Autism Fitness FAQ’s

WHAT IS FITNESS?

Much confusion surrounds the term “fitness.” Is fitness about being better at sports? Is fitness about being big and strong? Is fitness only for particular children or adults? My philosophy is that fitness is the ability to successfully navigate through everyday challanges, from getting dressed to taking out the garbage to playing on the monkey bars. At the foundation of all human performance is fitness. One of the first challenges we face in life is movement against gravity. This involves becoming aware of our bodies and our surroundings. Children on the autism spectrum, as well as those with related disorders and other special needs often have movement deficits that are clearly evident, and many that are less-than-obvious.  Fitness, and well-designed exercise programs, are gateways towards some of the most crucial developmental objectives for young individuals including Self-Esteem, Self-Efficacy, and Socialization. Fitness should ultimately result in a developing a joy of movement and a lifetime of healthy activity.

Isn’t Fitness taught in school through sports and Physical Education?

It was, at one time. For the past several decades, general fitness has fallen out of most P.E. curriculums in favor of sports-focused activities. Without general fitness, two major problems occur; 1) Children do not develop the basic skills necessary to be successful, or even enjoy, sports and 2) Children who do not naturally gravitate towards a particular sport eventually cease all physical activity.  For individuals on the autism spectrum, fitness and exercise are often overlooked as life skills, however there is an abundance of research and clinical evidence supporting the dramatic benefits of implementing fitness programs for special needs populations.

What do children need to be doing?

Jumping, climbing, skipping, pushing, pulling, throwing, catching.  Essentially, playing. As a result of the deficits in socialization that individuals with ASD typically exhibit, creative and active play may be a rare, if non-existent activity. Beyond Boundaries develops individualized fitness programs that incorporate a wide array of activities all based in the five essential movement patterns:

- Pushing

-Pulling

- Level Change

- Rotation

-Locomotion

What does an Autism Fitness Session Look Like?

At Autism Fitness, a comprehensive assessment, the PAC Profile, created by Founder Eric Chessen is used to determine the physical, adaptive, and cognitive abilities of each athlete. From there, appropriate exercises, fitness activities, and strategies for teaching can be implemented.