Would you like to publish an article on Autism and fitness? I work for Suzanne Gray a nationally recognized fitness guru in Autism and fitness in Willowbrook, Illinois. Here's an article on fitness she wrote for Autism Awareness month:
AT-HOME FITNESS TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM RELEASED DURING AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
More than half of the nation’s children with Autism are overweight. Being overweight can cause numerous problems such as: bone and joint issues as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This has influenced Suzanne M Gray, a fitness expert, to create exercise programs for individuals with autism. Gray is the CEO of Right Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Willowbrook, IL, and has been creating fitness programs and working with individuals who have special needs for more than 30 years. She has seen how exercise improves an individuals’ motor skills, muscle tone, and socialization skills. Exercise is also beneficial in eliminating self-destructive and self- stimulating behaviors in children with Autism. Her latest program, “Five to Stay Alive,” consists of at-home activities recommended for children with autism to help fight obesity. They include: 1. Around the Block. Create a neighborhood path for children to follow and have your child run this path a designated number of times per day. He/she could wear a pedometer to measure steps and calories and track progress. 2. Raise the Bar! You’re a Star! Start with a dowel rod and raise it over head and back down. Eventually this can be substituted for weight bars. 3. Chair Squats. This movement is required for most power moves of the lower extremities and most athletic events. 4. Push-ups. If your child is able, have them do a designated number of push- ups every day. 5. Jumping Jacks. Again, depending on where children are on the spectrum, will make a difference in how many they can do. Chart all progress on a chart and keep track of repetition and loads. Offer incentives as motivators such as stickers or a fat-free dessert. Kids with Autism benefit greatly from exercise. A structured routine is essential to see results. Another fitness tip is to combine music and play with exercise because it enhances the child’s sensory response while boosting independence, happiness and self-esteem. “The biggest benefit”, says Gray “is weight loss”. Be sure to check out Suzanne’s book, “101 Games and Activities for Youth with Autism”, and her DVD “Raising the Bar: Exercises for Youth and Adults with Autism”, for more information on fitness for individual with Autism. To learn more about Suzanne Gray log on to www.right-fit.com.
That's a pretty disrespectful poster, especially for people with autism who can read and come across this article. Often people with autism are actually smarter than normal people in many ways, it's just in a different way they show this. I find the word "Inappropriate" with the toys in this poster quite rude, as these children are finding creative ways to sort and model these toys by colours, numbers, and other patterns that children are expected to model years later. This is coming from a person who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and other types of autism just need certain help to succeed, and that's not a good way to show it.
I would love to see this appear in all paediatric offices, early treatment can significantly improve the life of an ASD Child... PLEASE SHARE.
ReplyDeleteWould you like to publish an article on Autism and fitness? I work for Suzanne Gray a nationally recognized fitness guru in Autism and fitness in Willowbrook, Illinois. Here's an article on fitness she wrote for Autism Awareness month:
ReplyDeleteAT-HOME FITNESS TIPS FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
RELEASED DURING AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
More than half of the nation’s children with Autism are overweight. Being overweight can cause numerous problems such as: bone and joint issues as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. This has influenced Suzanne M Gray, a fitness expert, to create exercise programs for individuals with autism.
Gray is the CEO of Right Fit Sport and Wellness Center in Willowbrook, IL, and has been creating fitness programs and working with individuals who have special needs for more than 30 years. She has seen how exercise improves an individuals’ motor skills, muscle tone, and socialization skills. Exercise is also beneficial in eliminating self-destructive and self- stimulating behaviors in children with Autism.
Her latest program, “Five to Stay Alive,” consists of at-home activities recommended for children with autism to help fight obesity. They include:
1. Around the Block. Create a neighborhood path for children to follow and have your child run this path a designated number of times per day. He/she could wear a pedometer to measure steps and calories and track progress.
2. Raise the Bar! You’re a Star! Start with a dowel rod and raise it over head and back down. Eventually this can be substituted for weight bars.
3. Chair Squats. This movement is required for most power moves of the lower extremities and most athletic events.
4. Push-ups. If your child is able, have them do a designated number of push- ups every day.
5. Jumping Jacks. Again, depending on where children are on the spectrum, will make a difference in how many they can do.
Chart all progress on a chart and keep track of repetition and loads. Offer incentives as motivators such as stickers or a fat-free dessert.
Kids with Autism benefit greatly from exercise. A structured routine is essential to see results. Another fitness tip is to combine music and play with exercise because it enhances the child’s sensory response while boosting independence, happiness and self-esteem. “The biggest benefit”, says Gray “is weight loss”. Be sure to check out Suzanne’s book, “101 Games and Activities for Youth with Autism”, and her DVD “Raising the Bar: Exercises for Youth and Adults with Autism”, for more information on fitness for individual with Autism. To learn more about Suzanne Gray log on to www.right-fit.com.
That's a pretty disrespectful poster, especially for people with autism who can read and come across this article. Often people with autism are actually smarter than normal people in many ways, it's just in a different way they show this. I find the word "Inappropriate" with the toys in this poster quite rude, as these children are finding creative ways to sort and model these toys by colours, numbers, and other patterns that children are expected to model years later. This is coming from a person who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, and other types of autism just need certain help to succeed, and that's not a good way to show it.
ReplyDelete