Is my intolerance of running a result of hypersensitivity?

My twelve year old has aspergers... when we first started biking as a family for exercise he would complain a lot about "fast trees"making his feet/knees hurt... I know this isn't exactly the same as running...but I got him a very nice pair of sunshades and a great helmet (very large biking helmet that sort of blocks peripheral vision) and we just slowly increased what he could do... Worked with him about ignoring/blocking out the distractions... He calls it "marathon_ing" he says "I get into my mode and let it all slide"over the course of three years we have gone from not being able to go a whole mile to being able to ride 170 miles last week in five days...

He also likes to wear under armor shirts (we tried the sensory vest but he likes under armor better)... He says it "gives me a nest I can carry with me" he especially likes to wear one on new trails... After we've done a trail a few times he is cool with it...


As a side note... It does my heart good when I see grown men with autistic syndromes are active and "out there"... Gives me hope for my son...

Don't worry too much about your son as an adult. What's important is that you make sure he isn't a bully magnet as a child in school. That can have a debilitating effect on him that will last throughout childhood. Children on the spectrum tend to be bully magnets growing up.

Using my sensory issues to put together workout programs that satisfy my stimming urges is one of the ways I've lost so much weight. That and the "need" I have to eat mostly the same things every day.

The older he gets the less I worry... He has had years of therapy and sensitivity training... And we're found a good combo of anti anxiety and anti hyperactive meds (at least for now)... And he copes much better now... He used to have meltdowns at least once a week where he was nearly catatonic... He hasn't had one in three years! He has also learned how to tell when he has upset someone (he seems like such a vulcan when he says "I sense I have disturbed your emotions, how can I make amends"... Very cute) ...


I always try to see things from his perspective... The little things... Like when I have to cut the tag out of my shirt because it bugs me... Life is like that for him all the time... And it makes it easier for me to not get upset with him...


as for not being bullied... He has the best siblings in the world.... they go to bat for him a thousand times...

I know you said you go to group therapy... Have you brought up your running issues there? I know that Chris gets a lot of great feedback from the other kids he talks to about his issues... And he loves teaching his coping mechanisms

Hi contingency

How disruptive is your ASD, in terms of daily living? The only research I'm aware of in this area suggests that running, and other kinds of repetitive exercise are associated with a reduction in the behavioural 'symptoms' of ASD (like stereotypy, being able to stay on-task etc), but obviously that's only relevant if you experience those types of difficulties?

I've had a quick search and can't find any evidence around the sensory issues you describe, but I guess it does make sense in terms of the *experience* of sensory overload. I can't find anything relevant right now, and I'm going away for a few days so don't have time to do a more thorough search. But if you'd find it helpful, I'll have another look when I get home in a few days.

I guess, though, the balance of evidence points to static state cardio being good for ASD.

Best of luck - I hope you find a way round this issue.

J

Looking at the comments about swimming - might something like bike riding work better for you? Still steady state cardio, but less of a jarring action?

(I don't think HIIT would be a good option - I think that was suggested up the thread?)

Look into switching to mid-foot landing. There are some YouTube videos or you can buy a book like Chi Running if you want to find out more or a Google will tell you a lot of what you need to know. It will reduce the impact substantially. I've got some Sorbothane insoles which have significantly reduced impact injuries I was getting too.

Hi contingency, I meant how 'severe' is the asd. Most of the research I mentioned is with people who might be described as 'moderate'. I was trying to work out how relevant that would be to you. So to what degree would experiences like stereotypy or on task problems trouble you.

What do you want to get out of the steady state cardio? What's your aim with it?

The things I do for cardio generally are at an intensity level that manate a rest day afterwards. Want something milder so I can do it daily.

I'm not sure as I have no frame of reference. I'm not very good at just throwing these things out there. I can answer specific questions but that's it.

so you are looking for something that still counts as cardio (as in raises your heartrate in a sustained way) and is repetitive enough and not as jarring... but isn't swimming....

I definately reccommend biking... Chris has really gotten into biking... and the way he was describing it to me... if he knows the trail and he can go his own speed... and he can wear his shades and helmet... it doesn't cause hornets to nest inside his brain...

I know you said you would have to take your bike out of your neighborhood... we do that... I have a carrier on my van that holds three bikes... and my bike is usually kept on it... and I ride often (usually about 100 miles a month)... I find trails that I like and that are on my way home from work (I work nights so I get off at 8am) and I ride... I can rack up the miles pretty quickly....

How long did you try running for? I'm just wondering whether it's something you might adapt to. Well, I've been wondering that for myself, because I'd like to start running and maybe run in a marathon. I'm very aware that, for myself, there have been quite a few physical activities that I hated at first, but my body adapted to, and I enjoy now. Such as swimming and cycling, and various strength exercises.