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I thought I'd start a resource collection on sports and autism/special needs.  If a link doesn't work, try to remove any blank spaces from the address.  If it still doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to fix it.

Written material:

http://www.specialolympics.org/NR/rdonlyres/eut42oxxy7zi5xyj a25uw3dzy6uuvvhiahrgoyokwu26ogv33xyqh6kpbycdr6bmpxjnswvbjbrn al5fplggxevshxd/Golf+Coaching+Guide.doc  - Special Olympics document.  Includes a section called "Teaching Golf Skills" which includes sports skills assessment and a breakdown of skills -- could be used as a model for other sports.

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/MMA-Autism-More-Than-Ju st-For-Kicks/wmn97FksrkubAQ-Quhj1rQ.cspx  - article on an Asperger boy who participated in mixed martial arts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/03/fashion/03Fitness.html?_r= 1 - "A can-do approach to autistic children and athletes."

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Websi te/English/Coach/Coaching_Guides/Golf/Teaching+Sport+Skills/ Sports+Skills+Assessment.htm -Explanation of the levels of instruction: Physical Assistance (P.A.), Physical Prompt (P.P.), Demonstration (D) Verbal Cue (VeC) and Visual Cue (ViQ).

http://www.basinrecreation.com/PDFs/Parent%20Packet%202008%2 0Soccer.pdf - Little Dribblers program, shows what to expect of soccer players of various ages.  Since a child with autism is developmentally delayed, they'll follow their own path through these stages.

http://www.positivelyautism.com/volume2issue3/index.html - Positively Autism newsletter issue devoted to sports.

http://www.autismsite.ca/html/soccer_team.html - thoughts on soccer.

http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-2753290/Children-wit h-Asperger-syndrome-Implications.html  - preview of an article called "Children with Asperger Syndrome:  Implications for General Physical Education and Youth Sports."  by  Melissa Groft and Martin E. Block

http://www.dsawm.org/PDF/NL200606.pdf - short list of roles to learn when participating in "recreation on a team"

Programs:

http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/programs/TOPSoccer.asp - TOPSoccer

http://soccer.org/Programs/VIP/Default.htm - American Youth Soccer Organization VIP program for disabled kids and adults.

http://www.miracleleague.com/ - Miracle League

http://www.littleleague.org/Learn_More/About_Our_Organizatio n/divisions/challenger.htm - Little League Challenger Division.

http://www.specialolympics.org/ - Special Olympics

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Websi te/English/Program_Locator/default.htm  - Special Olympics "find a location" database.

http://www.usarc.org/ - Adaptive recreation programs  in various states

http://www.pecentral.org/adapted/adaptedprograms.pdf - a list of universities that offer a degree in adaptive physical education.  One of our forum members reports that college students in the specialized/adaptive PE program in her town do volunteer work.  Who knows, maybe some colleges run their own sports programs for special needs kids, or would be willing to.

http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/aha_hpot_ther apist.htm - find a hippotherapist (horseback riding therapy)

http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/04/recreational-inclusion -it-is-one-of-your-childs-rights/  - about free community inclusion coordinator services.

Videos:

http://www.childnett.tv/videos/stories/sporting_chance - Mike Cohen shows the techniques he uses to teach children with autism sporting skills. As their skills improve their confidence builds, allowing the kids greater opportunities to play and socialize.

http://www.modelmekids.com/autism-children.html - video about a karate program for kids with autism.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC3WE15FDoU - inspiring video about a star high school football player with autism

Social stories and visual support:

http://autism.about.com/od/autismproductsguide/ss/soccerpost ers.htm - tips with 4 pages of visuals for teaching soccer.

http://www.autismhelp.info/htm/documents/BeingAGoodSport_002 .doc - good sportsmanship.

http://books.google.no/books?id=SoMqHlBLBREC&pg=PA62& ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;lpg=PA62&dq=%22social+story%22+%22my+team%22&source =web&ots=UsqKxWa3ML&sig=YrAW--HYP6-ciAhx_EM9oIo5SaA& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp;hl=no&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=re sult#PPP1,M1 - Social story on good sportsmanship from Google books excerpt from Rebecca A. Moyes book "Addressing the Challenging Behavior..." 

http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/Social_Narratives_%28Social_S tories%E2%84%A2__%26__Power_Card%29_Bank.html  - "how do I deal with winning and losing"

http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/toc-sports.html - soccer, basketball

Sample topics from our forum:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28958

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=23435&am p;am p;am p;am p;KW=learn+to+swim - swimming resources

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31886 - about roll-back and guard nets to keep balls (and kids) from going into the street etc.

Any other resources?

NorwayMom39912.0140856481

Today I added a link for teaching soccer to the above list.  The link consists of the following five pages (the first page is just tips for getting started with soccer.  The other 4 pages are free visuals for teaching soccer skills):

  1. Prepare to Include Children with Autism in Your Soccer Game
  2. Teach the Real Basics of Soccer
  3. Teach Children with Autism to Dribble a Soccer Ball
  4. Teach Children with Autism to Kick a Soccer Ball
  5. Teach Children with Autism to Pass a Soccer Ball

Source:  http://autism.about.com/od/autismproductsguide/ss/soccerpost ers.htm

Here's a nice article on how three boys with autism are successfully integrated into the high school swim team (tip from Positively Autism e-newsletter, thanks Nicole):

http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20090205/DCP03/902050367

And here's an article and clip of J-Mac in the new Gatorade ad (another tip from Positively Autism e-newsletter).

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/current-issue/e3 ic96aa80f511fb30ff2a376a2e0aa905f?imw=Y

J-Mac has a book out, btw: 

http://www.amazon.com/Game-My-Life-Challenge-Autistic/dp/045 1223012

 

Today I added a blog to the above list.  The blog is about community inclusion coordinators.  Here are a few quotes from the blog:

"What are community inclusion coordinators?  They are typically employees of local parks and recreation departments whose main job is to ensure that children with disabilities get what they need to participate successfully in programs that the community offers.  The position evolved as an outcome of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).  Under Title II of the ADA, municipalities must make accommodations for physical and program access for individuals with disabilities."

"Parents can access their local community inclusion coordinator through their city’s Park Department or local Y (private recreational facility inclusion is similar, but falls under Title III of the ADA)."

"The coordinator will work with parents and children to create  a recreational plan.  The plan is somewhat similar to an IEP, although usaully not that highly structured." 

Read the whole blog here:

http://autismisnottheboss.com/2009/04/recreational-inclusion -it-is-one-of-your-childs-rights/

Here's an article I wrote called, "How to Teach a Student with Autism to Throw a Ball to Others" - http://www.ehow.com/how_4890617_student-autism-throw-ball-ot hers.html

This is a foundational skill that can lead to skills in sports and games such as catch, basketball, baseball, etc.

Nicole

Thanks, Nicole! 
 
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