Why Movement Is Medicine for Kids with Whole-Body Apraxia
If your child has whole-body apraxia or autism, you’ve probably seen how hard it can be for them to move the way they want. They may want to stand up, grab a toy, or walk across the room—but their body doesn’t always listen. That can be frustrating to watch, and even more frustrating for them.
This isn’t because they’re lazy or not trying. It’s because the signals between their brain and body are not working together the way they should. The brain knows what it wants to do, but the message doesn’t get through clearly.
But here’s the good news:
Exercise is one of the best ways to help to make new connections.
That’s right. Movement—especially when it’s done regularly and with purpose—can help your child’s brain and body connect better. Over time, exercise can lead to better coordination, stronger muscles, improved mood, deeper sleep, and even a stronger immune system.
Let’s look at why movement is one of the best things you can do to support your child with whole-body apraxia.
1. Exercise Builds Brain-Body Connections
Whole-body apraxia is a motor planning disorder. That means your child’s brain has a hard time planning, organizing, and carrying out movement. It’s not that they don’t want to move. Their brain just has a hard time sending the right message to the muscles.
But there’s a powerful solution: neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to grow and change. Every time your child moves—especially during activities like climbing, walking, jumping, or lifting—they’re helping the brain make new connections. And the more those movements are repeated, the stronger those connections become.
This leads to:
- Better coordination
- Smoother, more purposeful movement
- More confidence in using their body
Sometimes, though, it might look like your child is avoiding movement or seems uninterested. But this isn’t about motivation—it may be about difficulty starting. For children with whole body apraxia, initiating a movement is often the hardest part. That’s why things like motor coaching—which helps break down tasks into manageable steps—can be incredibly helpful. It teaches the body how to get started and stay on track.
2. Muscles Do More Than Make Us Strong—They Help Us Feel Our Bodies
Most people think muscles are just for lifting or strength, but they actually help us feel where we are in space. This is called proprioception. It’s one of the body’s “hidden senses” and is incredibly important for movement and balance.
Children with whole-body apraxia often have trouble with proprioception. That means they might not know exactly where their arms, legs, or feet are. They may appear clumsy, bump into things, or feel unsure when moving around.
But the great news is: activating muscle improves proprioception.
When your child does activities like:
- Crawling, climbing, or rolling
- Pushing a weighted cart
- Carrying heavy objects
- Lifting light weights or resistance bands
…they are sending strong signals to their brain. These signals help the brain map out where the body is and how to control it better. Over time, your child will feel more stable, secure, and in control of their body. This also helps them feel calmer and more regulated throughout the day.
3. Movement Releases Powerful Brain Chemicals
When your child moves their body, it’s not just the muscles doing the work—their brain gets a boost too.
Exercise releases special chemicals called myokines. Two important ones are cathepsin B and irisin. These myokines travel through the body and cross into the brain, where they help make something called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor).
Think of BDNF like brain fertilizer. It helps the brain:
- Grow new brain cells
- Strengthen connections between different parts of the brain
- Improve learning and memory
- Reduce anxiety and support emotional balance
One study (Erickson et al., 2011) found that higher levels of BDNF are linked to better memory, stronger focus, and a calmer mood. And what boosts BDNF the most?
👉 Aerobic activity (like walking, running, or biking) and resistance training (like lifting or climbing).
So when your child is running around, jumping on a trampoline, or lifting something heavy, they’re actually improving their brain health. At Spellers Center Tampa, we have a strong emphasis on movement during our sessions.
4. Exercise Improves Sleep, Mood, and Self-Regulation
Many parents of kids with apraxia or autism struggle with sleep issues, anxiety, and emotional regulation. These can be some of the toughest parts of parenting.
Here’s something encouraging: Exercise helps balance the chemicals that affect mood and sleep.
Physical activity increases:
- Melatonin, which helps with falling asleep and staying asleep
- Serotonin and dopamine, which help with mood, focus, and attention
- Endorphins, which reduce stress and promote calmness
A 2020 study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that just 20 minutes of moderate daily exercise helped autistic children feel calmer and more in control of their emotions.
This doesn’t mean you need to sign up for a gym or fitness class. It could be as simple as:
- A nature walk
- Obstacle courses at home
- A family dance party
- Swimming or jumping on a trampoline
Movement can be fun, simple, and family-friendly—and still have huge benefits.
5. Mitochondria: The Body’s Energy Factory
Let’s talk about something important you may not have heard much about—mitochondria.
Mitochondria are the parts inside almost every cell in the body that make energy. Think of them like tiny engines. If they aren’t working well, it’s like your child’s body and brain are running on low battery.
In many kids with autism or whole-body apraxia, the mitochondria don’t function as well. This is called mitochondrial dysfunction, and it can lead to:
- Low energy or chronic tiredness
- GI problems
- Weakened immune system
- Developmental delays or regression
- Higher levels of anxiety or even seizures
Here’s where exercise helps again. Movement improves mitochondrial health by:
- Increases the number of mitochondria in cells
- Helps them work better and make more energy
- Lowers inflammation that stresses the body and brain
- Supports better immune and brain function
One study (Hood et al., 2016) showed that regular aerobic and resistance exercise helps the body create new mitochondria. More energy = better movement, focus, and regulation.
6. Exercise Helps Gut Health and the Brain
There’s a lot of research now showing how closely the gut and brain are connected. This is called the gut-brain axis. If your child has gut problems—like constipation, food sensitivities, or bloating—it could be affecting their mood, energy, and motor skills.
The gut is full of bacteria. Some are helpful, and some are harmful. When the bad bacteria take over, your child might experience:
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty with movement
Exercise helps bring the gut back into balance. A 2023 study in Nutrients found that moderate daily exercise improved the gut microbiome in children—and that was linked to better behavior, focus, and mood.
Movement also supports:
- Better digestion
- A healthy body weight
- Balanced hormones
- A stronger immune system
7. The Research Is Clear: Movement Matters
We now have decades of research showing that exercise improves quality of life for children with autism and movement difficulties like whole-body apraxia.
Here’s what regular, intentional movement supports:
- Brain-body connection and motor planning
- Emotional control and mood balance
- Deep, restful sleep
- Metabolic and immune health
- Confidence and independence
These are not just small changes. For some children, this can be the key to breakthroughs in communication, attention, and connection with others.
And don’t forget—it’s great for parents, too!
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Consistent, and Celebrate Every Win
If you’ve been wondering whether exercise is really important for your child, the answer is yes—absolutely.
But here’s the secret:
You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to get started.
Try simple, playful activities at home:
- Push a laundry basket across the room
- Do animal walks like bear crawls or frog jumps
- Carry a backpack with some books inside
- Dance around the kitchen to your child’s favorite song
Even 10–20 minutes a day can help your child feel better, move more confidently, and regulate more easily. Every small step builds toward big progress.
So start where your child is today. Be patient. Be playful. And most importantly—keep moving.
You’re not just helping them move better.
You’re helping them build a stronger, healthier, more connected brain and body—for life.
Be sure to check out the Spellers Documentary to see how Spellers Method has impacted so many people’s lives.
