Not Awareness, Awesomeness. Fitness for the Autism Population

AutFit Logo SmallApril is Autism Awareness month, and rather than just let people know that autism exists, it is important to integrate individuals with ASD into the community. A particularly outstanding way is through fitness programs. There is a surge of interest building in fitness programs for individuals with autism. As with any population, regular physical activity promotes some significant benefits for those on the autism spectrum.

CIMG1665Strength and motor planning deficits are common among the autism population. In addition, most individuals do not have regular access to good quality (or any) fitness programs to develop fundamental strength and movement skills. The most significant differences between implementing fitness programs for the ASD population and “neurotypical” individuals are the considerations of adaptive and cognitive abilities.

EC Summer  2009 PromptingMany individuals with autism find new activities, especially those of a physical nature, aversive or less-than-enjoyable. Below are some general guidelines for developing and implementing fitness programs that, with time and good coaching, can become reinforcing for any individual.

1)      You can’t force fun. This is the first rule in Autism Fitness programming. You cannot assume that any activity, no matter how enjoyable it is for others, is going to be immediately exciting for individuals with autism.

2)      Meet them where they’re at. Athletes will vary in their physical, adaptive, and cognitive needs. Always start at the current or baseline level of ability.

3)      Use foundational movement patterns as the basis for programming. Pushing, pulling, squatting, and locomotion should guide the show.

4)      Provide behavior-specific praise. Not just “great job,” but “Great job bending knees on that squat!” Let the athlete know exactly what he/she is doing correctly

5)      Start with short intervals of activity and build up based on an athlete’s physical progress and adaptive skills (what exercises they can perform, at what progression level, and how motivated they are to participate)

Eric Chessen Movement LecturesEric Chessen, M.S., is an Exercise Physiologist and the Founder of Autism Fitness. For more information, visit AutismFitness.com and his blog, EricChessen.com

3 thoughts on “Not Awareness, Awesomeness. Fitness for the Autism Population

  1. D3 what is the raw material of your products
    DMG-TMG you do not put in the raw material on the label
    Example some Vitamin D labels shows fish oil
    GOD BLESS
    SINCERELY
    ROBERT

    • All of our labels list every ingredient in the supplement facts panel along with the exact dosage of that ingredient. All of this information is also available on our website. Our DMG supplement contains only 100% N,N Dimethylglycine Hcl. Likewise our TMG supplement contains only Trimethylglycine also known as betain anhydrous. There are absolutely no other ingredients, excipients, fillers or additives of kind in either of these two supplements.

  2. All of our labels list the exact ingredients in the supplement along with the exact dosage of every ingredient. All of this information is also available on our website. Our DMG supplement contains only 100% N,N Dimethylglycine Hcl. Likewise our TMG supplement contains only Trimethylglycine also known as betain anhydrous. There are absolutely no other ingredients, excipients, fillers or additives of kind in either of these 2 supplements.

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