Autism is a developmental condition that can be evident within the first few years of a childs life. The number of people who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise in Australia.
Children with autism often show the following behaviours:
- difficulties relating to and communicating with other people
- often repeat a particular behaviour over and over, or become fixated on an object
- unusual sensory issues (such as sensitive to sound, or the feel and smell of things)
There is no clear explanation about what causes ASD.
Reflexology assists children with autism because it reduces anxiety and helps improve the social behaviour of challenged children. Once the trust between the reflexologist and the child is established the child allows themselves to let go and the touch therapy leads to an increased feeling of comfort and wellbeing. Short sessions with children lead to increased calm with each additional session.
