AUTISM AND SKATEBOARDING: WHY SKATEBOARDING CAN BE HEALING

Posted on 18 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in autism, skateboarding
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Autism and Skateboarding: Why Skateboarding Can Be Healing

Skateboarding is more than just a sport or a hobby; for many individuals on the autism spectrum, it serves as a powerful therapeutic tool. The unique combination of physical activity, focus, and community engagement that skateboarding offers can provide significant benefits for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The Therapeutic Benefits of Skateboarding for Individuals with Autism

1. Enhancing Motor Skills and Physical Coordination

Individuals with autism often face challenges with motor skills and coordination. Skateboarding requires balance, timing, and precise movements, which can help improve these areas. A study published in Pediatric Physical Therapy found that a structured skating program led to improvements in balance, motor behavior, and functional capacity in children with ASD.

2. Providing Sensory Integration

Skateboarding offers rich sensory experiences—feeling the board's movement, the wind against the skin, and the varying textures of different surfaces. These stimuli can help individuals with autism process sensory information more effectively, leading to better sensory integration.

3. Promoting Focus and Reducing Stimming Behaviors

Engaging in skateboarding requires concentration and can serve as a constructive outlet for energy. This focus can help reduce repetitive behaviors, known as stimming, by channeling energy into purposeful movement.

4. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem

Mastering new skateboarding skills can boost self-confidence. The process of learning tricks and overcoming challenges on the board translates to a sense of achievement and self-worth. As one parent noted, skateboarding allowed their child to experience success and increased persistence.

5. Facilitating Social Interaction

While skateboarding is often an individual activity, it naturally fosters social interaction. Skate parks and skateboarding events provide opportunities for individuals with autism to connect with others who share similar interests, promoting social skills in a less pressured environment.

The A.Skate Foundation: Pioneering Skateboarding Therapy

Founded by Crys Worley in 2009, the A.Skate Foundation offers skateboarding clinics tailored for children with autism. These clinics provide one-on-one instruction in a supportive environment, allowing participants to learn at their own pace without the stressors of traditional organized sports. The foundation has expanded its reach across the U.S. and internationally, demonstrating the universal appeal and effectiveness of skateboarding as a therapeutic tool.

Local Initiatives and Community Support

In Southern California, organizations like the A.Skate Foundation have hosted clinics in cities such as Whittier, creating inclusive spaces for individuals with autism to engage in skateboarding. These events not only provide therapeutic benefits but also foster community awareness and support for neurodiverse individuals.

STIX SGV and Community Engagement

In addition to its regular skateboarding programs, STIX SGV has hosted a community events aimed at supporting kids with autism and Duarte skatepark in 2010. STIX SGV collaborated with Autism Speaks and Etnies to host a skateboarding event at the Monrovia shop to raise awareness, providing a welcoming environment for children with autism to experience the joys of skateboarding.

Conclusion

Skateboarding offers a unique blend of physical, sensory, and social benefits that can be particularly therapeutic for individuals with autism. Through its individualistic nature and non-competitive environment, skateboarding allows autistic individuals to engage with the world in a way that feels safe, rewarding, and empowering. Whether it’s the meditative repetition of practicing a trick, the calming rhythm of carving a bowl, or the adrenaline release of landing something new, skateboarding offers real healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Organizations like the A.Skate Foundation have proven that when given access to this space, neurodiverse individuals can thrive. But it’s not just about large national programs—local communities play a crucial role too.

Here in the San Gabriel Valley, STIX SGV Skate Academy is part of that movement. With a growing number of students, including neurodiverse skaters of all ages, STIX has built a teaching model based around patience, one-on-one guidance, and a deep respect for skateboarding as both an art and outlet. Whether a skater is brand new to the board or learning how to ollie over their first curb, instructors at STIX SGV work to create a safe and encouraging space—one that recognizes how healing and transformational skateboarding can be for anyone, including those on the autism spectrum.

If you’re a parent of a child with ASD, or someone on the spectrum looking for an outlet that’s creative, physical, and calming all at once, skateboarding might be the unexpected solution. And there’s a community here—both globally and locally—that’s ready to welcome you to the session.

References:

Love That Max. (2019). The perks of skateboarding for kids with autism.
The Art of Autism. (2023). Skateboarding While Autistic.
The Hundreds. (2013). Askate: Skateboarding Therapy for Children w/Autism.
Askate Foundation. (n.d.). Our Mission.
Spectrum News 1. (2023). Bringing therapy through skateboarding to neurodivergent community.
PubMed. (2015). A therapeutic skating intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder.Skateboarding
Etnies teams up with Autism Speaks. (2010).

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.