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As Cindy Piletic, Ph.D., mentioned in her past editorial, the "Adapted Physical Education" section editors are going to try to highlight a particular disability in each of our upcoming editions.
The intent is to provide a common ground for the discussion of the Adapted Physical Education needs of individuals with a particular type of disability.
In this edition, we will highlight autism.
Carol Huettig, Ph.D.
Section Editor
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A comprehensive list of camps designed to provide therapy and to provide respite for families is included at wizard.ucr.edu. This thorough directory of camps was developed, and is maintained, by a father in memory of his son with autism. As such, the directory is carefully constructed and the list of camps is selective.
Project TEACCH
Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicaps
Project TEACCH is a comprehensive approach to teaching learners with autism. The TEACCH mission is to enable individuals with autism to function as meaningfully, and as independently as possible in the community.
The role of the physical educator and adapted physical educator is clear: to provide learners with autism the opportunity to develop and practice the skills which will be needed to enjoy a full and rich life that includes leisure, recreation, sport, and fitness activities.
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Children with Autism: A Parent's Guide
by Michael D. Powers
Amazon.com
Book Description
For both the new parent coping with a child's recent diagnosis and one who's an experienced advocate, Children with Autism is a must-have reference. It is the trusted, respected source of information on autism and the other conditions within the spectrum of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD).
Keys to Parenting the Child With Autism
(Barron's Parenting Keys)
by Marlene Targ Brill
Amazon.com
Book Description
Autism is a developmental disorder that affects a child's communication, behavior, and social skills. This new edition has been updated to reflect current trends and technologies used in diagnosing and treating autism. Parents will find balanced and up-to-date information on therapy, education, health care, and other areas.
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Increasingly, our children are threatened with the loss of play opportunities because of:
Misguided administrators who want all of a child's time at school to be spent on "academic tasks."
Decreasing "green" space, replaced by strip malls and huge parking lots.
Unsafe neighborhoods where children, literally, are not safe to "go out and play".
The International Association for the Child's Right to Play is trying to refocus the attention on the critical right of children to play.
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| PE for Individuals with Autism |
The primary resource on the world wide web regarding physical education for individuals with autism is Project INSPIRE, hosted by Texas Woman's University.
The site provides specific information regarding autism and strategies for accommodating learners with autism in physical education and aquatics.
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I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher, I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
It is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized.
Haim Ginott [1971]
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Use of Physical Activity to Improve Behavior of Children with Autism
Two for One Benefits
by John O'Connor, Ron French, and Hester Henderson
"Physical activity is vital for a healthy lifestyle for children with, and without, disabilities (Huettig & O'Connor, 1999). Physical activity offers a variety of benefits for individuals with autism. Following moderate aerobic activity, children with autism may experience increases in attention span, on-task behavior, and level of correct responding. A physical activity-based program is easy to implement, and has been shown to be effective in controlling many types of inappropriate behaviors associated with autism.
Children with autism may experience initial difficulties in physical activity programs because of inability to cope with the variety of auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli in wide-open spaces. This inability to cope may be demonstrated by various behaviors, such as over sensitivity to stimuli (i.e., outbursts, pacing, hand flapping, toe walking); deficits in speech, language, and cognitive capacities; desire to avoid changes in routines; and difficulties transferring lessons from one setting to another."
Read the rest of this article here.
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Room 5
by Chris
"Room 5 is a classroom web page dedicated to helping parents and teachers of
students with autistic spectrum disorders. Here you will find classroom and home ideas as well as links to my favorite sites. Enjoy your stay, and be sure to send me a note if you have any questions."
Strategies for Teaching Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
by Chris
"The information at this site has been gleaned from a variety of sources. It consists of information and ideas which have been used in my classroom. All suggestions do not work with all students. What works for me may not necessarily work in your classroom.
Be sure to check back often for updates."
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If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Adapted PE Section Editors:
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Help to support quality physical education and health education by contributing to this site.
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Autistic disorder is defined as a presence of marked abnormal and impaired development in social interaction, communication, and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interests.
The autistic disorder must manifest itself before age 3. An autistic disorder adversely affects an individual's performance. The term does not apply if an individual's educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the individual has a serious emotional disturbance.
[DSM IV]
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A Physical Education Based Program for Learners with Autism
Daily Life Therapy is of particular interest to physical educators, because physical education is a critical component. The following description of DLT is taken from their web site.
The primary focus of Daily Life Therapy is to establish stability of emotions gained through the pursuit of independent living, and the development of self-esteem.
The secondary focus is extensive physical exercise to establish a rhythm of life. Physical education provides benefit in the following areas:
Vigorous physical exercise is related to the release of endorphin which is a natural inhibitor of anxiety, helps reduce aggression, and inhibits self stimulatory behavior and hyperactivity. It increases on task behavior and helps the children to sleep better at night.
The children gain control of their bodies and consequently, of their behavior. They develop self control, and learn to co-operate and co-ordinate activities and exercises with other children. They learn to ride the unicycle, roller skate, and master the balance disc. Physical education is viewed as a bridge to social development. Dr. Kitahara viewed play for a child, not just as something he or she did, but as life itself.
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Autistic Kids
Autistic Kids is a resource website created by a father who discovered that his own son was autistic. The mission of Autistic Kids is to provide information on products, services, and other resources for families of autistic children of all ages. It is their intent to provide relevant information that can be used right away. They strive to include timely articles, product and service links, school contact information, and updates on the ever-changing laws that effect the lives of our families.
PlaySteps Autism Teaching Materials
Building Skills for Special Children
Children with special needs often require extra help to learn to play with toys. The new PlaySteps books teach constructive play, step by step, and are recommended for children 3-8 years old. The books have been field tested for two years with students with autism and multiple disabilities, and provide a helpful tool for parents and teachers targeting independent play skills.
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