W-Sitting: Is It a Sign of Autism?

As any parent should do, you pay attention to all of the little details of how your child is developing. You may notice that your child sits on the floor with knees bent and legs splayed outward, and you may even wonder if there is a W-sitting autism connection.

W-sitting is actually quite common in young children and comes naturally to them. However, some parents, educators, and medical professionals may believe it is due to a developmental condition.

Is W-sitting a classic autism sign, or is it just another way kids want to sit? Let’s get right into this.

What is W-sitting?

A W-sitting position is where a child sits on the floor with inwardly bent legs and feet positioned just outside their hips. When you view it from above, it may look like a W shape.

This posture can mean a wide base of support, which allows kids to stay stable while they play, draw, or engage in other seated activities.

Why do some children prefer W-sitting?

For many children, W-sitting can be very comfortable and convenient because they don’t need to make much effort to keep their balance. This may allow them to focus on their activities instead of being distracted by keeping their bodies upright.

Some common reasons that children sit in this position include:

• Flexibility: Some kids with increased hip rotation, hypermobility, or loose joints may sit this way because it’s easier and more natural for them.
• Low muscle tone (hypotonia): Children with hypotonia may W-sit for extra stability, as it requires less muscle engagement and feels more comfortable.
• Poor postural control: Many kids struggle with balance and may choose W sitting because it requires less core engagement and provides extra support.
• Sensory-seeking tendencies: Legs pressing the floor may create sensory input that calms children who are sensory-seeking.

However, despite these reasons, W-sitting doesn’t always mean there is an issue that needs addressing. The key is to observe whether they can sit in other positions. If they can, W-sitting isn’t a concern.

Is W-sitting a sign of autism?

There is no confirmed correlation between W-sitting and autism. However, some parents who come across information about W-sitting may wonder if it’s a potential sign of autism.

Autism affects social skills, communication, sensory processing, cognition, and behavior, distinguishing it from neurotypical development.

When you see kids W-sit, it’s best not to assume it’s autism right away. Many other factors can indicate whether or not a child may be autistic. These include:

• Social differences: They may struggle with maintaining eye contact, having back-and-forth conversations, and socializing with their peers.
• Repetitive behaviors: They may exhibit behaviors like hand-flapping, rocking, or intense focus on specific topics while ignoring others.
• Sensory sensitivities: They may seek or avoid sensory input by covering their ears, avoiding certain textures, craving deep pressure, and more.
• Communication challenges: They may have delayed speech, repeat phrases (echolalia), or struggle with picking up nonverbal cues.

If you have numerous other concerns besides W-sitting, it may be a good idea to talk about these potential signs with an autism specialist or pediatrician.

W-sitting and autism: Why does it happen?

Some autistic children may prefer W-sitting for physical and sensory-related reasons, such as:

Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)

Low muscle tone can be quite common in autistic children. Kids who struggle with this may have a hard time keeping an upright posture when they sit in other ways.

W-sitting improves core strength and balance in people with low muscle tone, allowing for better stability. However, long-term W-sitting can weaken core muscles, making activities that require postural control more challenging.

Sensory processing differences

Autistic children often have limited or intense sensory responses to various stimuli, and W-sitting can provide much-needed grounding and security.

For instance, some children who have proprioceptive challenges may feel more stable in a W-sit position because they have more direct contact with the floor. This can create better body awareness.

Motor coordination challenges

A child may struggle with motor planning and coordination, which makes W-sitting more accessible than other positions.

Compared to cross-legged sitting, where a person needs to shift their weight and more strongly engage with their core, W-sitting requires minimal effort to stay stable. 

Is W-sitting harmful?

If a child only occasionally sits in a W position and can naturally outgrow it, this is usually not concerning.

When W-sitting becomes a long-term habit, however, it can lead to: 

• Hip and knee strain: Excessive inward hip and knee rotation can lead to more joint stress and discomfort. 
• Weak core muscles: Because W-sitting allows external stability, it limits a child’s need to engage with their core muscles.
• Tight hamstrings and hip muscles: Sitting in a W position for too long can lead to muscle tightness, which can affect a person’s flexibility and movement.
• Poor posture habits: Over time, postural control and balance could be a struggle for those who W-sit too frequently.

If a child shows signs of pain in these areas or refuses to sit in other ways, this is when it’s a good idea for you to encourage them to sit in different positions.

How to encourage different sitting positions

If W-sitting is becoming a habit, here are some ways you can encourage the child to engage in healthier postures:

Consider introducing alternative sitting positions, such as:

• Cross-legged (“crisscross applesauce”): Encouraging this posture will allow better core engagement and flexibility.
• Side sitting: This is a good alternative that can better allow floor play.
• Kneeling or half-kneeling: This can really help build leg muscles and core strength.

Strength-building exercises may also be of help. Some of the common ones include:

• Bridging exercises: These exercises strengthen core and hip muscles.
• Balance activities: Such activities improve motor planning and coordination.
• Animal walks (bear walk, crab walk): These are fun activities that allow full-body engagement without the person having to think too much about how they engage their body.

Don’t forget to make it fun! Here are some ideas to consider:

• You can use visual cues such as floor mats with designated sitting spots.
• Always give positive reinforcement and encourage the child when they choose alternative sitting positions.
• Try to add fun activities to the child’s day that allow lots of movement and flexibility.

When you gently guide a child in these areas, they’ll likely develop healthier sitting habits over time, allowing them to enhance cognitive abilities.

Should you worry about W-sitting?

Most of the time, W-sitting is simply a comfortable habit that kids will naturally outgrow. However, if a child only W-sits, experiences pain, struggles with balance and posture, or has other delayed motor skills, it may be time to consult a professional.

While W-sitting can occasionally be a thing with autistic children, it doesn’t indicate autism on its own. Instead of only focusing on how a child sits, you should take a deeper look at the following:

• how well they are meeting other milestones, 
• how different they are from their peers, 
• their movement patterns,
• their sensory preferences.

You should think about whether your child’s overall movement and posture are healthy. If they aren’t healthy, encourage alternative seating and core-strengthening activities, or seek therapy or a specialist if needed.

FAQs

Q: Is W-sitting an autistic trait?

A: W-sitting isn’t a specific autistic trait because many neurotypical children also sit this way.

Q: Is it OK for kids to sit in the W position?

A: It occasionally is okay. However, if they do so long-term, it can lead to muscle imbalances and joint strain.

Q: How do you fix W-sitting?

A: You should encourage other ways for them to sit and introduce them to activities that will strengthen their core.

Q: What sitting positions should be avoided?

A: Any sitting positions that cause pain, excessive strain, or limited mobility should be kept to a minimum.

The post W-Sitting: Is It a Sign of Autism? appeared first on Autism Parenting Magazine.

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