My main job is leading group lessons on adaptive physical education (hereinafter referred to as AFC) for children of different ages with ASD.
The main task of such classes, of course, is the development of communication among our children, learning to communicate with each other and behavior in a group.
In ROS training, there are several methods for developing such a necessary skill:
1. Game method:
- at the initial stage, one-by-one interaction with each student individually;
- gradual involvement of several children in interaction between each other;
- we come to team adapted sports games with simplified rules.
2. Competitive method:
- relay races that perfectly develop physical qualities and a sense of a partner; children with ASD respond well to such tasks.
- paired relay races;
- adapted individual with the support of the child by all students;
- team.
3. Working in pairs to practice a certain skill - first with a coach, then with each other (the most difficult option).
It is also useful to perform rearrangements, warm-ups in motion and other exercises, holding each other, massage each other, etc. For children with ASD, it can be difficult even to just hold hands.
It is important to teach children:
1. Address each other.
2. Help each other.
3. Not to be afraid to touch / hold each other, to feel a partner.
4. Play with each other.
5. Initiate action.
Any game can begin with a child's complete misunderstanding of the task, rules, “not seeing” a partner, etc. The main thing for a coach is to provide the necessary physical / visual / verbal cues and persistently go forward.
The coach needs to feel the children, start with the simplest, be able to adapt any game to the level of the students and gradually include the students in the most difficult type of communication for them - team games.
You can watch video examples of group forms of classes here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXlfCc7sXJT/
The child's communication already begins with interaction with the coach, going through the door of the gym.
I believe that children with ASD must have both individual and group forms of training in the training plan.
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