Coaching Techniques for Kids with Autism, ADD & ADHD

1. Coaching Techniques for Kids with Autism, ADD & ADHD Practical Applications & Tricks of the Trade

2. Jo Burns, MS, CTRS • Over 15 years working with children & adults with disabilities • 9 years coaching with Special Olympics • 10 years supervising Youth Sports & Teen Athletics for kids with disabilities • Parent of two soccer players

3. Autism, ADD & ADHD – Defined Autism-condition disturbing perceptions and relationships: a disturbance in psychological development in which use of language, reaction to stimuli, interpretation of the world, and the formation of relationships are not fully established and follow unusual patterns A disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. ASD – Autism Spectrum Disorders – includes Asperger’s Syndrome, savants, from most severe & profound to high functioning.

4. Attention Deficit Disorder - hyperactivity in children: a condition, occurring mainly in children, characterized by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, and impulsive or inappropriate behavior ADD is a biologically based condition causing a persistent pattern of difficulties resulting in one or more of the following behaviors: • inattention • hyperactivity • impulsivity

5. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, and the inability to remain focused on tasks or activities. Children with ADHD have short attention spans, becoming easily bored and/or frustrated with tasks. Although they may be quite intelligent, their lack of focus frequently results in poor grades and difficulties in school. ADHD children act impulsively, taking action first and thinking later. They are constantly moving, running, climbing, squirming, and fidgeting, but often have trouble with gross and fine motor skills and, as a result, may be physically clumsy and awkward. Their clumsiness may extend to the social arena, where they are sometimes shunned due to their impulsive and intrusive behavior.

6. Athletes with Combo Diagnoses • Down Syndrome with ADHD • PDD with ADD • Bipolar with ASD • Down Syndrome & Bipolar with ADHD • Autism with motor skill delay Looking at the kid and their specific behaviors regardless of diagnoses.

7. Theoretical & Practical – Understanding Etiology • Understanding what the diagnoses is telling you • A diagnoses is merely a place to start • Understanding what causes Autism (or the fact that researchers aren’t sure), ADD & ADHD (both neurological – how does that system work) • How do the behaviors for Autism, ADD & ADHD resemble each other • Other disabilities that present themselves with similar behaviors

8. Behaviors You May See • Impairments in social interaction; impairments in communication; and restricted interests and repetitive behavior • Short attention span, hyperactivity, and poor concentration • Difficulty problem solving, planning ahead, understanding others’ actions, and impulse control. • Translated – chasing butterflies, flapping, playing with grass, running, not responding to directions, sitting on the field, digging, picking weeds, antagonizing peers, etc.

9. Processing Time • What is it and how does it work? • How does this fit with traditional coaching techniques? • These 3 disorders each require their own unique processing time. • Repeating directions does not help these kids listen. • Returning to zero each time you repeat • How they hear & understand

10. Positively Redirecting Behavior • Turning a negative into a positive • Utilizing a presenting skill or behavior & incorporating it • Recognizing kids needs for breaks • Preventing the wound-up behavior – stopping it before they go over the edge • What does each kids’ agitated behavior look like? Ask.

11. Engaging the Unengaged • Discover why the kid is unengaged • Address the core issue • Allow a break & return to play • Offer options that contribute to practice • Spend 1:1 time with coach or volunteer

12. How much do you know about your Athletes? • Things you need to know • Disability/diagnoses • Favorite things • Typical Behaviors/ Atypical Behaviors • What redirections work at home/school • Do they enjoy their peers or adults more? • What does it look like when they are agitated? • What are that child’s distracters? • How best can your reward/encourage that child?

13. Peer Modeling • Use Volunteers of close to the same age • Use 1:1 or 1:2 for most effective modeling • Have peers model the action or activity • Break into small parts • Be repetitive of the action • Put the actions all together • Reward cooperative & successful behavior

14. Keeping Activities up your Sleeve • Tricks of the Trade • Different color cones • Different color focal points, not just the goal • Watch the pace of the kids, change when necessary • Use other objects (i.e.. Frisbee) to engage, encourage running, refocus group • Use a Point A to Point B modality • Use an interrupter activity • Model the drill • Bean bags, Flags, Pennies • Visual, Physical & Auditory cues • Accommodate many learning styles

15. What works with one may or may not work with others. • Celebrate the victory • Keep trying for the next time • Keep searching for ways to connect • Write down ideas to try – they will come at the strangest times • Ask other people for ideas – parents, teachers, recreation therapists, other coaches • Take a break, but don’t give up!

16. Questions? • Ask whatever you would like.

17. Resources • http://video.answers.com/Q/dealing_with_adhd_kids_22999378 • Your local municipal therapeutic recreation specialist – Ask me for your area. • Many thanks to Rachel Silverman, CTRS & Mark Snow, MA, CTRS for their valuable input & feedback!

18. References • http://www.answers.com/topic/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder • http://www.ldpride.net/addexplained.htm#Definition: • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism • http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/attention+deficit+disorder