Physical fitness promotes a healthy lifestyle; there is no better time than the start of a new year to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Being an active person attributes to more energy, physical strength, and a stronger immune system. For a person with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), being physically active can be a useful adjunct to traditional behavioral interventions, leading to improvement in symptoms, behaviors, and overall quality of life.
Introduce Physical Activity
When forming an exercise program for individuals with ASD, it is vital to consider the physical and cognitive capabilities of each individual and choose appropriate activities based on their capabilities. Help these individuals incorporate a healthy lifestyle and break into a new exercise routine by slowly introducing activities. It is important to work toward daily physical activity. Find activities they enjoy, such as running, walking, or a sport they find fun. Additionally, before starting any routine, it is best to help your loved one with autism know what to expect before actually doing any activity as they may
perform better when they know what to expect.
General Fitness Training
General fitness and play activities such as flexibility training, strength training, balancing, and cardio can all be great ways for individuals to be physically active. Eden II’s Physical Education Instructor, Jen Mauri, engages participants in circuit training, a form of general fitness, which is a combination of body conditioning, resistance training, and cardio exercises. Unlike structured team sports, general fitness and play focus on the overall health and well-being of individuals.
The fitness center at Eden II offers a variety of gym equipment, a professional staff, and fun activities to engage students in daily physical activity. According to Jen, “Our participants enjoy working out at our fitness center. The students are constantly moving and always being introduced to new exercises. Daily physical activity can help to improve a person’s overall quality of life and we are proud to help individuals with autism live their healthiest lives possible.” We wish you a happy and healthy 2018!
Eden II Programs helps the autism community by providing programs and services combined with lifespan support to improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families. Eden II has the greatest ability to help individuals with ASD reach their highest potential for independent, self-sustained living through high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, educational programs, adult day programs, group residential care, family support, respite, and a number of other services. Eden II Programs use the evidence-based practices of ABA to develop skills, promote independence, and change lives for the better.
For information on Eden II’s programs and services, please visit us online at eden2.org or email us at info@eden2.org.
