The rise in autism diagnoses is a well-documented phenomenon, yet the challenges faced by individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in achieving optimal health and fitness remain largely overlooked. Health disparities between those with and without autism are stark, with people on the spectrum often grappling with higher rates of physical and mental co-morbidities (Croen et al., 2015). This disparity is exacerbated when considering exercise and fitness programs, which are essential for promoting overall health but often fail to meet the unique needs of those with autism.
The Need for Effective Exercise Programming for Adults with Autism
Discussions around fitness for adults with autism often center on the negative health outcomes associated with a lack of exercise, yet little attention is given to how to design an exercise program that addresses these outcomes. Fitness won’t be achieved by merely offering a gym membership or enrolling someone in a short-term fitness class. Effective exercise programming should focus on fostering independence, enhancing autonomy, promoting decision-making, and providing activities that are rigorous enough to make a meaningful impact on health and quality of life. Additionally, it’s crucial that these programs offer sustainability beyond the support of an instructor, fostering lifelong fitness habits.
Bridging the Gap: From Classroom to Real-World Application
Drawing on 27 years of personal experience and the collective collaboration with many veteran educators and therapists, Peggy developed the Valemee® Fitness Visual Training System (formerly known as UFIT). The heart of the program was developed to bridge the gap between research and practical application, the world of direct service in the education system, and the real world. Through this system, I have worked to distill the existing body of research into what actually works to improve adherence to fitness programs for individuals with autism.
Research indicates that families and healthcare professionals must provide robust support during an individual’s transition to adult services, especially when addressing physical and mental health (Bennett et al., 2018). However, despite a growing body of resources, the reality remains that adults with autism often face significant barriers when accessing effective and sustainable fitness programming. Gym memberships and short-term classes fail to address the long-term needs of individuals on the spectrum, including the development of independence in utilizing fitness facilities.
A Collaborative Approach to Effective Fitness Programming
What if healthcare, education, and fitness professionals worked together to create and promote effective fitness programming for adults with autism? It’s not uncommon for neurotypical young adults to find a local gym and incorporate regular exercise into their routine, enjoying both the social and physical benefits. Unfortunately, gyms are often not equipped to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism, and health disparities between those with disabilities and their non-disabled peers remain vast.
There are several reasons for this gap: limited participation in fitness programs, cost-related barriers, insufficiently trained fitness professionals, and a lack of accessible programs tailored to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Simply offering access to a gym does not equate to improved health outcomes any more than walking into a garage makes someone a car.
The Need for Practical, Evidence-Based Approaches
In Peggy Mills’ two decades as a physical education and adapted physical education teacher, she witnessed firsthand the transition of many students from the education system into the healthcare system—often with little support for promoting health and fitness as a lifelong practice. In 2015, she contracted with a certified personal trainer to test various approaches for working with adults with autism in the gym environment. This collaboration led to the development of the Valemee Fitness Visual Training System.
Key Elements of an Effective Fitness Program for Individuals with Autism
- Visual Learning: Individuals with autism often benefit from visual prompts and cues, which is why Valemee incorporates a visual system to help guide participants through exercises. The first step involves showing a visual demonstration of the exercise. As participants progress, prompting levels that range from Physical to Gestural are used to encourage independence.
- Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs): Fitness professionals working with individuals on the spectrum need to be equipped with strategies rooted in scientific research. The needs of a person with autism are complex and can vary greatly from one individual to another. Effective strategies include tailored prompting, visual supports, task analysis, reinforcement, social skills training, and many other best practices which are embedded within the Valemee system.
- Self-Empowerment and Routine: Building independence and self-efficacy is a core component of the Valemee system. This is achieved through consistent and predictable routines, which promote self-regulation and empower individuals to take control of their fitness journey.
- Individualized Outcomes: Valemee® emphasizes the importance of customizing exercise programs to meet the unique needs of each individual. This might mean adapting exercises to accommodate motor challenges, mental health co-morbidities, or other factors specific to each person with autism.
Proven Success: The VALID Study
The VALID study conducted in 2023 in collaboration with Dr. Carmen Swain, an Exercise Science professor at Ohio State University, further confirmed the effectiveness of the Valemee system. In this study, 22 adults with autism participated in exercise sessions twice a week for eight weeks. The results showed significant improvements not only in physical fitness but also in self-efficacy and independence (Swain, 2023).
Conclusion: Promoting Lifelong Fitness
To create lifelong fitness habits for individuals with autism, fitness instructors and educators must go beyond traditional approaches. They must stay informed about current research, actively listen to the needs of individuals with autism and their families, and adopt evidence-based strategies to promote success. This Program is committed to enabling fitness professionals to learn the necessary skills to truly include and make an impact in the lives of those with autism. Whether it be offering fitness training in day programs or at local gyms, the Valemee Fitness Visual Training System is designed to integrate these principles, providing a comprehensive, sustainable, and individualized approach to fitness that fosters independence and improves the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Peggy Mills, MA, CPT-NASM, CES, is an Adapted Physical Education Specialist, NASM-Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Valemee Fitness Professional Level 2, Medical Fitness Specialist, Stroke Recovery Specialist, and the owner of Valemee. For more information, email peggy@valemee.com.
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