Physical Education activities for 6-8? | Autism PDD

Thank you guys so much for taking the time to post suggestions, I really appreciate it and so will the kids. I am trying to utilize all of my sources so these kids can get the best out of my class.

Thank you thank you thank you!Hello, I am a PE Teacher looking for ideas/resources for phyical education activities for a class of 6-8 autistic children at the middle school level. I have been searching online and have not been too successful. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It is difficult w/ this particular class b/c I don't have as much help as I need. So finding an activity that all the students can participate in is rather tough.

Thank you.

I noticed that someone already suggested "The Out of Sync Child has Fun",,,this book is GREAT for ideas for PE...

good luck!

kelly

From observing adaptive PE courses:

**Jumping over a "river" (working on broad jump, use two jump ropes close together, and slowly pull out)

**Doing workouts/activities to CD's (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000AG63/ref=pd_cp_m_2/1 03-0899971-7944602?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center- 41&pf_rd_r=1GDXQD4A1GD4QTJAC63E&pf_rd_t=201&pf_r d_p=252362201&pf_rd_i=B00015EL2M this one is GREAT! All kids seem to love The Freeze, and Bean Bag Boogie is a great song for working on motor coordiation, balance, and prepositions.)

**The chicken game (setting up mats up against a corner to make a square, have a few students stand inside, and the rest outside. students on the outside throw in soft balls, and students on the inside try to get them out, game over when all balls are in or you decide it's over. great for game skills as well as throwing/catching.)

**Scooter activites (use scooter boards to work on propelling themselves with their arms or hands, working on upper body/lower body strength and coordination.)

...and I can't think of anything else right now! I highly suggest the CD though!

Hi! I want to start out by saying I think it's great that you are looking into finding activities that meet the needs of your students.

My oldest son is going into 5th grade, so he is younger than your students. He was actually in a regular gym class. His favorite units were tumbling and rollerskating. He also enjoys obstacle courses and running. What he does not care for are organized team sports. He definately prefers individual sports.

A lot of kids with autism have sensory issues. The Out-Of-Sync Child Has Fun and How To Raise A Sensory Smart Child have lots of ideas, many of which could be used with older kids and possibly incorporated into a gym class. You could have a game of tug-of-war, play catch with a weighted ball, play hot potato or bean bag catch, throw bean bags into a bucket, practice throwing baskets with a basketball, do various jumping activities, wheelbarrow walking, crab walking, frog jumps, donkey kicks, or set up obstacle courses.

I have also heard the tip to put masking tape on the floor so the kids have a visual reminder of where they need to stand when doing things like warm up.

Maybe the OT at your school would have some great suggestions.

My kids really enjoy gym class. It gives them a chance to let off some steam and get some of their sensory needs met.

Good Luck!

My son just told me something they did that he thought was fun. The teacher set out several tumbling mats, making a large square. The kids then took off their shoes and set them to the side of the mat. This was their point of reference. The then had to run around the "track" 3 times. After the 3rd time, they had to sit down by their shoes. They then went around the "track" jumping over each of the folds in the mat.