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| Evidenced-based Practice in the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles with ASDs across the Lifespan |
| Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
| 8:00 AM–11:00 AM |
| North 122 BC |
| Area: AUT; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Jennifer Zarcone, Ph.D. BCBA |
| JEFFREY JACOBS (Caldwell College), Allyson Sudol (Bernards Township) |
| Description: Regular exercise promotes fitness and health benefits as well as improves appearance. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders may be at risk for being physically inactive. The characteristics of the disorder may interfere with successful participation in traditional forms of physical activity or the limited number of fitness and recreation programs designed for individuals with developmental disabilities. Achieving an appropriate fitness level can help learners with ASDs participate more fully with their families and peers in leisure activities, activities of daily living, as well as education, vocational, and community environments. Acquiring appropriate fitness skills may promote the productive use of leisure time in less restrictive settings. Extensive research supports the effectiveness of a behavioral approach for individuals with ASDs. This presentation will address the application of behavioral principles to promote the physical fitness and safety of individuals with ASDs as well as inclusion in home. educational, volunteer, leisure, and works settings. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this workshop, attendants will be able to:
1) Identify the components of health and fitness and how they are measured.
2) Identify the benefits of fitness programs.
3) Describe the importance of physical fitness related to inclusion in home, community, volunteer, and employment settings.
4) Use a checklist to assist individuals with ASDs or caregivers in the selection of fitness, leisure, and recreation programs.
5) Identify research-based instructional strategies used to promote physical fitness, safety, sports performance, and leisure skills for individuals with ASDs.
6) Identify measurement procedures to promote accountability in fitness programs, including measures of social validity.
7) List the necessary components of an effective leisure and fitness programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (e.g., Tae Kwon Do, swimming, running, gym).
8) Describe three ways in which to train staff.
9) Problem solve behavior and discuss programmatic and environmental modifications to promote continual behavior chnage toward targt fitness, perforamnce, and safety goals. |
| Activities: Participants will view a Power Point presentation, receive handouts and view videos. They will have opportunities to participate in didactic presentations, problem solving discussions |
| Audience: The workshop is appropriate for behavior analysts who are interested in starting, expanding, or enhancing health and fitness programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders across the lifespan. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |