With the 2024 Summer Olympics kicking off in a few days, it had us thinking about sports and kids with autism.
As a Behavioral Health Center of Excellence®, we know that with the right social and motor skills, combined with some practice, children with autism can successfully participate in sporting activities by themselves or on a team, just like everyone else.
We also know how important physical activity is for kids with autism and other developmental delays. Kids with autism are prone to being overweight precisely because they often lack the motor skills they need to be more physically active.
There are two types of motor skills. Gross motor skills have to do with controlling the large muscles in the body to perform specific tasks, such as running and jumping. Fine motor skills have to do with controlling smaller muscles, primarily in the hands and fingers, to do things like grasp a ball and develop hand-eye coordination.
To participate in sports, children typically need both types of motor skills. The gold standard early intervention for autism – ABA therapy – can help kids develop motor skills, social skills, and so much more, enabling them to reach their full potential in sports and in their life.
But, just how far can kids on the autism spectrum can go in sports? Well, we discovered they can go all the way to the top.
For some kids with autism, their potential has reached extraordinary heights in their chosen sports. Take the athletes listed below who have amazed and inspired us with their commitment, tenacity, and, of course, awesome skills!
We hope these examples of triumph inspire you on your autism journey with your child. A brighter future is possible with ABA therapy, including you cheering them on from the sidelines.
Amazing athletes on the spectrum
Chris is a medal-winning Olympian in the sport of rowing as well as an Australian national and world champion. He believes his attention to detail and obsessive drive to improve made him a successful athlete. “Being hyper-visual and super focused on details is a really good thing for finding areas to improve.” Despite struggling with communication and getting through daily challenges when he was younger, he wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was 28.
Armani is a young NASCAR driver. He was diagnosed with autism at two years old and was non-verbal during his first few years of life. One of his autism symptoms is a hyperfocus on details, which he uses to his advantage as a race car driver. His hypersensitivity to sounds and touch alerts him to issues with his car that other drivers may not even notice. He dreams of becoming of one of only four African-American drivers to win a national series race, and maybe the only one with autism.
Jessica-Jane is a Paralympics World and European swimming champion, having won almost 40 medals and setting four world records in her career. So far. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at a young age. She struggled with having too much energy, a lack of concentrations, and she didn’t communicate well. Swimming was an ideal sport because she didn’t have to interact with anyone when she was in the pool. To her, the water is peaceful and safe.
Clay is a professional surfer known for making waves with his natural affinity for his sport. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome as a teenager and struggles with holding a conversation and developing relationships. The ocean serves as his retreat from all the demands of being a surf star. Instead getting caught up with autograph signings, sponsor parties. and photo shoots, he prefers to stay in the water and “keep his gills wet.”
To learn more about autism and how ABA therapy can help your child, explore our website and contact us today. Our hives in North Texas and Boulder, Colorado, are ready to help your kiddo learn life-changing skills in a fun, caring environment that will help them score a brighter future!
