Autism Therapy: infant massage

definition of infant massage: Deeply rubbing a baby using techniques that are specific to babies.

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Vagal Activity, Early Growth, and Emotional Development
Infant Behavior & Development, by Field, T., and Diego M., published in 2008, summarized Sep 17, 2008

Massage therapy may help young children with autism to have better social behavior, use more facial expressions, and make more sounds.

The vagus nerve is important for the nervous system and social function. The vagus nerve goes from the brain to the gut, heart, ears, mouth, and voice. Children with autism have low activity of the vagus nerve. People with lower vagal activity also tend to have higher stress hormone (cortisol) levels and lower levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin. This review article describes vagal activity and how infant massage can be used to increase vagal activity.


Enhancing Interaction Through Positive Touch
Young Exceptional Children, by Pardew, EM, and Bunse C., published in 2005, summarized Feb 6, 2007

Positive touch is a form of infant massage that can help to strengthen the bond between a parent and a child with autism.

Families of children with autism are often overwhelmed by all that needs to be done to care for the child with autism. Sometimes the stress of caring for a child with autism can get in the way of the very important parent-child bond. Positive touch allows the parent and child a time to bond and make the child feel good. In addition to setting aside time for massage, the authors suggest that parents learn to include positive touch in their routines throughout the day. The authors state that it is important for parents to always ask permission to use positive touch on a child.


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