Teaching Students w/ASD 2.4: Inclusive PE Classes

The article "Autism in Motion: Can motor problems trigger social ones" emphasized the importance of "...therapies that teach people with autism how to move more fluently could also help them interact with others" and immediately I thought of the Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program. (Zeliadt, 2017) At my school for grades k and 1, students take part in the Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program which has a number of benefits for participants as strengthening motor skills, kinesthetic awareness, as well as social skills like turn-taking. In this program students like Macey have the opportunity to participate with her peers in a safe,  supportive environment while developing fundamental skills. We have an OT come in to train the grade 6s and 7s to run the variety of stations so that teachers can supervise. The warm-up, 6-7 stations, and cool down are completed over about 35 minutes. It's highly structured and each station visuals of what is expected at that station as well as a big buddy to support the ks or 1s. 

Another idea, and I have found this successful in my class, is yoga. I did single and paired yoga in my P.E. classes this year and found that the students loved it! Yoga has all sorts of physical and mental benefits such as visual-motor coordination, cognitive performance, and behavior improvements. (Jaraya et al., 2019) In addition to that, I have found that participating in yoga with a partner helps students develop relationships with each other. Trust and support (physically and emotionally) are important. I think students like Masey can benefit from the physical aspects of yoga on a mat, with mats around her to support her, and the pairing up for yoga poses could help her socially. 

Reference: 

Jarraya, S., Wagner, M., Jarraya, M., & Engel, F. A. (2019). 12 Weeks of Kindergarten-Based Yoga Practice Increases Visual Attention, Visual-Motor Precision and Decreases Behavior of Inattention and Hyperactivity in 5-Year-Old Children. Frontiers in psychology, 10, 796. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00796

Zeliadt, N. (2017, June 05). Autism in motion: could motor problems trigger social ones? Retrieved May 25, 2020, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-in-motion-could-motor-problems-trigger-social-ones/

Additional Resources for Inclusive Physical Education Classes:

Schoolyard's page: "How to Make Your Physical Education Class More Inclusive" has tips and modification and accommodations that can be helpful

Marathonkids.org's page, "Best Adapted and Inclusive PE Games" details games that are inclusive as well as adaptations and modifications.

Gophersport.com's "Exercise in Disguise: Fun PE Games and Activities" provides active and inclusive game ideas with helpful visuals.

What's your favourite inclusive PE game, activity, or resource? Share it in the comments.