Massage Therapy and Autism

Research evidence exists that shows massage therapy may be helpful in effecting some of the symptoms and behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder. (J Clin Psychiatry 2011;72(3):406-411).  Around 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and anecdotal reports and studies such as the one sited here, continue to suggest that massage therapy may benefit people with ADS. Nurturing touch and regular sensory integration appear to reduce the social, communication, behavioural and learning challenges associated with ADS.