The importance of fitness for everyone, including those in the special needs community, can’t be overremphasized. The obesity rate in the special needs population is higher than the already high rate in the typical population.
People who are active and fit are healthier, have less stress, tend to be more social, and have less health care costs. They also are easier to provide care for as aging individuals. Exercise classes are social activities where individuals meet and get to know others, make new friends, have fun and engage in friendly competition.
Parents in the special needs community can create a family culture of activity and fitness.
Karen and Tony D’Orazio decided early on that they would allow their son Jake to be active. Karen D’Orazio had him in the water at a program offered by Cuyahoga County Board Of Developmental Disabilities when he was about six months old. After watching “Rocky” movies, Jake’s parents said Jake began using a heavy bag and speed bag. He also learned how to ride a bike.
“We noticed that Jake seemed to be more mentally astute as he continued to work out, swim, etc.,” Tony D’Orazio says. “As we saw his progress, we realized we had to serve and help others in the special needs community.”
“Don’t be afraid to have expectations and to coach and enthusiastically encourage,” he says. “Start with a 10-minute walk and progress from there. Small steps, but as Rocky would say, keep moving forward. As your child grows up, you can also get them involved in places such as Jacob’s Ladder Fitness, Special Olympics, and the many other fine organizations in the Cleveland area. Also, don’t leave out the possibility of them participating in traditional/typical sports activities.”
Tony D’Orazio encourages parents to consult with their child’s physician and physical therapist.
“I’ll almost guarantee they will encourage physical activity,” he says. “Then begin with simple play time physical activities like rolling around on the family room floor; then grow into taking walks, riding bikes and working out. Every child — whether typical or special needs — has different abilities. If you are not sure about what your kids can do, try different things and be open to exercise modifications.”
As an example, Tony D’Orazio offers the “plank” exercise, the official exercise of Jacob’s Ladder Fitness.
“You can adapt the exercise: do it with knees on the floor; do it on the steps with feet at the bottom and hands on the third or fourth step up; do it on a coffee table in the family room (check with mom first!); or do it standing with hands forward on the wall,” Tony D’Orazio says. “Then work on progressing toward a regular plank. Jake and a few of our other students can plank on a wall facing downward, away from the wall with feet up on the wall and almost parallel to the wall!”
Can’t do a squat? He suggests using a chair, starting by standing up from and sitting down on the chair. Adaptations also include the amount of weight used, number of reps, time of each exercise, and overall time of the exercise session.
“My main advice would be for the parents to be active themselves and model that behavior,” Tony D’Orazio adds. “The single biggest predictor of a child’s physical activity level is the activity level of the parents. It will be good for the whole family.”
By: Jacob’s Ladder Special Needs Fitness
https://jacobsladderfitness.com/
