: Best Gross Motor Activities for Children with Autism, APD, or ADHD

What are the 5 types of gross motor skills?

The five basic motor skills are sitting, standing, walking, running, and jumping.

Which is the best example of a gross motor skill?

Walking, because it involves maintaining an upright posture, moving limbs in a coordinated way, swinging arms to keep momentum, and keeping balance.

Do kids with ADHD have poor motor skills?

Not always. Although it’s common for children with ADHD to have poor motor skills [6], it is not certain. Research shows motor problems in children with ADHD can range from 30% to 52% [7].

How can I help my autistic child with motor skills?

Children with autism, APD, or ADHD often find it harder to develop their motor skills. It’s important to be patient, understanding, and consistent when helping your child. Offer plenty of praise and encouragement to build confidence.

It helps to break down activities and teach new skills in small, manageable steps. Visual aids or demonstrations can support learning and using sensory tools like weighted blankets or therapy balls can help sensory processing. The Soundsory® program is designed to complement therapy and home exercises by using music and movement. It’s based on the principles of neuroplasticity – our innate ability to form new neural connections.

What is the difference between gross motor skills and fine motor skills?

Gross motor skills control large parts of the body (such as the legs and arms) while fine motor skills control smaller parts of the body (such as the hand and wrist).

How often should children practice gross motor activities?

Gross motor activities can be completed each day, but at least three times per week is recommended.

What equipment do I need for gross motor activities at home?

You don’t necessarily need equipment to address these skills, but bean bags, therapy balls, yoga mats, hula hoops, and jump ropes are just some examples of tools that can help.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve outlined the many ways gross motor activities can improve your child’s gross motor skills, you can see the various ways this will positively impact them. The key to success with these exercises is to be consistent, which can be done by incorporating some of these activities into your child’s daily routine. While many of these exercises are innately playful, you can add your child’s interests to them to make them even more interesting and fun.

As you can see, you don’t need any special equipment to make a difference in your child’s gross motor skills. However, if you continue to have any concerns or notice that your child struggles with several motor skills, it may be best to contact their doctor. They can set your child up with a physical therapist or occupational therapist to develop a personalized plan for building their gross motor skills.

In addition to these exercises, parents can utilize SoundSory, another natural, motor-based activity in the form of a comprehensive program. SoundSory pairs quite well with each of these activities and uses music along with fun activities to build your child’s motor and sensory skills.

References

1. Gonzalez, S. L., Alvarez, V., & Nelson, E. L. (2019). Do Gross and Fine Motor Skills Differentially Contribute to Language Outcomes? A Systematic Review. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 2670. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02670

2. Wilson, R. B., Enticott, P. G., & Rinehart, N. J. (2018). Motor development and delay: advances in assessment of motor skills in autism spectrum disorders. Current opinion in neurology, 31(2), 134–139. https://doi.org/10.1097/WCO.0000000000000541

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Gavin Williams

I’m a health & wellness writer and specialist physiotherapist with 19+ years clinical experience. My writing spans all areas of wellbeing, from healthcare & fitness, to mental and spiritual health. My hobbies include climbing, music and keeping fit.