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Health Autism Spectrum Disorder and Youth Sports: The Role of The Sports Manager and Coach

The article discusses the increasing rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses and how this affects youth participation in sports programs. It focuses on the role that sports managers and coaches play in developing programs accommodating the needs of children with ASD. While some recreational programs are designed for those with special needs, typical youth sports leagues are not resourced to address the unique needs of children with ASD. The article argues that sports provide health, social and learning benefits to youth with ASD when managed properly to overcome potential barriers to participation related to communication, social interaction or compulsive behaviors. It stresses the importance of community support and autism knowledge for sports managers to create inclusive programs.

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Ric Carlo Ramirez Ladrero
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58 views4 pages

Health Autism Spectrum Disorder and Youth Sports: The Role of The Sports Manager and Coach

The article discusses the increasing rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses and how this affects youth participation in sports programs. It focuses on the role that sports managers and coaches play in developing programs accommodating the needs of children with ASD. While some recreational programs are designed for those with special needs, typical youth sports leagues are not resourced to address the unique needs of children with ASD. The article argues that sports provide health, social and learning benefits to youth with ASD when managed properly to overcome potential barriers to participation related to communication, social interaction or compulsive behaviors. It stresses the importance of community support and autism knowledge for sports managers to create inclusive programs.

Uploaded by

Ric Carlo Ramirez Ladrero
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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HEALTH

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND YOUTH SPORTS:


The Role of the Sports Manager and Coach
By: N. Jonas Ohrberg

I. SUMMARY OF ARTICLE
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rapidly
increasing throughout the United States. This increase also has an impact on
participation in local community programs such as youth sports and recreational
activities. The administrators of these agencies and departments will be required to
develop and implement programs that meet the needs of the children and families
affected by ASD. Certain programs are designated as therapeutic recreation programs,
with the specific structure and resources to support and provide activities for children
with special needs. However, private and municipal youth leagues for soccer, baseball
and basketball generally focus on serving the general public without the resources and
specific means to address the needs of children affected by ASD. The article also focuses
on the sport and recreation programs that are not considered therapeutic recreation
programs in nature and how it is beneficial.

II. ARGUMENT
It is important that the article demonstrates the importance and the various effects
of sport and physical activity. It tackles how sport and physical activity provides
interaction opportunities that are different than those in school or in a family
environment. In addition, participation in such activities has physical, psychological,
cognitive and social benefits including young people with ASD. The programs give
children the opportunity to gain important health benefits but also social benefits from
interacting with their peers in a fun and structured environment. Likewise, their
participation provides the children with ASD a sense of normalcy. With the guidance
and help of the sports manager and coach they can foster learning in different areas.
However, their may be some constraints affecting their participation mainly related
to communication, social interaction and compulsive activities. They may have
problems in paying attention to instructions and difficulty performing movements.
Likewise, the safety of young people with ASD may also be a barrier to participate. It
also appears that that the obstacle lies to the reaction of the coaches, teachers and
other young people to the behavior of children with ASD.

III. REFLECTION
With the projected increase in the number of children affected by ASD, local
community programs should be required to accommodate the children who participate
in sport and recreation programs. It is necessary for parents and concerned individuals
to put a lot of effort in finding a suitable activity for them or accompanying them during
the activity. It is also the responsibility of the people to show awareness and sensitivity
towards children or people with ASD. We should also develop communication strategies
or techniques to present the sport or activity so that children with ASD would
understand it better. Each child with ASD is unique so it is important to validate our
measures in communicating and interacting with them to assure its effectiveness.
The sport manager should develop and implement programs based on community
support, knowledge of autism and effective practices to meet the needs of the children
and families affected by autism.
Therefore, a better understanding of the factors related to sport is essential for
allowing families, service providers and policy makers to improve involvement for youth
with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
IV. REFERENCE
V. SUBMITTED BY:
1. Ric Carlo R. Ladrero
2. Vanessa D. Duero
3. Rani N. Duterte

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