Coaching Special Hockey

1. Coaching Special Hockey Author: Jon Schwartz American Special Hockey Association

2. Developmental Disabilities • Affects 4.5 million Americans (1.65% of U.S. population) • Severe, life-long ailments attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested before age 22 • Substantial limitations in 3 or more these areas of major life core competencies: • Capacity for independent living • Economic self-sufficiency • Learning • Mobility • Receptive & expressive language • Self-care/direction

3. What Are DD’s? The most common: • Autism Spectrum Disorders • Down Syndrome • Neurological Disorders • (i.e. Tourette’s Syndrome) • Cerebral Palsy • ADD/ADHD

4. Autism: Definition • Autism is a complex developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, although it is sometimes diagnosed much later. It affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Common features of autism include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing information from the senses, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The symptoms may vary from moderate to severe. Two related, milder conditions are Asperger syndrome and "pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS).

5. Facts • 1 in 88 U.S. children are Autistic* • 1 in 94 in New Jersey!!!!* • Affects boys 3-4 times more often* • More than 80% are under 21^ • The number of those aged 6-21 receiving services for Autism increased from 22,664 to 193,637 (1994-2005)* • Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability~ *2010 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Study ^Autism Speaks ~Autism Society of America

6. American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) We believe hockey is the ultimate occupational therapy for developmental disabilities

7. The Power of Team Sports • Higher incidence of obesity & depression among disabled • 1.4 disabled people living in NJ alone • Team sports = physical fitness &socialization • Hockey emphasizes the development of • desirable individual characteristics such as: • Dependability • Self-reliance • Ability to concentrate • Willingness to share • Personal accountability • Gonzaga University in the midst of a 5-year study on the affects of hockey on autistic children

8. Coaching Autistic Players Northlight Photography

9. What’s So Special? • Neuro-Typical vs. Special Hockey • **3 Major Differences** • Age (5-Adult) • Degree of disability • Skill level/physical limitations

10. How Do We Do It? We make it work. Our own way… Northlight Photography

11. Games • No off-sides or icing • Penalties enforced (penalty shot TBD) • 1-2 “floaters” allowed on ice/team • 2-minute shifts • Opposing coaches work • together Northlight Photography

12. Adaptive Skill Practices • What coaches are doing around ASHA • Commonalities: • ÷ ice • ▼ player/coach ratio • Skill stations • Game situations • Free time • Fun Northlight Photography Northlight Photography

13. Communication & Instruction • Use clear, simple language & speak slowly • Ask parent if there are key phrases • Demonstrate whenever possible (coaches) • Repetition is key (routine is soothing) • Visual aids can make huge impact (spray paint) • Be aware of each child’s learning preference • Tone of voice or noise in the environment • Physical proximity *NJ COSAC

14. Comprehension THEY MAY: • Appear not to listen • Confuse direction • Fail to follow instructions • YOU COULD: • Touch on shoulder, make eye contact; understand? • “Go to top of circle” vs. “Come & stand right here” • Have them repeat • *Laurie Kennedy “Special Hockey Coaching Guide”

15. Humor, Sarcasm & Figurative Speech • Literal interpretation • “Lend me a hand.” • “Let’s hit the ice.” • “What’s up?” • “Stick down.” • “Eyes Up.” • “That blue line’s high today” Northlight Photography

16. Rules & Expectations • Expect what you expect from children WITHOUT disabilities • If players break the rules, issue a penalty like everybody else • Game rules & sportsmanship can be learned if coaches provide consistent messages • Recognize good performance • When do you need to have modified expectations? Northlight Photography

17. Safety • Hidden dangers of the locker room, practice/game environment (helmet rule) • Starts with listening to parents • Time of day can be a factor (medication) • Physical environment can present unexpected hazards Northlight Photography

18. Measuring Success What does success look like? Neuro-Typical Hockey vs. Special Hockey ?

19. Are You Successful? Have you changed behavior in a positive way? • NON-VERBAL: • Pursuing the puck • Grasp of game concept • HIGH FUNCTIONING: • Mastering puck handling • Grasp of team concept • LIFE: • Mainstream school/team • Social maturity • Employment Northlight Photography Northlight Photography

20. Being A Youth Hockey Mentor Why bother? Youth Hockey Player: Challenging/rewarding; college prep; career choice planning Youth Hockey Organization: Builds character; community relations; sets an example (i.e. parents, other hockey orgs, Atlantic District)

22. DDD TODAY Athletes Seek Better Access at Ice Rinks for People with Disabilities Ice Time For All Asbury Park PRESS Courier-News Whirlwind tour’s mission is more ice time for N.J. Disabled For Disabled, Ice Time Can Be Best of Times HOCKEY: great therapy for disabled, coach says Record Hitting 54 rinks in 54 hours, for one great hockey cause

23. Growth Baltimore Saints, MD Gateway Locomotives MORC Stars, MI FAR Flyers, MI Montgomery Cheetahs, MD Washington Ice Dogs, MD NOVA Cool Cats, VA Aston, PA Carolina CAT 5 Canes, NC Bucks County, PA Long Island, NY New York, NY Westchester, NY Pittsburgh, PA

25. Questions?

26. To Learn More Jon Schwartz EVP, American Special Hockey Association Coaching Director, New Jersey Dare Devils 201.312.8390 jonschwartz3p@yahoo.com www.americanspecialhockey.org