Parents who live physically active lifestyles serve as role models for their children to lead physically active lifestyles as well. Inversely to this, parents who lead an inactive or sedentary lifestyle are more likely to have children that live sedentary lives too. This makes sense when you consider that the rates of adults who are obese or overweight are near an all-time high in the United States and the rates of obesity and being overweight are at an all-time high for children. He’s already high rates are even more prevalent within the autism population. This magnifies the need for exercise autism therapy, to help children and adults with autism lose weight.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that children engaging in at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. These are merely the minimum recommendations for healthy lifestyle, but for many children in this country they’re still not hitting these minimum requirements. Similarly to the obesity and overweight rates, children and adolescents with autism on average engage in less physical activity than their peers. Because active parents on average have more active children, I believe the first major step to improving the rates of physical activity in children with autism is for parents to increase their physical activity.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise. This can easily be accomplished through regular walking or hiking for 30 minutes five days a week. This type of regiment it Is highly possible for many adult’s busy schedule. One of the most common excuses for not engaging in regular exercise and lack of time. However people are spending more time on their smart phones, in front of the television and on computers. If just 30 minutes all of this screen time is repurposed to walk for 30 minutes five days a week, adults can hit the minimum recommendations from the American Heart Association.
Exercise autism therapy is meant to teach children on the spectrum how to exercise and improve their levels of fitness. This does not mean that a child who receives exercise autism therapy, should not be engaging in physical activity outside their personal training sessions. Many of our clients receive personal training services one day a week, lasting 55 minutes. So even pay child who receives exercise autism therapy, can be falling under the required 60 minutes of physical activity each day. This is why it is so important for parents to be aware of how much physical activity both they and their children should be engaging in. This does not mean families need to fully change their weekly schedule, but making small changes each day to increase levels of physical activity can cumulatively results in and children meeting the requirements for physical activity.
One of the easiest and most attainable ways to increase physical activity is through regular walking or moderate to light aerobic activity. This type of exercise is appropriate for most individuals. Parents can set limits on screen time or other sedentary activities, so that their children spend more time engaging in more active forms of play. The great thing about walking is that this is an activity the parents can do with their children. So not only are the parents serving test positive physically active role models, but their children are engaging in some form of physical activity. This joint physical activity between parents and children is not limited to just walking either. Parents can take their gym with them regularly or engage in some other outdoor physically active leisure. Growing up I was regularly taken on bike rides, hikes and walks with both my parents. I believe this was a contributing factor to me being an active adult.
Some parents are interested and learning the exercise autism therapy strategies used by her trainers at Adaptive Exercise. Parents are welcome to observe all sessions conducted by our personal trainers. Our also happy to share information on the strategies we use within our sessions. This can be very effective in getting the most out of our personal training programming. Especially in the case of complex exercise movements that children cannot perform independently. This extra practice outside of our structured personal training sessions, can help children progress through their exercise program more quickly.
For parents who are interested supporting their child through their exercise program, but are not regular exercisers themselves, we recommend beginning with light to moderate physical activity. The last thing we want is for parents who don’t understand how to perform exercises properly teaching their children improper form or technique.
Regardless of what form of physical activity parents choose to do with their children, it is important to focus on safety. Beginning any form of exercise increases the chances of muscle or skeletal injury, so precautions need to be taken. First you should contact your family physician see if your child or yourself are ready to begin an exercise program. Once given clearance from your family physician, you must determine a form of exercise that is appropriate for your family. If you do not have any prior experience with exercise, it may be beneficial to contact a personal trainer. Likewise if your child does not have any prior experience with exercise, or cannot exercise independently contact us at Adaptive Exercise. Our personal trainers are specialized in providing exercise autism therapy. Adopting a physically active lifestyle does not happen overnight. It is better too slowly make changes that are realistic inappropriate for your family. Beginning an exercise program attempting to progress to quickly can result in injury or can make exercise aversive. By slowly implementing changes to your regular routines, you are more likely to adhere to the exercise program. This is the case with any form of exercise, even light walking. Active families are more likely to have active children, and it is unrealistic to expect your child to engage in regular exercise if you yourself are not regularly exercising. As parents you serve as the primary role models for your children. Let’s set a good example and be active.