Athletics for Children with Autism By Sarah Gugel Autism Spectrum Disorder O Neurological disorder that affects development O Characterized in three core areas: O Poor social skills O Impaired speech O Physical repetition Who is Affected? O The Centers for Disease Control estimates: O 1 in 150 children diagnosed in 2002 O 1 in 50 children diagnosed on 2012 O Boys are diagnosed four time more often than girls O More children are diagnosed with autism than cancers, diabetes, and AIDS combined History of Autism O Doctors considered autism a symptom of schizophrenia, despite lack of hallucinations. O Lobotomy was a common treatment for this disorder. O Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins University first diagnosed autism as an independent development disorder in 1943. Disabilities in the Past O Disabled children were hidden away In rural homes and institutions. O The State Institution for the Feeble-Minded opened in 1905 where conditions were generally considered inhumane. O Eastern State and Western State mental institutions were also marred by filthy and violent conditions. Educating the Disabled O In 1967, almost 200,00 people with disabilities were institutionalized. O Children with disabilities were routinely denied access to public schools. O In 1970, US schools educated only 1/5 of children with disabilities. O Some state laws excluded students from school who were deaf, blind, or disturbed. Disability Legislation Civil Rights Act of 1964 O First time the federal government declared that racial and ethnic minorities could not be discriminated against O Although individuals with disabilities were not included, it was the first step toward offering protections toward a specific group of people Disability Legislation O Rehabilitation Act of 1973 O States that no individual with disabilities can be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against by any program receiving federal financial assistance Disability Legislation O Education for All Handicapped Children Act 1975 O Prohibited discrimination against the disabled in schools O States that every individual may receive a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment Disability Legislation O Individuals with Disabilities Educational Act (IDEA) 1997 O Greatly expanded protections and rights for the disabled in the public school system O This was the building foundation for special education O Focused on childs unique needs O And where autistic children benefitted greatly through increased services. Accessing Services O A child must receive a medical diagnosis of ASD O Pediatricians, Psychologists, other Physicians O After diagnosis O Services outside the educational system become available O Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income(SSI), Child Health Insurance (CHIP) Services through Schools O Individualized Education Program (IEP) O Outlines the special educational services a child will receive O Everyone is involved parents, teachers, therapists, aides, and other specialists O Core group of people are familiar with the childs unique strengths and weaknesses Common IEP Services O Speech Therapist O Helps the child pronounce words, overcome robotic speech, and minimize mimicry O Occupational Therapist O Helps the child understand social cues and interaction cues in the environment O Physical Therapist O Helps the child overcome motor delays in moving and walking My Story O My brothers child, Tucker, diagnosed with Autism by age two. O Affected every aspect of my brothers life. O Left alone to raise his child as a single parent. O I invited him to move in. O At age three Tucker stopped talking and developing communication skills. O We had to find resources that he needed to handle his financial difficulties while simultaneously addressing his sons special needs. O We found Tucker a special school and devised new strategies to help improve his language skills. O Tucker is now eight years old and a very intelligent and happy little boy. Tucker Physical Activity & Disabilities O According to the Inclusion Fitness Coalition: O In almost every published study examining the obesity rates between youth with and without disabilities, youth with disabilities had significantly higher rates of obesity compared to their non- disabled peers. O Researchers from the National Survey of Childrens Health reported significantly higher rates of obesity among youth with disabilities and chronic health conditions. O IFC - Inclusive Fitness Coalition Chart IFC - Inclusive Fitness Coalition Chart Benefits of Activity for Autism O According to a New York Times about adaptive athletics: O One early study of autistic children found that 15 minutes of jogging was always followed by reductions in stereotyped behaviors such as hand-flapping and rocking. But 15 minutes of playing alone with a ball, considered mild exercise, had little or no influence on behaviors. O John OConnor, an associate professor of adapted physical education at Montana State University-Northern, explained why. Running and swimming involve rhythmic movements that are similar to stereotypical behaviors, and may distract people with autism the same way flapping their hands or walking on their toes does. Schools & Adaptive Sports O Most local schools are not able to provide adaptive sports opportunities for children with disabilities. O Often, schools do not have the available funds to create programs or are unaware of the benefits to children with disabilities. Local Community Programs O Whatcom County: O TOPSoccer program. O For children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities age 4 19. O Adaptive soccer program developed by US Youth Soccer Association. Local Community Programs O Skagit County: O Special Olympics. O The Skagit Special Olympics program provides ten weeks of sports training and athletic competition, each season, for children (at least eight years of age) and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our primary goal is to provide a quality program of physical fitness training and sports competition with a focus on friendship and FUN! Other Adaptive Programs O SNAP Special Needs Athletic Programs Awareness & Research O Physical Activity and Sport for People with Disabilities Symposium and Strategic Planning Conference O Individuals with disabilities who participate in sports have higher self-esteem, better body images and higher rates of academic success; are more confident and more likely to graduate from high school and matriculate in college. Furthermore, sport is where skills like teamwork, goal-setting, the pursuit of excellence in performance and other achievement- oriented behaviors necessary for success in the workplace are developed.