Sports: An underutilized tool for patients with disabilities

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doi:doi: 10.12788/jfp.0575

Applied Evidence

Sports: An underutilized tool for patients with disabilities

J Fam Pract. 2023 April;72(3):102-106 | doi: 10.12788/jfp.0575

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References

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Dance promotes functionality and psychosocial adjustment.²⁶ Hippotherapy, defined as therapy and rehabilitation during which the patient interacts with horses, can diminish muscle spasticity.²⁷ Aquatic therapy also may increase muscle strength.²⁸

Sports for patients with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is defined as persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction that are usually evident in the first 3 years of life.²⁹Autism can manifest with or without intellectual or language impairment. Patients with autism commonly have difficulty processing sensory stimuli and can experience “sensory overload.” More than half have a coexisting mental health disorder, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.³⁰

Vigorous exercise is associated with a reduction in stereotypic behaviors, hyperactivity, aggression, and self-injury in patients with autism spectrum disorder.

Aversions to foods and food selectivity, as well as adverse effects from medical treatment of autism-related agitation, result in a higher incidence of obesity in patients with autism.^31,32

Pre-participation exam. In addition to a comprehensive pre-participation exam, the Autism Spectrum Syndrome Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers are tools to screen school-age children with normal cognition to mild intellectual disability.³³ These questionnaires have limitations, however. For example, ASSQ has limited ability to identify the female autistic phenotype.³⁴ As such, these are solely screening tools. Final diagnosis is based on clinical judgment.

Special considerations. Include screening for constipation or diarrhea, fiber intake, food aversions, and common mental health comorbidities using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition criteria.²⁹ Psychiatric referral may be necessary if certain previously undiagnosed condition(s) become apparent. The patient’s caregiver can provide supplemental information

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