Movement is Relational: Building Connections Through the Body

 
 

Blog Series: Autism & the Body

Movement is Relational: Building Connections Through the Body

Movement is not just a solitary experience—it’s deeply relational. The way we move our bodies influences how we connect with others and ourselves. An important focus of allied health therapies for autism is building relationships. However, traditional allied health therapies for autism tend to focus on verbal communication, cognitive strategies, and behaviour, leaving out a vital component: the body.

Movement-based therapies, such as physiotherapy and dance movement therapy, offer an opportunity to foster connection through physical activity. These therapies help individuals with autism feel more in tune with their bodies and more connected to the world around them. Through NDIS Capacity Building Improved Daily Living funding, we offer allied health services at home to ensure these therapies can be personalised to fit into each client’s unique life and everyday environment.

Relational movement strengthens both social and physical skills. Through guided exercises, individuals build trust with their therapists, and this increased confidence in connection can carry over into everyday life and interactions. Whether it’s through dancing or therapeutic exercises, movement can create a deeper connection with self and others, enhancing not only functional capacity but also emotional relationships.

In our next article, we explore how movement goes beyond the relational aspect and plays a crucial role in emotional regulation.

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Movement for Emotional Expression and Regulation in Autism

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Autism: Improving Tension, Posture and Pain