Autistic exercise: options for the distracted teen

#1 and #2 are both on the spectrum. They have some things in common - rigidity, solipsism, love for family — but they’re pretty different people. This is particularly true when it comes to exercise, the balm for all things from mood to brain development to physical health.#1 is a jock. Hockey, baseball, bicycling, mountain bicycling …. adaptive sports or mainstream sports — he likes motion and he’s pretty skilled. #2 is different, he likes screens, books and Lego. #2 is also dangerously distractible; while #1 is quite good on a road bike #2 terrifies me and passing drivers alike. Neither boy likes hot weather and bugs. The good news is that #2 generally willing to exercise with me, and I love to exercise.So now I have to come up with an exercise program for #2 that’s safe, effective and enjoyable. I’ll start with a short list of activities that I think of as suited to screen-oriented teens with high functioning autism …Minnesota Special Hockey: Be great if we had more ice time, but this works well during the season.Running: If you know many runners you can tell quite a few are on the spectrum.  Indoor treadmill with a screen can work.Climbing (indoors): Outdoor climbing is dangerous for the distractible, but indoor is fairly safe. Great exercise and, again, appeals to many on the spectrum.Swimming: a bit boring, and teaching #2 to swim took great patience and some money, but safe and works all year roundInline skating: again, there are quite a few on the sp...
Source: Be the Best You can Be - Category: Disability Tags: Asperger ' autism health Source Type: blogs