Prompting in providing added sports is what sets Adaptive Exercise apart from traditional personal training services. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder present the wide range a physical and cognitive abilities, it is our job as personal trainers to provide the most appropriate autism exercise specialized training. Traditional personal trainers maybe appropriate for some individuals with autism, but for those need this extra level support our training can help them progress through an exercise program. Exercise offers a wide range of both physical in mental health benefits. We believe that every individual should have access to the numerous benefits of engaging in regular exercise. Benefits that can help improve physical health, contribute to social skills, help them in their education and in becoming more independent.
Traditional personal trainers use verbal language as the primary tool of instruction. At Adaptive Exercise that receptive language is a challenge for some people with autism. To mitigate this challenge, we use modified language in our autism exercise specialized training. Modified language is simple language used (typically 3 to 5 word utterances) just set clear instructions. These simple utterances are more easily processed by clientele with a wide range of receptive language abilities. An example of modified language being used to teach a squat pattern, would be the personal trainer saying “bend knees, bottom to ball”. This instruction is clear, easily understood and still conveys the exercise instructions. These modified language instructions may also be paired up with other forms of supports, to make learning exercises more manageable.
Physical prompting is another strategy we use at Adaptive Exercise to support our athletes in their autism exercise specialized training. Physical prompting is when the personal trainer physically manipulates the client’s body to perform a movement. Physical prompting can be broken down into prompt hierarchy, from most intrusive physical prompting to least intrusive physical prompting. These hierarchies allow personal trainers to track and fade these physical prompts over the course of a client’s personal training. Physical prompting is a good strategy to teach new exercises and to prompt clients to correct their form during known exercises. I’m example of the more intrusive physical prompt would be the personal trainer manipulating a client’s arms at the wrist to perform an overhead press. Overtime through data collection and analysis this intrusive physical prompt can be faded to a less intrusive prompt. A less intrusive physical prompt of an overhead press maybe the personal trainer manipulating the client’s arms at the shoulder. While the personal trainer is still providing physical prompting to perform the movement accurately, manipulation from the shoulder is far less intrusive than manipulation from the wrist. In some cases physical prompting can be faded and other forms of support or prompting can be used. Ideally athletes will be able to perform exercises independently and accurately with form integrity. Each individual presents a wide range availabilities so for some additional supports will always be needed.
Visual supports or prompts are another way we support athletes in our autism exercise training at Adaptive Exercise. There’re many different forms of visual supports. Physical modeling is one form of visual support. Physical modeling is when the trainer models the correct form of an exercise either prior to or simultaneously as an athlete is performing at the same exercise. This sets a clear expectation of what the client should be doing and how to perform the movement properly. Another form a visual supports is video modeling. Similar to physical modeling, a video model shows an individual performing an exercise properly. Video models can be used in the same manner as physical modeling. Mirrors and cameras are another great form of visual supports that personal trainers can use in autism exercise training. Mirrors and self directed cameras can show the individual exactly what they’re doing in real-time or following completion of a task. Personal trainers can use these to point out poor form or to reinforce when the athlete is performing the movement properly. All of these forms of visual supports can be faded over the course of training. Similarly to physical prompting not all individuals will be able to perform movements accurately inconsistently without some form of support.
Other types of supports maybe necessary depending on it individual’s ability and prior experiences with exercise. Token boards, schedules, and video routines are just some examples of additional supports that maybe required in order to provide the most appropriate and effective autism exercise personal training. The use of additional supports is typically addressed during the intake interview process. In order to provide the most appropriate and effective autism exercise personal training, we must gain as much information as possible through this process. Individuals who have a behavior support plan, individualized education plan or exercise recommendations from either a physical or occupational therapist, may require additional considerations to their programming. The more information that is shared from the family and the team, be more appropriate we can develop their programming.
At Adaptive Exercise we use Personalized Exercise Plans with each and every client. The programming is individualized for support and effectiveness. Through data collection and analysis over the course of the clients personal training our trainers can track client progression or regression in adapt the programming appropriately.
Regardless of your child’s physical or cognitive abilities, our trainers work so that they can progress through their fitness programming. Adaptive Exercise was developed because traditional personal training options are not always appropriate. We understand this and do our best to provide the most appropriate level of personal training for each and every client. Not every individual requires the same programming, exercises or levels of support. We also understand that not every individual will be able to perform exercises independently. In order to provide training that is not only effective, but safe we provide the most appropriate levels of support for each individual. Regardless of what level of independence an athlete is performing at, by engaging in physical exercise they are still accessing some of these benefits. Progression is not always linear, but through the use of data collection and analysis we work to support each athlete so they can access the benefits of exercise.