Copying Postures for Older Kids with Autism 👦🏽🧠 | Imitation & Motor Planning | Pediatric PT #17

I’m glad to share another session with my wonderful co-instructor, Eeshwar 👦🏽 — a 12½-year-old boy with autism. He is nonverbal and communicates primarily through movement (pulling adults toward what he wants), with limited prompted use of a communication app. In today’s video, we work on copying simple actions, a foundational skill that supports: 🧠 learning 🗣️ receptive & expressive language 🤝 social interaction 🧩 fine & gross motor development We use YoGorilla Cards by Super Duper, a movement-based visual tool that allows imitation tasks to be graded thoughtfully from easier to more challenging positions. 🪜 Imitation Teaching Progression This session demonstrates the step-by-step progression I use when teaching imitation, especially with older children with autism: 1️⃣ Verbal cue only 2️⃣ Prior demonstration (he watches first, then tries) 3️⃣ Immediate / simultaneous demonstration 4️⃣ Physical assist, then withdrawn to see if he can hold the position independently 5️⃣ Full assistance needed to assume and hold the position I always begin by asking whether a child can do a movement without assuming they cannot, then scaffold support as needed to help them succeed. 🎯 What Eeshwar Practices in This Session Bending knees with arms overhead Holding symmetrical postures (without mirroring) Seated postures with open arm positioning (“W” position) Some actions come more easily with simultaneous modeling, while others require slower pacing, repeated visual attention, and short success holds. This highlights how imitation skill development is highly individualized and should never be rushed. 👩🏽‍👦🏽 Family Involvement Matters Eeshwar’s mom, Sravani 💜, is actively involved and positioned where he can clearly see her. Children often copy best from people they love, and her presence helps: ✨ increase engagement ✨ support attention ✨ reduce frustration We also pace the session carefully, keep expectations clear (“first work, then reward”), and celebrate effort and success along the way 🎉🙌🏽. These strategies help build stronger imitation, motor planning, and functional communication skills — foundations that carry over into daily routines for older children with autism. 🕒 Timestamps 0:03 Introduction 0:15 Meet Eeshwar & his mom 0:27 Why imitation matters for learning 0:39 Introducing YoGorilla Cards 0:48 Standing imitation setup 1:10 Attempt without demonstration 1:25 Demonstration & visual cueing 1:52 Simplifying the movement 2:17 Holding for a 3-count — success 🎉 2:53 Seated “W” position imitation 3:40 Postural observations & support 3:55 Final success & praise 4:18 Subscribe & bell reminder 🔔 🎥 Watch Eeshwar’s Full Video Series Follow his progress from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjNhgwqxI9_oTLYJgDFfMmIu 🌐 Stay Connected Website: www.pediatricPTexercises.com Facebook: Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises Email: amysturkey@gmail.com (I cannot provide treatment recommendations for a child I have not personally evaluated.) 📚 Children’s Educational Books P is for Poop and Pee Accidents https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 A is for Anxiety https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR C is for Cerebral Palsy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP D is for Down Syndrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 A is for Autism https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB 📘 Professional Books for Pediatric Therapists Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD 🌍 Captions To turn on captions: Click CC To translate captions: Settings → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate