Dance classes are being offered to young people with autism in Greater London to encourage them to don their gym clothing and take part in regular exercise.

Hillingdon Autistic Care (HAC), which is based in Middlesex, has invested in ten dance mats to use in the exercise sessions.

The money for the mats was left over from the Hillingdon Youth Opportunities and Youth Capital Fund budget.

Stephanie Mullally, HAC's recreation coordinator, said: "The main barrier to exercise that our clients with autism face is that they are socially excluded due to the complex nature of their disability."

She went on to say that the instructors of mainstream exercise classes or sports groups often lack the knowledge and skills required to meet the needs of autistic youngsters.

According to Daniel Hawthorne, writing on autismtoday.com, physical activity is vital in helping autistic children to function well in society.

He claimed that this is because exercise increases the flow of oxygen to the brain.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-800114735-ADNFCR

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