Autism is a very complex syndrome that affects the person in the early years of their development. Although each individual with this disorder is unique, there are common characteristics that can be found in most autistics. Exercise is important for people with autism, although they are often reluctant to do this activity. Physical activity benefits everyone, but for autistics it is an experience that gives them particular benefits. It is very important to try to motivate the autistic person to exercise, to keep themselves healthy and to potentially improve their social skills.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Motivating Autistic Teens and Adults to Exercise
Step 1. Make sure your surroundings are calm and relaxing
During the exercises there should be no noise or other forms of disturbance and distraction. In addition, the place where the exercises are done should be pleasant and relaxing.
- There must be no other people around, as this would make the autistic person confused and worried.
- A natural environment with trees, plants and fresh air is the best choice.
Step 2. Try to give visual instructions, to facilitate learning
Instead of giving instructions by speaking, use visualization methods, such as photographs, drawings, videos. Many autistic people get confused when they are given directions verbally. However, they can clearly understand verbal instructions when accompanied by pictures.
For example, if you want to teach an autistic to play basketball, show him television shows or videos of teams playing
Step 3. Send strong encouragement to create the right support
The encouragement will be the most important part of your job. You will need to encourage and convey enthusiasm to the autistic person. The best way to do this is to do the exercises yourself, showing her how to do it and putting all the joy and enthusiasm you can into it.
- It would not be fair to urge the autistic person to exercise hard while you just sit there watching and giving instructions.
- Participate in the exercises, showing how much fun you have.
- Showing your personal enthusiasm and encouragement is a good start.
Step 4. Try to understand what his passions are, to make activities more enjoyable
Find out what physical activity they are interested in. Many autistic people will show enthusiasm for the physical activities that interest them, and perhaps you can find a way to engage them by starting with the activities that interest them most.
- If they enjoy watching sports on television, you may want to involve the autistic teen in a sports version of the program that is safer and does not involve physical contact.
- Some physical exercises or sports can increase their interest in motor activity, leading them over time to develop other forms of exercise.
Step 5. Make sure you provide immediate feedback, to ensure a sense of achievement
Immediate feedback is important for autistic people. If the activity is promptly rewarded, the chances of it being repeated by the autistic person increase, because the center responsible for the feeling of satisfaction will have been activated.
Similarly, if the exercise was done incorrectly, kindly show the correct way to do it
Step 6. Try to involve the autistic in the Paralympic Games, to provide competitive input to the activity
Many people have exposed the autistics they were caring for at the Paralympics as an effective way to encourage them to pursue physical activity on a regular basis. If the autistic person finds a sport they like, it could bring the interest to a competitive level.
- Involving the autistic person in the Paralympic Games shows him that there are similar people who are also successful athletes.
- If they admire a particular athlete, they may develop an interest in playing the sport that the athlete plays.
Step 7. Adapt a physical education regimen to the home school curriculum
If the teen is studying at home, include exercise in the daily schedule. These exercises must be fun and exciting in order to engage the teenager.
- You could also get the whole family involved by organizing a group excursion.
- The excursion can become part of a science class, studying nature on site while walking with the whole family.
Step 8. Encourage physical activity with music
Many autistic people love music, and dancing to their favorite songs is a fun way to exercise. There are several ways to introduce music to your family member.
- Wii Fit provides several activity games that can be played at home. With this system, you can exercise safely, in a familiar environment.
- 'Just Dance' is a very popular game and can be a fun way to get active.
- Even with the games of Dance Dance Revolution you can have fun with interactive dance.
Step 9. Relieves the autistic person's hesitation by making the activity enjoyable and fun
Make the exercises seem easy, and the adult or teen will be less recruiting to participate. There are many ways to make exercise fun.
- Turn exercises into games, first making sure the person is passionate and interested.
- You could even put up a video and show yourself involved. A video showing exercises, accompanied by beautiful music, will make them seem less burdensome.
Step 10. Try martial arts, thus encouraging physical activity that promotes discipline and focus
Many autistic people love martial arts. This activity requires following precise rules, consistency, and discipline. Through this sport, autistic people can build self-esteem.
The environment and the rules have a significant impact on the success of their performance
Step 11. Do not turn on the computer or television until the exercise session is completed
Have the teen do at least half an hour of exercise before allowing them to watch television or play on the computer. You can also use these tools to engage the autistic person in physical activity.
Step 12. Teach some actions with assistance and autonomy technique
If the autistic person has poorly developed verbal skills, you will need to use this technique to teach the exercises. This is a step learning method, where you teach a physical activity by fully assisting the movement and then gradually reducing the accompaniment, until the movement is done in complete autonomy.
For example, to help someone learn to catch a ball, you will need to hold their hands in your hands and assist them in catching the ball. Afterwards, you will have to hold his wrists and assist him in the movement again, then you will move on to the arms and finally to the shoulders. Autonomy will be achieved when you no longer assist any part of the other person's body with your hands
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Why Autistic People Might Hesitate to Exercise
Step 1. You must understand that autistic people have limited interests
They often only focus on a narrow range of interests and activities. If a business doesn't fit their interests, it can be very difficult to get them involved. It is important to understand their hesitation before starting to motivate them.
Do not force it too much, or you will appear overbearing and this will make the autistic person close in on himself
Step 2. Be aware of the motor limitations of the autistic person
It is not uncommon for autistics to have some reduced motor skills. Certain motor problems, for example, can make a person unable to throw a ball.
- The autistic person may feel uncomfortable not being able to participate successfully in certain physical activities.
- The inability to successfully participate in activities can be very daunting, so make sure you provide plenty of alternative exercises.
Step 3. Take note of the sensory sensitivities
Autistic people can be highly sensitive to certain sensory stimuli. This sensitivity can impair their ability to participate in certain activities and even make them unbearable.
- The bright lights of a gym or soccer field can be unpleasant or even painful for an autistic person.
- Take non-apparent sensory sensitivity into consideration when starting to motivate the autistic teen or adult.
Step 4. Understand that having trouble planning can be daunting
Autistic people struggle to form an exercise program. Without assistance, they are unable to plan and follow a physical activity regimen on their own. Help them by creating a routine and keeping a record of the hours they spend exercising.
Recording your milestones during the exercise program can be a good way to increase motivation and gain confidence in performing the exercises
Step 5. Be aware of the social handicap
Many physical activities involve team play, which at some level will require social interaction. This can lead the autistic person to fear team sports.
Find individual forms of physical activity, such as running, biking, yoga, swimming
Part 3 of 3: Knowing How Autistics Can Benefit From Physical Activity
Step 1. Exercise helps autistic people maintain a healthy weight
Obesity has become an epidemic in America and a serious problem in other parts of the world. In the US, 15% of children are overweight, and lack of exercise and a poor diet are worrying aspects, especially if autistic children suffer from it, because for them the risk of obesity is greater.
- About 19% of autistic children are overweight, and 36% are at risk.
- Being overweight in childhood increases the risks of health problems in adulthood.
- Motor activity will counteract the problems associated with obesity.
Step 2. Exercise brings social benefits
Sports and physical activities will provide autistic people with the opportunity to work on their social skills. There are many sports that are based on team play, but at the same time also focus on individual success. This type of sporting activity is both a social opportunity and the possibility of achieving personal success.
- They provide opportunities to interact socially without the emphasis on verbal communication.
- This is evident in activities such as running, swimming etc.
- Starting with a basketball team may be too much for an autistic, because the person may not be ready for that kind of social environment.
Step 3. Exercise can decrease repetitive behavior
Doing physical activity has a positive effect on the repetitive behavior typical of autistics. Activities such as aerobics and running have been shown to decrease this type of repetitive behavior.
For example, swimming incorporates repetitive behaviors that can decrease repetitive behavior outside the pool
Step 4. Exercise can alleviate the side effects of medication
If an autistic person is on pharmaceutical therapy, they may suffer from its side effects. For example, antipsychotics commonly used to treat serious ailments can cause weight gain, and exercise can counteract this.
Step 5. Take into consideration that motor activity helps promote self-esteem
Self-esteem is essential for our inner well-being. Being involved in physical activities can help an autistic person improve the way they see themselves, especially if it is an activity in which the person excels.
