776 BCE (first recorded Olympic games)

Bellis, M. (2024, June 7). The history of sports. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-sports-1992447

A certificate is not required to join a group sport activity.

Any parent or caregiver can sign their child up for a group sport activity through searching online for "youth sports" or "recreational leagues" in their area, + checking with local schools and parks and recreation departments. 

Members cost range: $75-$160

Non-member costs: $97.50-$320

Sports options:

-Dance

-Tumbling

-Soccer skills + drills

-T-ball skills + drills

-Basketball skills + drills

-Sports sampler

-Sports league

-Soccer

-Basketball

-Gymnastics

It is important for parents/caregivers to choose the most appropriate activity, and how to best support their child's participation.

Parents/caregivers need to understand that this is both a long-term (promotes social integration + enhances overall well-being) and short-term process (improves motor skills + social skills) so this should not only be used as a short-term goal.

Teachers can provide opportunities for physical activity and create a supportive environment for children with ADHD + ASD.

Staff. (2024, November 6). Top sports for autism: Best activities & benefits: Jade aba. JADE ABA THERAPY. https://jadeaba.org/best-sports-for-autism/

-OT led sports-based groups provide opportunity for children to strengthen their gross motor skill, develop their social connections, learn new sports, foster a sense of connection, and build confidence.

-OTs can adapt and modify activities to suit the needs of the individuals and group to provide the ‘just right challenge.

-OT led sporting groups focus on developing basic skills that are transferable across a variety of sporting activities, such as passing and throwing, following a rhythm, agility, and endurance.

-With the support of OT’s, sporting groups are a great place for children to develop the social skills they require at school, in the community, and in later life.

-OT led sporting groups provide supported opportunities for development across a range of areas, extending beyond the physical.

-OT led sports groups specifically provide a child the opportunity to transfer skills they have developed within their individual sessions into a new environment.

Leisure - Leisure participation

Social Participation - Peer group participation

Education - Informal personal education needs or interests participation

Coordinates- Balancing, running, jumping, and kicking.

Proprioception- Helps with body awareness and coordination in relation to the environment, which is key during contact sports or team sports.

Costalonga, D. A., Crozier, A. J., Stenner, B. J., & Baldock, K. L. (2020). Sport as a leisure occupation in Occupational therapy literature: A scoping review. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(3). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.035949

• Attention (using attention scales, continuous performance tests)

• Perseverance (higher attendance rate, greater task completion, and more sustained participation in sports)

• Cooperation (improved teamwork, rule-following, and peer interactions)

• Conflict resolution (fewer aggressive outbursts, better sportsmanship)