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Autism is a complex neurobiological, developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood and often lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The hallmark characteristics of autism include an impaired ability to communicate and relate to others socially, a restricted range of activities, and repetitive behaviors such as following very specific routines. While the causes of autism are unknown and preventative measures have yet to be discovered, there does exist effective behavioral therapy that can result in significant improvements for many young children with autism. The most widely used behavioral intervention programs focus on developing communication, social, and cognitive skills. However, new research and anecdotal evidence suggest that some alternative therapeutic choices that include sports, exercise, and other physical activities can be a useful adjunct to traditional behavioral interventions, leading to improvement in symptoms, behaviors, and quality of life for individuals with autism.

Physical activity is important for children with and without disabilities alike as it promotes a healthy lifestyle, but can benefit individuals with autism in unique ways. In the U.S., 16% of children ages 2-19 are overweight, whereas the prevalence of overweight among children with ASD is increased to 19% with an additional 36% at risk for being overweight. ¹ This means that more than half of all children with ASD are either overweight or at risk. Being overweight can put children at increased risk for numerous health problems, both in childhood and as adults, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bone and joint problems, and even depression. The effects of these conditions may take an even greater toll on individuals with autism in combination with common autism symptoms and some highly co-morbid conditions such as gastrointestinal problems as well as depression and anxiety.

It has been suggested that decreased physical activity is the primary reason for the increased rate of overweight in children with autism, while unusual dietary patterns and the use of antipsychotic prescription drugs that can lead weight gain may also contribute. 1,2 Participation in physical activity may be challenging for individuals with autism because of reasons such as limited motor functioning, ³ low motivation, ⁴ difficulty in planning, ⁵ and difficulty in self-monitoring. ⁶ Increased auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli may too prove challenging for affected individuals. ⁷ Furthermore, physical activity involving social interaction such as team sports can present a difficult situation for someone with autism. However, if implemented appropriately, the addition of physical activity to an autism intervention program can help overcome many of these challenges and improve ones overall quality of life.

It is not surprising to discover that physical activity has been shown to improve fitness levels and general motor function of individuals with autism. A study of a 9-month treadmill walking program on weight reduction in adolescents with severe autism revealed that the program significantly decreased body mass index among the participants. Additionally, as time progressed through the study, the frequency, duration, speed, and elevation of the treadmill walking all increased, indicating a general rise in exercise capacity and physical fitness. ⁸ In a study of swimming training and water exercise among children with autism, ten weeks of hydrotherapy which included three, 60-minute sessions per week, resulted in significant increases in fitness levels indicated by changes in balance, speed, agility, strength, flexibility, and endurance. ⁹

Research has also demonstrated that increased aerobic exercise can significantly decrease the frequency of negative, self-stimulating behaviors that are common among individuals with autism, while not decreasing other positive behaviors. ¹⁰ Behaviors such as body rocking, spinning, head-nodding, hand flapping, object-tapping, and light gazing, that have been shown to interfere with positive social behavior and learning, 11,12,13 can thus be controlled by the use of exercise. Additionally, exercise can discourage aggressive and self-injurious behavior ¹⁴ while improving attention span. ¹⁵ In this study, aerobic exercise included 20 minutes of mildly strenuous jogging, however the aforementioned swimming and water exercise study also revealed a significant decrease in stereotypical behaviors in children with autism following a 60 minute session in the pool. ¹⁶ One theory behind these findings is that the highly structured routines, or repetitive behaviors involved in running or swimming, may be similar to and/or distract from those self-stimulating, repetitive behaviors associated with autism.

Besides improving fitness, motor function, and behavior in individuals with autism, among the most important advantages of physical activity are the social implications of participating in sports and exercise. Physical activity can promote self-esteem, increase general levels of happiness, and can lead to positive social outcomes, all highly beneficial outcomes for individuals with autism. 17,18,19 For those with autism who are able to participate in team sports, this presents an opportunity to develop social relationships among teammates and learn how to recognize the social cues required for successful performance on the field or court. However, individuals that prefer individual sports such as running or swimming that do not rely as heavily on social cues may still benefit from the positive attributes of physical activity while forming social relationships with coaches or trainers. In all cases, participating in sports provides individuals with autism with a role in society that may not have existed otherwise.

While there is evidence to support the role of physical activity in improving autism symptoms, behaviors and life-outcomes, sports and exercise should not replace proven behavioral interventions, but may be effective supplements to these therapies and potentially enhance the benefits. In fact, many of the key components of a successful physical activity program for individuals with autism mirror those that make up some of the most common treatments and behavioral interventions. For instance teaching new skills to children by breaking them down into smaller, organized tasks and then rewarding them for successful achievement is a core component of proven interventions such as ABA and TEACCH. 20,21 This technique can be readily implemented in teaching physical education to children with autism.

There is increasing interest in establishing program guidelines for enhancing physical activity among individuals with autism. A major reason for this is because research suggests that autism prevalence is increasing and has reached an all-time high. This means that there will be an increasing number of children with autism in schools, physical education classes, and on sports teams. While different individuals with autism may face different challenges in participating in physical activity, these children should still be given the opportunity to experience the benefits of physical activity. ²² And while the results may vary, based on all the available research and that which has been presented in this paper, the potential behavioral, physiological, emotional, and social benefits of physical activity for individuals with autism are numerous and should be further explored.

1 Carol et. al., 2005
2 Towbin, 2006
3 Reid et. al., 2003
4 Koegel et. al, 2001
5 Ozonoff et. al, 1994
6 Hughes et. al. 1994
7 O'Connor et. al., 2000
8 Pitetti, et. al., 2007
9 Yilmaz et. al., 2004
10 Rosenthal-Malek & Mitchell, 1997
11 Bass, 1995
12 Sugai & White, 1986
13 Kern et. al. 1982
14 Morressey, et. al. 1992
15 McGimsey & Favell, 1988
16 Yilmaz, et. al., 2004
17 Pan and Frey, 2006
18 Biddle et. al. 1998
19 Strauss et. al. 2001
20 Exkorn, 2005
21 Schultheis et. al. 2000
22 Todd & Reid, 2006

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Sports, Exercise, and the Benefits of Physical Activity for Individuals with Autism

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Autism is a complex neurobiological, developmental disorder that is typically diagnosed in childhood and often lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The hallmark characteristics of autism include an impaired ability to communicate and relate to others socially, a restricted range of activities, and repetitive behaviors such as following very specific routines.

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Gopher Sport offers high-quality gym and exercise equipment, athletic supplies and sports gear & physical education equipment, curriculum and resources.

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Kids with behavioral problems may do better in school when they get to play virtual-reality games on stationary bikes instead of participating in traditional gym class activities, a small study suggests.

At a school for kids with behavior disorders, researchers offered 103 students seven weeks of so-called "cybercycling" during either the fall or spring semester.

Cybercycling involves the use of stationary bikes for vigorous rides. The students started out cycling for just 10 minutes and worked their way up to more than 20 minutes over the course of the program.

When students didn't participate in the twice-weekly games on stationary bikes, they had traditional physical education with a focus on team sports, socialization and building motor skills.

When kids did cybercycling, they were 32 to 51 percent less likely to exhibit poor self-control or receive disciplinary time out of class, the study found.

Improvements were most pronounced on days the kids had gym but persisted throughout the seven-week intervention.

"Many studies have shown that aerobic exercise can help improve mood and behavior," said lead study author April Bowling, a public health researcher at Harvard University in Boston.

"When mood and self-regulation, which is the ability to control behavior, is improved, then children can be more successful in the classroom," Bowling added by email.

While the study didn't examine how or why different approaches to gym class might produce different behavior in school, it's possible the more intense aerobic activity offered by cybercycling produced better behavior and helped improve classroom dynamics throughout the week, Bowling said.

Most of the students were boys, about 12 years old on average.

About 40 percent of the students were diagnosed with autism, 60 percent were diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, 40 percent had anxiety disorders and 30 percent had mood disorders.

Both the number of disciplinary events and the amount of time missed from class due to behavior issues declined meaningfully during weeks kids participated in the cybercycling program, researchers report in Pediatrics.

Beyond its small size and limited number of female participants, another limitation of the study is that results from these students at a therapeutic day school may not apply to kids at traditional public schools, the authors note.

"It is important to see if their results translate into public schools, but as the authors point out, cybercycles are expensive and may be (too expensive) for most schools," said Sara Benjamin Neelon, a public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University in Boston who wasn't involved in the study.

It's also possible that the novelty of these particular stationary bikes, which many students wouldn't have tried before, might inspire them to be more active than they would be during gym class games they played many times before, Benjamin Neelon said by email.

"There may be some benefit in this new approach to physical activity that could wear off over time as children get used to the cycling - but only time will tell," she added.

Still, the findings suggest that parents looking to help children manage behavior problems may want to consider working brief bouts of intense exercise into kids' normal routines, Bowling said.

"They should not feel overwhelmed by the expectation that their child can only benefit if they exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, something that is very hard for many of these children and their parents to achieve," Bowling added. "Instead, focus on finding something that your child enjoys and starting off with 10 or 15 minutes at a time; walking the dog, hiking with you, playing active video games, whatever it might be."

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'Cybercycling' during gym class tied to better school behavior

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Kids with behavioral problems may do better in school when they get to play virtual-reality games on stationary bikes instead of participating in traditional gym class activities, a small study suggests. At a school for kids with behavior disorders, researchers offered 103 students seven weeks of so-called "cybercycling" during either the fall or spring semester.

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A new physical education trend is emerging: over 1,300 schools across Canada have started using stationary bicycles in their classrooms, according to an article published earlier this month .

Children often get anxious and fidgety at school, and the bikes have been helping with the restlessness. One child even reported that having exercise equipment in the classroom made her happy. Ever since it was introduced in the classroom, kids have been using the bike voluntarily to burn off extra energy and anxiety.

Usually, it only takes the students a few minutes on the bike to restore their focus. Then, back to work they go.

Teachers have been seeing results, claiming that the kids are sharper, more attentive, and their impulse levels go down significantly after they get off the bike. They are no longer restless and fidgety, and their attention spans last longer.

The introduction of stationary bikes in the classroom is part of a movement called "self-regulation," which speaks to teaching children the ability to understand their anxieties and emotions. Once they understand why they are feeling sad, angry, or anxious, kids can hit the reset button and come out of it calm, alert, and eager to learn. Exercise in the classroom is that reset button.

Many schools are suggesting that more kids walk to and from school, that some of the funding could go to making pedestrian areas safer for school-age children. That way, kids would have a way to burn off energy and be in nature. It has been proven that taking a walk and getting fresh air improves one's ability to think straight.

Regardless of the method in which a student exercises, physical activity works wonders on students: they arrive or return to their studies with a clear head and a sense of empowerment.

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Physical Education; Stationary Bikes Help Students Focus

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A new physical education trend is emerging: over 1,300 schools across Canada have started using stationary bicycles in their classrooms, according to an article published earlier this month . Children often get anxious and fidgety at school, and the bikes have been helping with the restlessness.

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Microsoft has filed a patent for the Xbox gaming Kinect controller for technology that appears to detect how many people are watching. - David Becker/Getty Images

This week we're looking at the relationship between video games and mental health. We're talking to game designers, researchers and occupational therapists.

Amanda Foran is an occupational therapist who works with children and adults who are on the autism spectrum. Foran, at Motion Therapy in Rockville, Maryland, has found that video games can be a meaningful physical activity for people on the autism spectrum, and can help them engage socially:

"To start out, look for games that have simple rules. Games like tennis and boxing tend to be very easy for everyone to learn quickly and they also tend to be highly interactive. Games that offer the motion capture technology, that shows the individual on the screen instead of an abstract character."

Foran favors the Xbox Kinect because it encourages full body motion and eliminates the need for a controller, which can be inhibiting for people with autism who may have more difficulty with fine motor skills or button sequence memorization. She also recommends playing with a partner:

"Since many individuals on the spectrum are already skilled at playing video games, families can encourage them to play with siblings or neighborhood peers, and it really might give them the opportunity to act in the expert role."

We'd love to hear about your own experiences with video games and mental health. Fill our our Public Insight Network survey, drop us a line @MarketplaceTech or comment below.

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This week we're looking at the relationship between video games and mental health. We're talking to game designers, researchers and occupational therapists. Amanda Foran is an occupational therapist who works with children and adults who are on the autism spectrum.

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Looking for the top Video-Game Consoles? Read our Video-Game Console Buying Guide from the experts at Consumer Reports you can trust to help you make the best purchasing decision.

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How Video Games Benefit Students with Special Needs

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How Video Games Benefit Students with Special Needs

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A lot has been said about video games over the years. They have been called addictive and harmful to children and adults, but this is not necessarily true for everyone. In fact, many people on the autism spectrum can benefit greatly from picking up a video game controller and playing to their heart's desire. How? Here are some of the ways:
Social Skills
As technology advances, more video games that connect you to other users all over the world are being introduced on the market. These video games, such as World of Warcraft, allow individuals on the spectrum to learn new social skills because it eliminates the need for intimidating face-to-face interactions. Video gamers can learn to communicate with others in a less threatening way, and they also don't have to think of things to talk about, since they share one common interest: the game.
Mistakes
People on the autism spectrum often fear or experience extreme stress over making mistakes in life. But, everyone makes mistakes while playing video games-if you didn't, you would immediately win the game and that wouldn't be fun at all. Allowing individuals with autism to play video games helps them become more comfortable with the idea of not being perfect, which is a beneficial skill to carry over to the real world.
Motor Skills
Many people on the spectrum often lack motor skills, but they can improve upon them by simply playing video games that require physical movement. Gaming systems such as the Nintendo Wii require you to act out the actions you want your virtual character to make in the game, so gamers have to learn how to control their bodies. Other games, such as those involving a touchscreen, can help people on the spectrum with their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Flexibility
Individuals with autism may be rigid in the way they approach problems and how they go about their day-to-day routines. Many teachers and therapists who work with individuals with autism focus on trying to get them to become more flexible and accepting of changes in their environment, and one way to do so is with video games. Gamers will quickly learn they must adapt their strategy with each new level of the game, otherwise they won't be able to move past it. Each new level or round of video games usually presents a unique challenge, which forces the gamer to think on his or her toes to come up with a solution to the problem. Putting children or adults with autism in these situations will be uncomfortable for them at first, but if they want to continue playing the game, they will have no choice but to become more flexible in their way of thinking. Over time, this will help individuals improve their problem-solving skills and handle change more gracefully in the real world.
Born and raised in Austin, TX, Hilary Smith is a free-lance journalist whose love of gadgets, technology and business has no bounds. After becoming a parent she now enjoys writing about family and parenting related topics. @HilaryS33

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How Video Games Benefit Students With Special Needs - The Asperger / Autism Network (AANE)

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A lot has been said about video games over the years. They have been called addictive and harmful to children and adults, but this is not necessarily true for everyone. In fact, many people on the autism spectrum can benefit greatly from picking up a video game controller and playing to their heart's desire.

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Safety Parachutes for Special Needs | Autism Play Parachute Toys

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Fun and Function offers a full selection of educational toys, games, and therapeutic products for special needs kids. Free Shipping for most items!

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Rainbow Parachutes | White Parachutes | Neon Parachutes | Specialty Parachutes | SuperChute Parachutes | Play Tunnels | AirLites | Parachute Accessories | About Parachutes Kids love playing with recreational play parachutes and we are dedicated to promoting this fun, healthy activity. Not only are play parachutes great fun, they also teach teamwork and cooperation.

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Maybe it's the bright colors, endless possibilities for fun, or the friends surrounding it; whatever it is, just the sight of a parachute makes kids yelp, jump, and nosedive. It's funny really. Their sheer delight cannot help but make anyone smile.

A parachute is a simple equipment piece that is a perfect add to any children's ministry environment. Parachute prices range from $20 to $100, but you can always acquire a used one at a great price. They are easy to store, have long-term play value, encourage cooperative play and teamwork, and can be used for many different age levels.

If you're looking for games to play at your next VBS, day camp, children's church, Awana, outreach, missions trip, or special event, bring out the parachute and get geared up for fun! Here are some simple parachute activities you can play:

1. Parachute Ripples: Have children hold onto the edge of the parachute and billow it up and down on the ground. You may want to pretend that you are creating ocean waves, sand dunes, a pizza bubbling with cheese, bubbles or balloons to pop, etc.

2. Parachute Ride: Have preschool children sit on the center of the parachute and take them for a ride with adult helpers pulling it in a circle. Repeat in the other direction. Allow the children to choose what ride they want to take: motorcycle, boat, car, bus, taxi, bike, etc. Act out each part: putting on the helmet, a seatbelt, or a life jacket, paying a fare, turning the keys of the ignition, etc.

3. Parachute Popping: Have children and adults seated around the edge of the parachute, with their legs underneath. Have everyone pull the parachute toward them so that it is taut. Throw lightweight balls (beach balls would be best), onto the parachute and watch them pop.

4. Parachute Launch: Have the children lift the parachute up above their heads and down with a quick fluid motion. Practice first and then throw balls on top. Watch them launch into orbit and see how far or high they go.

5. Parachute Peekaboo: For infants and toddlers, have them lay, sit, or stand underneath the parachute. Have adults play a game of peekaboo on their knees by hiding their faces momentarily with the chute and surprising the children.

6. Parachute Colors: For preschool and elementary children, assign them a color ahead of time. They can also choose their favorite color. Have everyone on the outside of the circle, slowly billowing the parachute up and down. Call a color when the parachute is lifted up and have the designated colors run under to cross to the other side before the parachute goes down.

7. Parachute Favorites: This is an adaptation of Parachute Colors and a way to get to know the children in your ministry. Pick categories of favorites such as favorite animals, pets, food, sports, teams, Bible individuals, book genres, flavors of ice cream or types of pizza toppings, etc.

8. Parachute Hot Air Balloon: Have students and adults billow the parachute up and down. On the count of three, have them step under, pull the parachute down in back of them, and sit on it to seal off the edges. You can sing songs once inside. With imagination, the balloon could also be a tent, house, a fort, the shade of a tree, or a cave.

9. Parachute Cat and Mouse: Everyone sits on their knees and billows the parachute up and down. One child is chosen to be the cat; another child is chosen to be the mouse. The mouse tries to make it all the way under the parachute by crawling, without getting caught. Meanwhile, the cat is on top of the parachute, trying to find the mouse.

10. Parachute Fly: Inform everyone that on the count of three, you will fly the parachute away. Pull it quickly towards you so that it looks like it's flying.

11. Parachute Pinwheel: Have everyone standing on the outside of the parachute and quickly pass it in one direction so that the colors spin. Repeat in the other direction.

12. Parachute Keep Off: Have some children stationed around the edges of the parachute and others in the surrounding area. Place balls on the chute. The children holding onto the parachute need to work together to toss the balls off. The children in the surrounding area work together to throw the balls back on.

13. Parachute Lean: Have everyone stand around the edges of the parachute and hold on. All at the same time, have children lean back while still holding on. Everyone should be leaning back, fully supported by the parachute and the team.

14. Parachute Tug of War: Roll up the parachute and separate the children into two teams. Have each team at either end, holding on. Use the parachute to play tug of war.

15. Parachute Jump: Have most of the children kneel or stand around the edges, billowing the parachute up and down. Say, "If your name is ______, _______, or __________, jump into these bubbles!"

16. Parachute Air Conditioning: With everyone standing up, simply lift the parachute up and down and enjoy the cool breeze that it gives everyone! This game is perfect for a hot day!

17. Parachute Friends: Partner your students up with another child and have them go to opposing sides of the parachute. Everyone can billow the parachute up and down. While it's going up, yell out, "Friends ________ and ___________!" Upon hearing their name, the children run under the parachute, give each other a high five as they cross paths, and find their way to the outside again.

18. Parachute Talk: Similar to the wordless book idea, go through each of the colors on your particular parachute and adapt as necessary. Have students sit on red, the color of Jesus' blood that was shed for our sins. Have students find a seat on green, the color of growth once Jesus comes into our hearts. Have them sit on yellow, representing heaven. Discuss what the Bible says about heaven. Have them scramble for a seat on blue, which represents baptism. Use the parachute as a teaching tool.
I am sure that there are numerous parachute games for kids out there, but these are some of our tried and true favorites. What other parachute games or activities would you add to the list?

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Maybe it's the bright colors, endless possibilities for fun, or the friends surrounding it; whatever it is, just the sight of a parachute makes kids yelp, jump, and nosedive. It's funny really. Their sheer delight cannot help but make anyone smile. A parachute is a simple equipment piece that is a perfect add to any children's ministry environment.

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A new piece of equipment is popping up in classrooms across Canada. It is not a new tablet or Smart Board, but rather a good old stationary bicycle, installed in more than 1,300 schools to help fidgety, anxious children burn off excess emotional energy.

CBC Radio host Connie Walker spoke on The Current with a number of educators to find out how the bikes are working. One primary-grade teacher from Nova Scotia describes the bike as an integral part of the classroom. "The kids go on it all the time. If they're feeling a little bit of energy, if they're feeling sad, if they're feeling angry, they bike for a couple of minutes. Off they get and back to work they go."

Educators can see a big difference when children are able to burn off steam in a physical way. Being physically active is important, not only for health, but also because it is related to better learning and cognitive function.

Grade 2-3 teacher Nicole Mount agrees: "After exercise, the kids are sharper, they're more attentive, less impulsive, not fidgety, and they're able to sustain their attention longer." The kids have had positive reactions too. One little girl says the bike makes her feel happy.

The introduction of stationary bicycles is part of a broader discussion among educators about "self-regulation" in the classroom, defined loosely as "your own ability to calm yourself and understand your anxiety so that you can reset your situation in order to become calm, alert, and ready to learn." More formally, self-regulation is the "idea that children start to understand themselves and the demands being asked of them and are able to deliberately navigate their engagement."

Self-regulation is a hot topic these days because of the sheer number of children experiencing stress and anxiety. Teacher Nicole Mount describes it:

"Some kids come to school frustrated before they even get to school or they're sad or they're angry or they've had a bad morning. Maybe they didn't have breakfast. It could have been anything. So we just wanted to try to see if having the bikes in the classroom made a difference."

It is wonderful that teachers have physical strategies such as stationary bikes, standing desks, movement breaks, and stretch sessions to burn off emotional energy, but it leads to other questions. One is, what's causing all of this emotional distress?

Secondly, what if kids were simply allowed to walk to and from school each day? If a portion of the cost of stationary bikes were allocated toward improving the safety of pedestrian routes to school, then kids could burn off energy, connect with nature, and arrive at school feeling clear-headed, calm, and empowered by independence - the very same emotions for which educators strive using the bicycles.

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Stationary bicycle create calmer, more focused children in the classroom

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A new piece of equipment is popping up in classrooms across Canada. It is not a new tablet or Smart Board, but rather a good old stationary bicycle, installed in more than 1,300 schools to help fidgety, anxious children burn off excess emotional energy.

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Benefits of Physical Education for Students with Special Needs

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Benefits of Physical Education for Students with Special Needs

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It is an undisputed fact that young and old must strive for a healthy lifestyle. This means kids, teens and adults must keep mentally and physically fit. Children with special needs most definitely benefit from having a balance in all aspects of their life: social, physical, and mental. My post today will bring out the benefits of physical activity for a child with special needs and what is available to make this happen.

Your child is not able to take part in regular gym class or team sports? Become informed about all the adaptive sports and adaptive physical activities for children with special needs. Talk to other parents and follow special needs parenting blogs.

Kids with physical disabilities face challenges. Some youth have limited mobility and/or tire more easily than other kids and teens. For some kids with sensory issues, communication challenges or difficulties with social skills, team sports are simply not fun. Kids with side effects from medication, those who are always overtired from lack of quality sleep and youth who are overweight and not physically fit at all will not enjoy many organized activity programs. What is the solution?

Physical Activities for Rural Kids

I was certain when I started researching to write this post that I would find how disadvantaged rural special needs families were in regards to adaptive sports and physical activity. This is still true in many areas especially with sport teams because the special needs community and the support and funding are not there in numbers great enough to make it work. But rural areas have wide open spaces offering ample opportunities for families to enjoy walks, bike rides, horse back riding and lots of unstructured physical activities.

Video Game Systems Designed for Exercising

Surprisingly what IT technology has done to social communication technology it has also opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for helping your child with special needs to exercise right in your home. No real sport equipment is required. No more driving or watching for good weather to play outdoors. No schedules to follow. Furthermore, these new, interactive electronic games/activities can be played with more than one player helping foster social skills.

Each video game has many levels of difficulty so your child will find the one he needs. Read about them and choose the game that best suits your child and the area of development you wish to improve. You can find games that address some of the following areas strength, endurance, gross motor development, balance, coordination, body awareness, hand-eye coordination, timing of movements, following sequences, etc. Choose the game that fits your child's needs... or start with one that your child will LIKE to play because he is good with that skill. His boost in self-esteem might motivate him to try new skills in a different game.

If families find it too expensive to have these games in their homes, schools and community-based fitness centers and programs, like public gyms or local YMCA's, already have Wii games and exercise modules in place for the use of their members/students. There are also other such games available and new ones coming out all the time:

Wii Fit Plus Bundle includes the game software and the Wii Balance Board

DanceDanceRevolution Bundle Bundle includes game and DDR dance mat controller for Wii

Wii Spots Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Bowling and Boxing in the comfort of one's living room

Kinect Sport Ultimate Sport Collection: two best-selling Kinect™ game wrapped into one - 13 great sporting games - basketball, Soccer, American Football, Bowling, Beach Volleyball, Table Tennis, Boxing, Golf, Tennis, Skiing, Darts, Baseball

My Child Does Not Like Sports or Any Physical Activity

No form of sports or physical exercises interest your child? Promote other activities that involve moving/movements that will almost have the same end results. These come to mind and they are great for all the family and some are relatively not expensive. Can you add others in the comment box?

Collecting rocks, leaves, flowers, insects...

Photographing the objects others would collect or different balconies, unique door knockers, various signs, windows, roofs, birds...

Gardening...flowers, herbs, vegetables, fruit trees, berry bushes, small green house...

Watching birds, squirrels, bugs, frogs....

Playing catch with a dog, throwing a ball back and forth with a friend.

Sitting on huge balls and keeping your balance.

Learning to juggle, stacking cups, arm wrestling...

Flying kites, making huge soap bubbles...

Using hula hoops, gymnastic ribbons, dancing,

Skipping ropes, hop scotch games, playing hide and seek

Bowling, table tennis, swimming pool games

Enjoying a playground, playing in your back yard on swings, slides...

Steps In Planning Physical Activities for Kids with Special Needs

Do it right and have peace of mind. Meet with your family doctor, pediatric physical therapist or a pediatric occupational therapist and have your child evaluated and find out what sports/physical activity would be suitable for him or her. Be sure you're aware of any risks your child faces, get familiar with the proper safety precautions needed and familiarize yourself with any equipment needed. Almost any kind of disability can be accommodated with adaptive exercise/sport equipment or certain technique adjustments.

Benefits of Physical Activity for Children with Special Needs

All individuals benefit from regular physical activity and children with special needs especially. We could all gain from these physical, mental and social benefits of being active.

See improvements in muscle strength, coordination, and flexibility.

Improve exercise endurance, cardiovascular efficiency, and possibly increased life expectancy.

Experience better balance, motor skills and body awareness.

Will show improvement in behavior, academics, self-confidence and building friendships.

Will have positive changes in their health, quality of life and boost to their self-esteem.

Gets to experiences a sense of accomplishment and possibly the taste of winning or personal satisfaction.

Experience increases in attention span, on-task behavior, and level of correct responding.

Will increase appetite and improve quality of sleep.

Will see a decrease in secondary health complications like obesity, high blood pressure, low HDL ("good") cholesterol and diabetes.

Will find an outlet for their physical energy, will help them cope with stress, anxiety and depression.

Physical Education Programs Available in Schools for Students with Special Needs

Children with Special Needs are children first with the same needs and desires as their peers. The difference is that some of these students need adaptations and extra support.

In the United States to support their ability to learn in school, three Federal laws apply to children with special needs:
* The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1975)
* Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
* The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990).

PE Central site states: "Special physical education/Adapted Physical Education (APE) is a federally mandated component of special education services [U.S.C.A. 1402 (25)] and ensures that physical education is provided to the student with a disability as part of the child's special education services." Physical education involves physical fitness, motor fitness, fundamental motor skills and patterns, aquatics skills, dance skills, individual, group games, and sports (including lifetime sports).

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Public Law 108-466 (2004), states that physical education is a required service for children and youth between the ages of 3-21 who qualify for special education services because of a specific disability or developmental delay. A personally designed program will be outlined in the child's Individual Education Program/Plan (IEP).

Under US federal law, children with special needs are entitled to participate in organized sports, physical education and recreational programs unless their presence puts them or someone else in danger. Many cities and towns now offer adaptive recreation classes and sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, softball, swimming, bowling, and tennis...Kids with special needs can enroll in summer camps, Scout groups, dance groups, yoga classes...which now cater to all groups of youngsters.

Parents Must Be Role Models

Parents must be role models for an active lifestyle. Lead by example, make it a family affair and best of all have fun! Use your imagination and find fun, clever ways to get your child moving indoors or outdoors.

How do you make sure your child with special needs get his required daily amount of physical exercise?
See also:

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Children with Special Needs: Benefits of Physical Activities and Adaptive Sports

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It is an undisputed fact that young and old must strive for a healthy lifestyle. This means kids, teens and adults must keep mentally and physically fit. Children with special needs most definitely benefit from having a balance in all aspects of their life: social, physical, and mental.

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Tips on Teaching the Arts to ASD Students

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Tips on Teaching the Arts to ASD Students

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Regular physical activity helps students succeed in school - and in life. Bring physical activity back to America's schools with Let's Move! Active Schools.

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In todays world technology is being used everywhere because of its many benefits and its simplicity. Technology is even playing a large role in education, it is helping teachers present information more efficient, fun, and interactive to help improve the students learning experience. But as a physical education teacher I feel that in our content area we are falling behind because of the lack of technology we are using in our classrooms. For us to help our students understand the importance of physical activity and have them reach their full potential it is critical that the physical education world beginning to embrace and take advantage of technology in our classrooms.

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Technology in the Physical Education Setting

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In todays world technology is being used everywhere because of its many benefits and its simplicity. Technology is even playing a large role in education, it is helping teachers present information more efficient, fun, and interactive to help improve the students learning experience.

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parachute play parachutes cooperation directions development educational parachute games play safety activities balls

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Parachutes can be a lot of fun for children and also provide them with the benefits of teamwork, cooperation and the development of stronger social skills.

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4 Adapted Physical Education Activities- parachute, flag tag, scooter basketball and crab soccer

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Adapted Physical Education for The Autism Spectrum

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Xbox Kinect offers a new way to help children with autism

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At an elementary school in Virginia, teachers turn to the Xbox Kinect to help motivate students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and improve their social skills, a growing trend in ASD therapy. 02:01