It is easier for children with autism to have access to sports programs that are run by people who understand how to communicate effectively using autism-friendly strategies. Challenges can include managing situations that are aversions for individuals with autism. Aversions can be things such as loud noises, as well as active & social situations. Environments can be altered to be more motivating for children and teens who have been diagnosed with autism so that they can attain their daily 1 hour of exercise in an enjoyable manner that they look forward to attending.
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In a Sept. 5th 2018 article by Sean Healy on the Autism Speaks website, Mr. Healy identifies 4 main benefits of exercise for children with autism. The information below is from Sean Healy’s article, which can be accessed through the website https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-exercise-benefits.
4 Main Benefits of Exercise for Children with Autism:
- Social Skills
Sports can improve their social and communication skills. It also helps improve strength. Practicing sports provides a safe environment for anyone with autism to learn and practice social skills. There is a wide variety of ways that can be helpful for the specific skill you are trying to develop to help improve social interaction. For example, if you want to improve social interaction, a two-person activity such as tennis can be helpful. - Fitness
Muscle strength & endurance can be enhanced for children with autism. For example, horseback riding and aquatic exercise are activities that will help achieve this for autistic children. Why are strength & endurance helpful? The reason is to engage in social activities that are non-structured games & recreational sports for social interaction and for overall physical health. - Skill-related fitness
Lower fitness skills can be lower for children with autism. Visual-motor control, balance, body coordination are some areas that may be challenging for individuals with autism. How to increase these skills include trampoline jumping, table tennis, and computer-based exergaming. Horseback riding is also an activity that can be helpful for motor-skill training. - Motor Skills
Catching a ball, throwing a ball, and running are all fundamental motor skills that can also lead to many social opportunities for individuals with autism. Engaging in exercise activities helps with improving mot
Reference:
Healy, S. (2018, Sept. 5). Autism and exercise: Are there social benefits? Autism Speaks [Website]. Retrieved on 11/1/20 from https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-exercise-benefits
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CAL Sports can offer physical activity opportunities to children with autism. I have personally had experience with assisting children with autism. I remember a special young man with autism that I assisted throughout the years. His dad worked with me in a corporate setting and recently contacted me to express how impressed he was with the work I did to help his son through physical activity engagement. Since I began working with his son, he explained that he saw many positive social ability changes. In fact, he sent me a video of a speech that his son presented to his school. He felt that the physical exercise and sports-related activities that I was assisting him with assisted his son with attaining greater social skill achievements.
Please consider CAL Sports Academy for your child’s physical exercise and sports-related skill development if they are autistic. Engaging them with sports can increase social skills, motor skills, and ongoing physical engagement to maintain health.
You can contact me (Corey Lord at CAL Sports Academy by email at office@calsportsacademy.com or phone at 1-844-CAL-EDGE (844-225-3343).