Read our blog on building a home fitness routine for those with Autism that will help develop a healthy and fit environment for people with Autism in the comfort of one’s home.

Introduction to Home Exercise for Autism

Exercise is essential in everyone’s lives – but for those on the Autism spectrum, a structured, predictable, home-based, Autism-centered exercise routine could be all you need to do to make your world better. When people on the spectrum exercise, we are not just talking about being physically fit; we are talking about creating a structured predictable environment that enhances focus, helps one to calm down, and can lead to personal pride. For many Autistic individuals, a structured, predictable routine is a large part of their day and can largely contribute to the quality of their life.

Understanding Autism and Physical Activity

For example, for someone with Autism, physical activity needs a different approach. Although the body still works the same way, a person with Autism has very specific sensory needs and preferences. A well-designed exercise programme has the potential to help manage sensitivities in the body and the mind, and bring improved routine and regulation into someone’s life, therefore improving wellbeing overall. It is about learning to accept and enjoy physical activity on your terms. It is about finding ways to exercise that are better for you and work with your body to improve wellbeing in useful and enjoyable ways that are also beneficial for your stress levels. The aim is to move towards a more active and healthier life.

Designing Autism-Friendly Exercise Spaces at Home

For an Autistic person, the dedicated exercise space at home is, indisputably, a personal safe zone that should focus on three key factors: safe support space (a place the person feels comfortable), free-body movement (a space not overwhelming to the individual), and suitable sensorial experience (considering factors such as lighting, colors and noise, which can all affect the individual’s ability to sustain exercise and its benefits). By designing a specific safe zone in the home, the individual may possess the necessary conditions for succeeding in a home exercise programme.

Essential Exercises for Autism: A Beginner's Guide

For an autonomous start, simple stretching exercises or yoga, or just simple body movements can be a good idea and might provide an easy and relaxing way to start an exercise programme. For instance, yoga programmes can be conducted in a way that can accommodate a wide range of ability levels and, if done correctly, they provide a safe and non-threatening introduction to general physical activity for special populations. Additionally, sensory integration of music and movement to a calming commercial track can be a fun component, and has been favorably reported by some practitioners as being a beneficial activity for Autistics.

Adaptive Equipment for Home Exercise Routines

Adaptive equipment, such as tactile mats, visual cue cards, sensory swings, fun-shaped throwing targets and muscle stimulators, can improve an exercise programme in many ways for the person with Autism. Equipment that provides necessary sensory feedback, ensures coordination, or provides an element of enjoyment can be incorporated into the programme. Equipment is carefully selected to both support and engage the individual with Autism based on their unique needs and interests.

Setting Realistic Goals for Autism and Exercise

Goals of an exercise routine for someone with Autism must be realistic and flexible. Clearly defined and achievable, but also daily adaptable to the fluctuating levels of ability. A goal about the number of exercises which need to be completed to finish a session, or a milestone goal about a specific physical achievement that we’re trying to reach through exercise are both fine, and worthy of celebration upon their achievement.

Motivation and Rewards: Keeping Engaged with Autism in Mind

One of the most difficult aspects of keeping someone with Autism motivated to exercise over the long run is identifying things that will sustain their motivation. Incorporating personal interests into the exercise routine and providing immediate rewards for accomplishments are often necessary to sustain motivation. For example, the use of a patient’s favorite music during workouts or the promise of a special activity after completing a session may be the key to fostering and maintaining the motivation to exercise.

Safety First: Exercise Precautions for Autism

Ultimately, safety must be the hallmark of every person’s exercise regime, and especially for a child with Autism. This refers to physical safety (eg, making sure the environment is free from danger and that exercises are well within the child’s abilities and, if necessary, making sure there is adequate preparation and supervision). Just as importantly, however, emotional safety is critical, which is to say that the child feels comfortable with, and integrated into, the experience.

Measuring Progress in Autism-Focused Home Exercise

Any measurement of progress in a home exercise programme for an individual with Autism would surely be different from the metrics we might typically measure with someone without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Recognising advancements in physical skills as well as psychological skills is something that can be recorded by documenting that routines were completed, improvements in motor skill happened, and changes in behavior occurred as an underscore of an appropriate programme performed in an efficient way with the intent of improving their lives hopefully over time.

Conclusion: The Importance of Routine and Adaptability

Routine and adaptability are the pillars of an effective home exercise routine. An effective routine should be consistent enough to provide structure and predictability but still flexible enough to change with the individual as their needs and function change. Routine helps to provide the security and stability necessary for a home programme, but adaptability is necessary to maximize the benefits of exercise while reducing the anxiety associated with change. Balancing the stability of routine with the adaptability necessary to support a holistic health and lifestyle is challenging but my patients have taught me that it is possible.

‍

We are a leading provider of Athlete-Guided Personal Training for people diagnosed with Autism. Based on a personalized home exercise routine, our work at Adaptive Fitness aims to empower people with Autism to accomplish their fitness and health aspirations in the comfort and safeness of their home environment. We understand that people with Autism face unique fears and challenges. We also understand the tremendous accomplishment that comes with a simple exercise done well. We ensure this through meticulous programming and coaching method design for each person. Each athlete accomplishes results that endure. Each routine is more than a set of exercises.

We are experts at developing a mutual understanding for how to create supportive, motivating, and inclusive environments to connect with your mind and your body on various levels. Adaptive Fitness is more than a service, it is a community! Instead of choosing an option, you become part of the community where individuals recognise the value of what you bring into our space. The Adaptive Fitness team is the only option for you that provides a wellness service catered to the adaptive needs of the Autism community to promote wellness through fitness designed for you by tailor-fit and caring professionals! Join our community and together, take the journey one step at a time.

‍