Training adults and kids with special needs is a much needed
component to maintain the health and fitness of this population.
While the need for this is widely known the availability for these
individuals is very limited. On occasion you see a group of
individuals in a pool or walking around a track but nothing formal
has been implemented. Why? I believe a big reason is the
individuals who are trained as personal trainers do not know how to
work with kids/adults with special needs. On the other end is the
clinical staff that is not trained in the area of fitness
programming. That is where this program comes into play. I have
designed a program to teach the trainer the behavioral end and the
clinician the fitness end. Through this program I hope to expand
the fitness opportunities for kids and adults with special
needs.
The first phase to working/training with individuals with special
needs is developing a rapport. As a trainer working with special
needs children and adults it is vitally important to understand the
needs of the individual beyond that of their physical
requirements.
Teaching the trainer to understand behavior may seem like a
daunting task but if you really think about training, it is all
about rapport and understanding the needs of their client. The
major difference being, this client may be non-verbal, test the
limits, be lazy or non-compliant, hyperactive, deaf or a host of
other needs (although this may not be too different from some of
your current clients). The first element we need to remember is
that each individual is a person and has feelings, needs, wants and
emotions like the rest of us. If you treat them as different then
odds are they will act different, but if you treat them with
respect and open arms odds are they will respond to you the
same.
Take for example this 8yr old autistic girl I work with. When we
first started she wanted no part of me. She would not do as I
asked, I had to continually redirect her behavior and hold her
accountable for her actions. In a 30minutes session I at best
completed one task (sound familiar to any of your clients). But I
did not give in to her behavior, I rewarded her when she did well
and kept her on task until she finished even if we stayed a little
past our time. I needed to let her know that I was in control. As
the weeks past the time spent with redirecting became less, and
productivity improved. I stayed on task and did not give in when
her behavior swayed even if that required me sitting and holding on
to her and speaking softly to calm the situation.
In order to develop a relationship, level of trust and
understanding between you and the individual several key components
must take place. They are:
- Structure, be consistent with what you say and do always.
- Establish boundaries (facility, personal)
- Do not give into non-compliant behavior regardless, unless
physically escalating then get help
- Reinforce good behavior with reward (bounce on ball etc)
- Do not redirect negative behavior with reward (stay
focused on task even if that is the only thing completed that
day)
- Keep tasks simple remember we must establish success then add
variety and intensity
- Do not shy away or display fear, this may escalate
non-compliant behavior
- Remember they are as unsure as you so display confidence with
body language and verbal cues.
- Sudden movement/loud noises may trigger behavior so move slowly
and speak calmly with authority
- Pay attention to outside and or inside stimulus (the good and
bad)
- Be patient!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will work but may take some
time, many of these individuals have experienced many failed
relationships so don't expect them to be your friend the first
day.
Once a baseline relationship has been established the physical
component will become more productive. In addition, through this
relationship building you will have noticed certain behaviors (good
and bad), stimulus (good and bad), and an understanding as to how
they learn (strengths and weaknesses). The physical training that
you will develop will be based on the relationship formed, physical
needs and exercise based on the 7 learning intelligences.
While developing a rapport, level of trust and understanding
between the trainer and client are without a doubt the first step
in a successful fitness program it is only a small component.
Understanding the learning style of the individual is invaluable.
There are seven different learning intelligences to understand.
Based on these learning styles you can better determine a fitness
program best suited to meet the needs not only physically but
behaviorally and emotionally as well.
The 7 learning intelligences are: Linguistic,
Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinesthetic,
Interpersonal and Intrapersonal. I have developed exercises matched
with each learning style. This list is not a replacement for
specific physical treatment. Rather these movement patterns will
help with focus, productivity, engagement, self-esteem, social
interaction, reduced anxiety and an opportunity to have fun.
Next I will break down each learning style (based on Howard
Gardner's work) and a fitness routine that would work with that
particular intelligence.
Linguistic intelligence is characterized by having highly
developed auditory skills and enjoys playing around with the sounds
of language. They like to write and may be gifted storytellers. A
child or adult who has strong linguistic characteristics may enjoy
spelling out words for repetitions instead of numbers. You may also
find that they sing or hum while performing certain patterns. This
is something I notice with the autistic children I work with. It
tells me they are relaxed and focused and enjoying this particular
movement pattern. I need to make note of this and build exercise
patterns off of this.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence is characterized by reasoning
things out logically and clearly. They enjoy using computers and
often ask questions like "where does the universe end". They
partake in strategy games and puzzles. Individuals with strengths
in this area would do well with the development and implementation
of obstacle courses. They will also like clean movement patterns
that can be counted and tracked.
Spatial Intelligence is marked by a thought process of thinking in
images and pictures. They read charts and maps easily. They enjoy
movies and slide shows and daydream a lot. They are highly
sensitive to change resulting in joy or dismay. These individuals
will do well with pictures of exercises and then putting them into
a routine. They will like to participate in the design of the
fitness routine but may be specific as to what goes where.
Musical intelligence is marked by an individual who plays a
musical instrument, remembers songs, and likes to hum and or sing
to themselves. They may also like to have music on when they study.
This individual will do well with flowing circular patterns that
may go along with the beat of the music. Recognize the movement
when the song is playing and develop movement based patterns from
the song to help them get fit and healthy.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence quite often express them self
through body language. They have difficulty sitting still, enjoy
scary rides and mimic other people. They may do well in competitive
sports. This individual will do well with a circuit based program
that involves short bursts of high energy with continual
stimulus.
Individuals with Interpersonal Intelligence have a good
understanding of people. They know what is going on and are often
the leader amongst their peers. They are highly social and have
great empathy for others feelings. These individuals will do well
in a group setting or partner training. They will want to help
others and sympathize with someone when they struggle.
Intrapersonal Intelligence is characterized by a strong
personality. These individuals tend to be loners and flourish while
in isolation. They react with strong opinions amongst controversial
topics. They march to the beat of a different drummer. These
individuals would do well with independent training programs that
they can work on by themselves. This may be an in home situation
where programming is developed at their place with you (trainer)
building a foundation in which they can build from.