Autism Spectrum Disorder and Recreation Autism Society of McLean County Autism Society of McLean County

Who We Are We are a group of parents, teachers, and other professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of our kids and adults with autism We are a group of parents, teachers, and other professionals who want to make a difference in the lives of our kids and adults with autism

Odds: Of a child becoming a professional athlete – 1 in 16,000 Of a child being diagnosed with Autism – 1 in 50 Of a child becoming a professional athlete – 1 in 16,000 Of a child being diagnosed with Autism – 1 in 50

What is Autism Spectrum disorder: skills and abilities vary greatly All will be affected by deficits in communication and social skills Spectrum disorder: skills and abilities vary greatly All will be affected by deficits in communication and social skills Autism is a social communication disorder AutismPDD-NOSAsperger’s Syndrome

Autism Spectrum Disorders Most individuals with autism will also have sensory issues They may be hyper (over) or hypo (under) sensitive to:  Sights  Sounds  Touch  Taste  Smell

In the beginning (1943 – 75) In the beginning (1943 – 75) Had no feelings Were mentally retarded Could not be educated Could not learn self help skills Should be institutionalized Had no feelings Were mentally retarded Could not be educated Could not learn self help skills Should be institutionalized The belief was that people with autism: …and that autism was caused by cold uncaring mother’s (known as refrigerator mother’s)

The beginning of change (1976 – 95) The beginning of change (1976 – 95) Could be trained to do menial jobs Were mentally retarded Could learn basic academic skills Could not develop relationships (friendships) Should be institutionalized Could be educated separate from their peers Could be trained to do menial jobs Were mentally retarded Could learn basic academic skills Could not develop relationships (friendships) Should be institutionalized Could be educated separate from their peers People started to believe that individuals with autism: …and that autism was not caused by uncaring mother’s, but was genetic in nature LRE

What we know today What we know today Are unique and individual, just like everyone else Early detection and intervention can make all of the difference in successful life outcomes Individuals with autism do make friends and develop long term relationships Not only learn academically; but have average intelligence and many go on to finish college and hold major degrees Many individuals with autism can lead independent lives, both with and without supports Are unique and individual, just like everyone else Early detection and intervention can make all of the difference in successful life outcomes Individuals with autism do make friends and develop long term relationships Not only learn academically; but have average intelligence and many go on to finish college and hold major degrees Many individuals with autism can lead independent lives, both with and without supports Individuals with autism …There is likely a combination of contributing factors to the onset of autism including genetics/environmental agents

Autism Affects 4 males to 1 female Prevalence for autism is 1 in 50 Most cases have no known cause or cure Cost of autism over the lifespan is 3.2 million per person Affects 4 males to 1 female Prevalence for autism is 1 in 50 Most cases have no known cause or cure Cost of autism over the lifespan is 3.2 million per person

Recreation & Social Opportunities Day Camp Sensory-friendly movies Open gym Community Outings:  Space Camp  Upper Limits Organized Social & Recreational Opportunities:  Drama Camp  Cheerleading Camp  Basketball Skills Camp  Baseball Skills Camp  Flag Football Camp  Soccer Camp  Bowling League Day Camp Sensory-friendly movies Open gym Community Outings:  Space Camp  Upper Limits Organized Social & Recreational Opportunities:  Drama Camp  Cheerleading Camp  Basketball Skills Camp  Baseball Skills Camp  Flag Football Camp  Soccer Camp  Bowling League

Why Recreation To promote a healthy lifestyle Increase self-esteem Same opportunities as peers Skill building Motor development Social interactions Life skills - Understanding and following rules To promote a healthy lifestyle Increase self-esteem Same opportunities as peers Skill building Motor development Social interactions Life skills - Understanding and following rules

Outcomes Children feel a “part” of something Many have developed friendships outside of the activities Self-esteem increases Enhanced skills Developed understanding of “team” play Older individuals have found a place helping others on the spectrum Families feel a part of a community, more involved Increased expectations from parents (they see what their kids can do) Children feel a “part” of something Many have developed friendships outside of the activities Self-esteem increases Enhanced skills Developed understanding of “team” play Older individuals have found a place helping others on the spectrum Families feel a part of a community, more involved Increased expectations from parents (they see what their kids can do)

Challenges Communication Auditory processing Behaviors Self-esteem Understanding concept of competition Complication of rules Lack of motor abilities Attention span Motivation Executive functioning/planning Individual differences Communication Auditory processing Behaviors Self-esteem Understanding concept of competition Complication of rules Lack of motor abilities Attention span Motivation Executive functioning/planning Individual differences

Supports Visual Supports Picture schedules & cues Reward boards Social Stories Don’t demand eye contact (processing) Have child repeat instructions (if capable) Model expectations Don’t be afraid to make demands Be prepared for and schedule breaks Peer buddy models Prepare child for transitions Sensory considerations (environment) Willing to use parents and volunteers (be directive) Praise and reward Stair-step to the goal Visual Supports Picture schedules & cues Reward boards Social Stories Don’t demand eye contact (processing) Have child repeat instructions (if capable) Model expectations Don’t be afraid to make demands Be prepared for and schedule breaks Peer buddy models Prepare child for transitions Sensory considerations (environment) Willing to use parents and volunteers (be directive) Praise and reward Stair-step to the goal

Visual Strategies All people use visual aids/strategies. Visual aids help us to understand our environment. Think about being in a foreign country. For example: In Germany, how can you find the bathroom at the airport? All people use visual aids/strategies. Visual aids help us to understand our environment. Think about being in a foreign country. For example: In Germany, how can you find the bathroom at the airport?

PECs

Picture Schedule

Social Stories™ Developed by Carol Gray to teach basic social skills. Social Stories™ are a tool used to establish replacement social skills for both children and adults with autism. Social Stories™ are short, straightforward descriptions of social situations which provide details of what a person might expect from a situation, and describes what may be expected of the person. Though they do not necessarily fix the problem, a Social Story™ gives a person information about social situations they find difficult or confusing. Pinterest/YouTube – great examples to personalize Developed by Carol Gray to teach basic social skills. Social Stories™ are a tool used to establish replacement social skills for both children and adults with autism. Social Stories™ are short, straightforward descriptions of social situations which provide details of what a person might expect from a situation, and describes what may be expected of the person. Though they do not necessarily fix the problem, a Social Story™ gives a person information about social situations they find difficult or confusing. Pinterest/YouTube – great examples to personalize

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Jill Enchelmayer, President 2404 E. Empire, Suite 231 Bloomington, Illinois Jill Enchelmayer, President 2404 E. Empire, Suite 231 Bloomington, Illinois Autism Society of McLean County