Improving the Lives of Individuals with Autism through Exercise, a video series from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity & Disability (NCHPAD) and Exercise Connection, is aimed at helping parents, caregivers, educators and therapists introduce exercise to their children or students on the autism spectrum. The series can be found on NCHPAD’s YouTube Channel.

In physical activity settings, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are often left wandering and wondering. The un-sensory-friendly environment, variety of learning styles and lack of visual supports has made the typical physical activity environment a missed opportunity. Research shows that in addition to the health-related benefits of physical activity, decreased repetitive and self-stimulating behavior are the most common behavioral improvements following physical activity for children with autism. Throughout the video series, Coach Dave, Coach Ashley and the EC Champions (individuals with autism) teach exercises and activities that can make a difference. Using best practice autism teaching strategies, visual supports and the ExerciseBuddy Autism App, this video series can successfully be used in a physical education class, at home, as a sensory break in school or incorporated into the special education classroom.

About Exercise Connection

David Geslak (Coach Dave), Founder of Exercise Connection, has been successfully designing autism fitness programs and resources for the past 10-years.  Coach Dave is widely recognized for his affection to the autism community, his dynamic presentations and for the pioneering of structured visual exercise programs. Through the Exercise Connection’s (EC) use of structure, visual supports and workshops the EC has created a program that is filling the gap.  In 2012, Coach Dave was offered a television show on the Autism Channel and in 2014 published a book through Jessica Kingsley Publishers.