that effectively communicate a person doing exercises and sports.

To leverage the benefits of technology-aided instruction (16), we created Exercise Buddy, an inclusive visual exercise app, available on tablet devices that embeds six evidence-based practices to empower parents and professionals to teach exercise. Supported in seven independent research studies, one study completed by a BCBA-D professor from Ball State found that, "Exercise Buddy, in conjunction with a system of least prompts and reinforcement, taught participants to acquire physical activity skills at home and generalize the skills at local community fitness sites."3

As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words" but in the case of those with autism, or other disabilities, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. Adding visuals to support verbal instruction can be the catalyst for engaging your children or students to make the exercise connection.

To better equip fitness and special education professionals with best practices for teaching inclusive exercise, we created the Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate, in partnership with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Also supported in research, a study on the ACSM/Exercise Connection Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate's Online Modules found that the frequency at which participants reported using evidence-based practices increased significantly from pretest to posttest (3.26±0.59 to 3.40±0.59; Cohen d= 0.15; p = .031). Moreover, participants perceived self-efficacy in using evidence-based practices significantly improved from pretest to posttest (2.78±0.76 to 3.20±0.76; Cohen d=0.40; p<0.001).18

I am happy to report that there are now thousands of professionals and parents who have been educated and better equipped to make a profound impact – one child at a time.

PERSISTENCE VS. PERFECTION

I have spent that last 17 years working with, and learning from, individuals with ASD, their families, and transferring that knowledge to exercise and special education professionals. Through this time, I have found the one common denominator of people who have been successful when introducing exercise to this community, no matter their age or ability level: Persistence, not perfection.

While perfection is the goal that is often strived for, the goal should really be to enjoy exercise so they can make it part of their routine and experience the lifelong benefits. You (we) just need to keep your children moving.

There is in fact a miracle workout routine for your child or students, but it has to be uncovered by you and your child over time. Start slowly with your child or students. Engage them in a few exercises for a short period of time. It may only be one exercise on a Tuesday before school. Or it could be five minutes spent exercising before they go to bed. Get down on the ground (or jump up) with them. Using visuals, giving positive reinforcement, and incorporating breaks will result in steady progress. This "pull approach," as I might call it, is in stark contrast to the "push approach" that many fitness professionals use successfully with their other clients.

Exercising with your child, and them seeing you do the work, provides a whole new perspective for them that will lead to exercise success. When I was training Brody, I would leave his sessions with sweat dripping from my forehead. As progress is made, celebrate each "win", and build on it by adding another exercise, or a few more repetitions or minutes.

Today Brody is 18 years old and continues to exercise. I asked his mother to sum up what exercise has done for Brody and the family; here is what she said, "Exercise provided a backdrop to age-appropriate regulation, communication, a release from stress, and weight loss. It crosses back and forth from school to home allowing him to feel superior in one particular setting when most times he feels out of the loop or disconnected. And now in gym class, he rises to the occasion."

Brody, and most of his peers are not striving to be an athlete, nor do they want another therapy. They desire a relationship, a challenge, and an opportunity to do what others their age do. According to many parents of those with autism, exercise is not just one more thing, it's the thing. Again, autism parents rated exercise the #1 treatment.1 Exercise builds confidence, enhances quality of life, and can result in many untold opportunities. Mic drop! (Now pick it up and repeat 10 times…) •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

David Geslak, the founder of Exercise Connection, has pioneered award-winning and research- supported visual exercise tools and programs to improve the lives of those with autism and other disabilities. David began his career as an Assistant Strength Coach for the University of Iowa Football Program. After leaving, he opened a gym where he worked with his first client with autism that changed his career path. To understand how those with autism learn best, he became a paraeducator and eventually the Fitness Coordinator at an autism school. He is now a published author, writes journal articles, and is a renowned presenter on autism and exercise. His commitment and methodology to bringing exercise to those with autism has been enthusiastically embraced by parents, professionals, higher education, and the autism community around the world. David is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has a Bachelor's Degree in Health Promotion from the University of Iowa.

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