How can physical therapy be beneficial for students with autism? 

Physical therapy, known in the UK as physiotherapy, helps autistic children and young people build the movement, balance, and coordination skills they need to take part in learning, play, and daily life. According to NHS children’s physiotherapy guidance, physiotherapy focuses on improving posture, muscle strength, and mobility, while promoting confidence and participation across school and community settings. 

Building physical and functional skills 

According to NICE guidance (CG170), movement-based activities should be tailored to each child’s developmental profile, using motivating and structured routines to support engagement.  

Supporting movement and coordination 

Many autistic children have differences in muscle tone, balance, or coordination. Physiotherapists use play-based and practical exercises to improve these areas and prevent long-term issues such as muscle tightness or postural imbalance. 
Specialist services such as Newcastle Hospitals Children’s Community Physical Therapy and the Royal Free NHS Physiotherapy Service provide individualised programmes designed to help children move with confidence and independence. 

A 2023 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that structured exercise programmes significantly improved fundamental motor skills such as locomotion, object control, and stability in children with autism, with added benefits for confidence and attention. 

Enhancing focus and sensory regulation 

Physical therapy supports not only physical ability but also sensory and emotional regulation. Movement-based activities such as climbing, stretching, and balancing provide essential feedback to the body that helps children stay calm and focused. 
A 2024 follow-up study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry confirmed that regular physical activity improved motor performance, cognitive function, and peer interaction among autistic learners, reinforcing its role in emotional wellbeing. 

Integration with EHCPs and school-based support 

Under the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014, physiotherapy is recognised as a specialist educational provision when a child’s physical or sensory needs affect their ability to learn. 

Physiotherapists often work with SENCOs, teachers, and families to adapt PE lessons, seating, or classroom environments. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) both highlight how early intervention and collaboration between education and health services can prevent long-term functional problems and support inclusion. 

Services such as Evelina London’s Children’s Physiotherapy Team and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust deliver school-linked therapy to help children with posture, toe-walking, and coordination challenges maintain progress across home and classroom environments. 

When to seek additional assessment or guidance 

If your child struggles with coordination, posture, or fatigue during school activities, a physiotherapy assessment can help identify specific needs. Autism Detect offers multidisciplinary autism and developmental assessments across the UK, rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Their clinicians follow NICE-aligned standards and can help families understand how physical and sensory-motor profiles relate to EHCP goals and learning participation. 

Takeaway 

Physiotherapy helps autistic children strengthen movement, improve balance, and manage sensory responses, all vital for school participation and confidence. When integrated into EHCPs and delivered through collaboration between schools, therapists, and families, physical therapy empowers every child to move, learn, and thrive.