Autism fitness programs are now appearing due to increased autism awareness. Yet, these programs may not cater to everyone’s needs. It would be best to consider certain challenges and potentials of each individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to tailor the ideal adaptive fitness routine.Here are some tailored methods for individuals with ASD that you can try to see how each exercise contributes to their overall well-being and lifestyle.
1. Ball Tap and Hold Exercises
The instructor will present a ball or sandbell at varying distances before the individual. This setup prompts the individual to engage in bending, rotating, and reaching movements to grasp the object. You might have to use one or both of your hands, moving them up, down, to the right, or the left. Instructions might follow a specific sequence or be presented in a random order.
2. Hurdles or Obstacles Courses
This activity entails stepping over low hurdles, as the name implies. The instructor should guide the person with ASD to follow the correct form to do the routine. The instructor’s continuous encouragement helps to motivate participants during challenging moments in the exercise.
If the person improves, the instructor can place the hurdles in different positions to add variation to the exercise. Also, if the student with ASD is prepared, the teacher can assist in jumping over.
3. Star Jump Exercises
Perform star-shaped jumps, resembling jumping jacks, to derive benefits similar to traditional jumping jacks but with varied motions. In this autism fitness exercise, the person should perform multiple jumps consecutively with their arms and legs as widely spread as possible, imitating a star.
Depending on their preference, participants can attempt jumping forward, sideways, or backward for an added challenge. Repeating this up to 20 times or until they feel tired in subsequent sessions is suggested.
4. Team Sports Activities
Like people with physical disabilities, people with ASD struggle to participate in sports because of low muscle tone. Yet, numerous sports are tailored for individuals with autism, offering them opportunities for increased physical engagement. These activities include swimming, cycling, soccer, and even martial arts.
Playing team sports can improve social skills for individuals with ASD, fostering interaction, friendships, and physical benefits. That way, they won’t feel so secluded and different from everyone else, boosting their mental health.
5. Art and Music Therapy
Participating in music and art therapy promotes emotional stability, creative expression, and sensory familiarity. Music therapy involves listening to and creating music and playing instruments. On the other hand, art therapy comprises activities such as painting, drawing, and sculpting. A qualified therapist oversees these sessions to promote emotional expression and foster interpersonal bonds.
6. Dance Routines
Autism fitness dance sessions foster holistic development, combining tailored movements, music, and sensory elements to encourage expression and engagement. Skilled instructors lead structured routines, emphasizing coordination exercises and sensory integration techniques, promoting confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
7. Nature Walks or Hiking
Nature walks and hiking expeditions offer individuals with autism an enriching opportunity to engage with the natural environment, promoting sensory exploration, physical activity, and emotional well-being. These outdoor activities provide a platform for sensory stimulation, relaxation, and motor skills development in a natural and serene setting.
Experienced guides lead nature walks, tailoring paths to suit preferences and abilities during hiking excursions or similar trips. They encourage sensory exploration by highlighting the natural surroundings’ sights, sounds, and textures, fostering a deeper connection with the environment.
8. Mindfulness or Yoga Meditation
Mindfulness and yoga meditation provide valuable tools for promoting emotional regulation, stress management, and sensory integration in individuals with autism. This type of autism fitness offers a calming and reflective approach to fitness, fostering self-awareness, relaxation, and overall well-being.
During mindfulness or yoga meditation sessions, trained instructors guide participants through gentle and calming exercises, emphasizing deep breathing, gentle stretching, and focused attention on the present moment. The sessions are conducted in quiet and soothing environments, fostering a sense of peace and tranquility.
The instructors encourage participants to practice mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, body scanning, and guided visualization, allowing them to develop heightened self-awareness and emotional balance. These techniques promote sensory regulation, reduce anxiety, and enhance mental clarity and focus.
9. Weight Training
This autism fitness exercise involves using resistance equipment such as free weights, resistance bands, or weight machines to target specific muscle groups and enhance overall muscular endurance.
During weight training sessions, individuals with autism are guided by trained instructors who provide clear instructions on proper form and technique. The sessions are tailored to accommodate individual abilities and preferences, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for effective strength-building exercises.
10. Autism Career Training
Most strategies for ASD cater to children, so how about when they grow up? That’s when autism career training becomes beneficial. This training session will enhance and help people with ASD to think of the career they want to pursue and achieve.
Aside from people with ASD, people who want to teach and guide them can also undergo proper training. For instance, caregivers and health practitioners can enroll in autism training for teachers. That way, they can provide the necessary care and guidance for people with ASD as they strive for a healthy lifestyle and bright future.
Benefits of Autism Fitness
Engaging in fitness activities tailored for individuals with autism can yield numerous benefits, including improved motor skills, sensory integration, emotional regulation, and social interaction. These specialized autism fitness certification programs foster a supportive environment that encourages overall well-being and empowerment, promoting a holistic approach to health for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Physical
You know that regular physical activity is vital in maintaining good health. However, determining the right amount of exercise can be challenging. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise spread across three days each week is recommended for overall well-being.
Given your busy schedule, you can divide this time in various ways. For instance, to meet this requirement, you can opt for several short workouts, such as 30 minutes on five days a week or 50 minutes on three days.
Even less than 150 minutes of exercise per week can offer some health benefits, though to a lesser extent. An exercise regimen including walking, running, or swimming can yield significant health benefits. Also, strength training with weights or resistance machines and flexibility exercises like stretching or yoga can further enhance these effects.
These benefits include a decrease in resting heart rate, a reduction in body fat, and a lowered risk of heart disease. Noticing changes in your body fosters a sense of control over your health. It marks a significant first step in adopting exercise as a valuable self-regulation tool for individuals with ASD.
To further enhance the physical benefits, people with ASD can undergo autism training certification. This session can also create a sense of achievement for the person, which leads you to the next benefit.
Psychological
Practicing autism fitness not only shapes your body but also changes your brain’s response patterns, can also reduce stress and improve your ability to handle challenges. Gradual increases in exercise intensity can enhance mental clarity and emotional resilience. Creating positive exercise experiences is crucial for maintaining workout habits.
While individual exercise programs are often more beneficial for individuals with autism, facing challenges during fitness activities can improve attention and awareness skills. The exercise environment, whether indoors or outdoors, offers opportunities for developing life skills that aid in community integration.
Neuroendocrine
Children with ASD often exhibit higher cortisol levels, the stress hormone, which can negatively impact metabolism and contribute to diabetes and heart disease. Elevated stress levels can lead to cortisol imbalances associated with high blood pressure and compromised immune function.
Similarly, persistent negative moods can disrupt eating patterns, potentially causing overeating. However, regular exercise can trigger a sense of reward, aiding individuals with ASD in managing emotions and reducing stress.
This autism fitness activity can replace anxiety and fatigue with composure and renewed energy. Considering exercise as a therapeutic tool, health professionals endorse physical activity as a valuable supplement to medications in treating depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
Sensorimotor
The exercise environment offers many chances to regulate your sensory responses, whether under-responsive or over-responsive, especially in the proprioceptive and vestibular systems.
For individuals with ASD, maintaining physical contact with exercise equipment, such as gripping free weights or cardio machine handles, can reduce tactile defensiveness.
As you become adept at modifying your workout’s pace, intensity, and length, you can anticipate, control, and adjust to the sensory input. This routine can decrease impulsive behaviors, reduce repetitive movements, increase safety awareness, and prepare you for more demanding sensory fitness experiences.
Promoting Long-Term Wellness for People with Autism
Taking an autism-friendly approach to fitness involves more than just exercise; it represents a path toward empowerment, inclusivity, and overall well-being. By customizing adaptive fitness routines to accommodate the specific requirements and abilities of individuals with autism, you establish a more accessible and rewarding fitness journey.
If you want to experience autism therapy training and get adaptive fitness certification, you can sign up today to save 50% on your enrolment.
