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Making Accommodations for Gymnasts on the Autism Spectrum

Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Bob Wilson in Gymnastics Business

Autism rates are rising and more gyms are seeing an influx of students on the autism spectrum, but guess what? Children on the autism spectrum make great gymnasts too. But how to welcome students on the spectrum and how to do that safely and correctly is a major question facing many gym owners. However, opening yourself and your business up to the possibility can also open a whole new world that’s incredibly rewarding.

Do I need special classes?

Some gyms offer special classes. For example, one gym offers a weekly class for students on the autism spectrum. The instructors are trained and the coach to student ratio is about 2 to 1.

You don’t have to do this. Many gyms find that most students with autism do great in regular classes. They may need a little more attention or focus, but it rarely detracts from the experiences of other students.

Do we need special training?

Ideally, special training would be available to instructors. If you can’t afford it or you’re looking for something less formal, consider contacting your local Autism Society. They often offer awareness and training workshops that are low-cost or free.

What happens if we simply can’t handle it?

In some cases, a child (whether on the autism spectrum or not) may need either the one-on-one attention of private lessons or the assistance of a personal aide within a group setting.

If you feel a student’s behavior or ability, again whether or not they’re on the autism spectrum, is a danger to themselves or other students or detracting significantly from the experience of the other students, you’re within your rights to talk to the parent about making other arrangements.

Am I legally required to make accommodations?

According to the Americans With Disabilities Act, yes, you need to accommodate people with disabilities and if a child is capable of participating in a regular class, you can’t exclude them. However, you are not required to offer special services specifically for children with disabilities.

For more information, call the Autism Society of America at 1.800.3AUTISM.

photo: Franklin Park Library

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Tags: americans with disabilities, autism, autism spectrum, gymnastics school