10 Tips for Introducing Sports Activities to Children with Autism

Sports can be a passion and talent for children with autism. Like Dewangga, who won a bronze medal at SOWC 2023. Furthermore, parents should introduce sports to their children because of their numerous benefits.

Benefits of exercise

Dyana, Rafa's parent, who has scheduled her child for regular exercise, has experienced the following benefits:

1. More regular sleep patterns 
2. Better focus
3. Healthier than his younger siblings
4. Able to adapt to the environment
5. He can absorb knowledge better.

Dyana explained that she initially introduced Rafa to sports as a way to channel his excess energy. Of the many sports available, Dyana chose swimming for her son. 

When Rafa joined swimming, his progress was excellent. There was always progress at every meeting. Furthermore, Rafa was very happy when it was time for swimming activities. For now, Rafa is participating once a week because he is still in school. However, as time goes by, the activity schedule will change.

Harison Sirait, physical education teacher at Dian Grahita Special Needs School C and director of sports training at PP Special Olympics Indonesia, confirmed the numerous benefits of exercise, including:

1. Children don't tire easily due to physical activity.
2. They are healthier and fitter. Compare this to those who don't exercise; they are certainly more lethargic. 
3. Children become more confident in introducing themselves to those around them. 
4. Their immune system also improves. They are less susceptible to illness and have more strength than before.
5. Children become calmer and less prone to tantrums after participating in sports. Their energy is channeled through regular, consistent, and beneficial physical activity.
6. Children become more aware of their immediate environment. For example, they prepare their sports equipment (swimsuits, toiletries, etc.). Once they know they will be participating in the activity, they will prepare their equipment. 

How to introduce sports activities

With the many benefits already experienced, it's a good idea to introduce sports activities. The question is, how? Harison offered these tips: 

1. The sport we choose must be tailored to the child's actual condition. 
2. Seek as much information as possible about appropriate and goal-directed sports management and education.
3. Communicate effectively with teachers about the training targets achieved. The reverse also applies to teachers communicating with parents and children.
4. Determine the appropriate training format and pattern, and develop measurable, structured, and simple training and instructions.
5. Provide motivation and rewards for each child's success.
6. Reinforce and repeat any errors made. 
7. Adjust your speech intonation.
8. Determine the appropriate support pattern. This can be through visual patterns (videos and images), audio patterns (voice intonation), modeling or gestures, and a combination of all these patterns can be implemented gradually.
9. We should be firm, straightforward, and patient.

Things to consider 

In addition to tips for introducing sports activities, we can learn together what things we should consider when introducing children to sports. Some considerations are as follows:

1. As parents, we must also participate in sports activities. Our children become more interested in sports if they see their parents doing the same. 
2. Give children with autism time to adapt to their place, time, and social environment. This is a long process for children with autism. It also becomes our responsibility to develop their children's interests and talents in sports. 
3. Finding the right teacher is important, as many teachers give up when working with children with autism. The right teacher can build a good relationship between the child with autism and the parents.
4. Celebrate every progress the child makes. progress anak.

Equipping children with autism, especially in sports, takes time. Never give up after trying once or twice. Children with autism will excel if we celebrate every development, no matter how small. Be patient and remain enthusiastic about exploring the interests and talents of children with autism!

This article was selected as   "Best Sports Tips for Children"   by educational resources publisher Twinkl.