Sensory Friends
Let's stay connected:
  • Home
    • About Sensory Friends
    • Contact me!
    • Join My Email List
    • Media Page
    • Book Christine Goulbourne
  • Blog
    • Disability Blogs
  • Directory
  • Books & Resources
    • National Resources
    • Florida State Resources
    • Support Groups
    • Top Autism Sites
    • God can You Hear My Non-Speaking Voice?
    • The Rabbit in the Window
    • Podcast Guest Appearances
  • Great Giveaways!

From the Couch to the Treadmill: Get Your Child with Special Needs Moving!

10/19/2015

10 Comments

 
Get Your Special Needs Child Moving
It’s natural for children with special needs to only want to engage in preferred activities.  Who wants to exercise when they can relax and play with their phone or iPad? It may take a little creativity and positive reinforcement, but we have to try to include a healthy balance of exercise, good nutrition, and community engagement.  I know it's easier said than done, believe me.  I started taking small steps to help our family with developing better eating habits and adding more exercise to our daily routines. Even the smallest changes can make a huge difference. We replaced high sugar drinks with water, added more fruits, vegetables and salads to our meals, and we try not to snack late at night.  
Picture
We recently obtained a family membership to a community recreation center nearby. There’s a gym, swimming pool, fitness classes and other activities included.  At first, I wasn’t sure how Richie would do going to an actual gym. My thirteen year-old boy may have autism, but like any other teen, he's happiest playing with his devices at home.  I knew he used a treadmill at school, and at his dad’s, but this is a different setting with rows of different, intimidating looking machines, other people, and plenty of distractions.
​
First, we asked the folks at the gym about their busiest and least busiest times, going during off-peak hours means less distractions. Then, we allowed Richie to use the iPad for keeping him comfortable through the introduction of the different machines and their many uses.  He was able to set the device on the base of most machines while he did the exercise. Once we taught him how to position himself and use the machines, he moved like a pro! It was fun to watch him challenge himself each time he tried a new machine! 
Picture
If you don't have a gym membership, there are other ways to introduce movement and exercise to your kids. Take a walk around the block and set small goals adding distance little by little. Start by walking around the cul-de-sac or use a destination marker for a goal, for example a light-pole, a neighbors house, and just try to add a little more distance as it becomes easier to walk. I also think playing tag in and outside the house can be a fun way to get moving as well. You can try chair squats as well. I held Richie's hands and let him sit down and get up while I did them standing opposite him. 
We live in a digitally driven world and it’s a wonderful thing.  I love technology and the advancing possibilities it brings, but I also want my children to engage in non-digital activities that not only increase their ability to socialize with others, but also strengthens their critical thinking skills.  When you’re moving, so is your brain. Like everything else, it’s important for us to do all things in moderation. Maintaining an awareness of how much we eat, how much we move, and how often we use our phones, tablets, video games, or other electronic devices, is one step closer to healthier living.  
Our next family visit to the gym was without the Ipad.  Richie smiled as we walked through the gym doors, and he was able to use all the same machines he tried before without any issues.  We stayed for about forty five minutes.  The plan is for this to become a new routine for us as a family.
Picture
Unfortunately, statistics reveal that children with special needs are at greater risk for obesity.  Healthier changes won’t happen overnight, but you can begin to take small steps to get your family moving and learning healthier habits.  About two months ago, while my ten-year old step-son Tiki was at football practice, I started taking Richie to walk the high school track nearby.  Of course, that was short lived, because with the fall came earlier sunsets, and the no see-ums were in a rampant attack mode!   
Picture
If you're trying new activities with your child with special needs, and your experience isn't as positive, please remember that it won't always be for any of us.  It's not just your child that struggles. Richie has good and bad days, I know there will be days that I will need to leave the gym within five minutes of our arrival.  I expect them.   I don't always feel well, or not up to the physical challenges of exercising, and I know Richie will have those days too. His not being able to communicate those feelings makes things even harder.  Please be patient, it takes time to adapt to new changes.  For more ideas, or if your child has physical limitations, please check out this cool site for ideas and tips on healthier living. Their theme is all about: Building Healthy Inclusive Communities.
Picture
​Now, with our new memberships to a nearby family center, we’re able to go the gym as a family as often as we want.  As with any new activity, it takes time, patience, and sometimes a little creativity to get Richie to engage in different activities with us.  Richie has shown us time and time again, that he can learn new things, and that his interests can broaden and change just as ours do.  I caught Richie smiling while walking on the treadmill. We were all using treadmills that were lined up side-by-side. He kept looking over at us and smiling.  The best part of seeing him smiling, was knowing he enjoyed doing something together as a family. 

​

Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

10 Comments
Desirée link
10/19/2015 11:53:37 am

Such an interesting post. Children need to exercise. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Maybelline @ Naturalmente Mamá link
10/19/2015 07:37:01 pm

I love your post! It is up to us to change statistics and be role models to our kids, even if they have special needs. Thank you for sharing!

Reply
adriana link
10/19/2015 08:03:47 pm

Very important to get exercise and activity not good to stay in the couch besides he looks so happy at the gym =)

Reply
Sandra Perez
10/19/2015 08:04:26 pm

Que bueno es contar con este tipo de espacios donde pueden ejercitarse los chicos, que bueno que estas proveyendo a tu hijo con este tipo de actividades que conforman una vida activa y sana.

Reply
Diana Rodriguez link
10/19/2015 08:45:37 pm

Que buena informacion, se aprende mucho contigo!

Reply
Hogar Mujer link
10/19/2015 10:36:03 pm

La verdad es que los niños en general hoy en dia prefieren quedarse en casa jugando xbox o viendo tv y es super importante motivarlos para mantenerlos activos. Gracias por los tips y me alegro por tu niño!

Reply
[email protected] link
10/20/2015 12:33:29 am

That's a wonderful tip, not only for special needs children, but for everyone. It's difficult to start, but once a dedicated program is initiated, it's better for everyone. BB2U

Reply
s.yISSELE link
10/20/2015 01:38:12 pm

Excelente, muchas gracias por compartirlo, es realmente un linda experiencia, saludos y

¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
http://mamaholistica.com

Reply
Alexa link
10/21/2015 06:47:01 am

I love your post! I admire your family commitment and the fact you are encouraging your kids to do more exercise! Un abrazo

Reply
Buyvotes Onlinecontest link
1/11/2023 12:54:00 am

I have been searching for such an informative post for many days, and it seems my search just ended here. Good work. Keep posting. Thank you for the valuable information, buddy! I will undoubtedly make use of your research resources.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author: Christine Goulbourne
    [email protected] 

    Archives

    April 2025
    February 2025
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Autism
    Inclusion
    Parent Involvement
    Positive Behavior Support
    Special Education

    RSS Feed

    Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in the Google Adsense and Etsy Programs. These are affiliate/advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees (at no additional cost to you) by advertising and linking to their sites. 

An Important Note From Sensory Friends:

All information posted on the website is for informational purposes only.   Please confirm and review information carefully with your professional health care provider before considering a new regime or practice.  The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.  Sensory Friends only wishes to provide information, resources, options and networking opportunities to its members and site visitors. 
Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in several affiliate programs (Google Adsense, Awin Affiliates, and Etsy) these affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products or services. We may receive a commission if you purchase any of the linked products at no additional cost to you.  

© 2025 Sensory Friends

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now