# 'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism **URL:** \ **Category:** Lounge\ **Created:** [June 5, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615 "2011-06-05T05:40:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/101 "2012-03-09T16:41:19Z")
Inspired by those with added challenges Furthermore there is that capacity in people to be truly inspired šŸ™‚ by being around and working with people with disabilitiesā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦But the surprise was how [Walgreensā€™ Disability Employment Initiative] changed the employees _without_ disabilities. > One team member talks about how he is a better father to his children because of the character building that has happened within him as he has learned from the tenacity of those with disability he is surrounded byā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦ā€œYou just have a greater appreciation for people after working with someone like Lucas, [an employee with Aspergerā€™s Syndrome]ā€ says Graham. ā€œIt benefits your organization and brings morale up. Iā€™m a better person for knowing and working with Lucas.ā€ > [@](#): > > ā€¦ā€œDana [founder of _AmpSurf_] inspires you to be a better person,ā€ [Frank, a volunteer with _AmpSurf_] said. ā€œHe propels me to take on more things and be successful at themā€¦ā€ (sources: [Walgreens: Same Standards, Same Pay for People With Disabilities | inclusionparadox.com](http://inclusionparadox.com/walgreens-same-standards-same-pay-for-people-with-better-results/); [Human Resource Executive Online - Aspies in the Workplace](http://www.hreonline.com/HRE/story.jsp?storyId=533322194); [VeteransĀ’ champion: Co-founder of AmpSurf widening his impact | The Tribune & SanLuisObispo.com](http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/10/08/1789185/veterans-champion-co-founder-of.html)) Furthermore skills of others can be enhanced by interacting with people with Autistic Spectrum Disordersā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Another thing Iā€™ve learned about people who donā€™t know someone with autism; assumptions are automatically made about their abilities. In fact, when I told another friend about the tours with Erikā€™s Minnesota Adventures, he was astonished that the experience guides are able to conduct the tour. This lack of awareness about autism is a huge barrier and even more reason for people to get to know individuals with autism. These tours are designed to do just that. They are at the heart of our purpose; bidirectional integration (a term we coined). Or in simple language, this kind of exposure helps those with autism gain socialization, communication skills and self-confidence as experts in an area. **It helps those without autism expand their socialization, communication skills and self-confidence in interacting with different capabilities.** Seems like a win-win to meā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦ **ā€œEmployers are recognizing the benefits of hiring an employee on the autism spectrum,ā€** [Erin Onacki, the employment service program coordinator of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)] said. **"Theyā€™re seeing thereā€™s a huge benefit to their organization. It has diversified their work environment, changed the dynamic for their employees** and used us as a resource for their friends and family."ā€¦ (sources: [Job Opportunities: Taking the Road Less Traveled | Erik's Ranch & Retreats](http://eriksranchandretreats.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/job-opportunities-taking-the-road-less-traveled/); [http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/05/01/20120501phoenix-center-links-autistic-adults-jobs.html](http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2012/05/01/20120501phoenix-center-links-autistic-adults-jobs.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/102 "2012-03-11T20:09:48Z")
This thread has been about how people with Autism Spectrum Disorders can do quite well in a rural work setting, for example on farms. Part of that success, no doubt, comes from the regular forced long hours of exercise that farmwork requires of people. Eric Chessen is an Exercise Physiologist who is the Founder of Autism Fitness (formerly known as Theraplay-ny and Beyond Boundaries Fitness). Chessen has implemented Autism-specific exercise programs into homes and educational programs across the United States. Here are his top 5 exercises for teenagers with Autismā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦1) Sandbell Squats > Teenagers with autism MUST squat. Squatting correctly both prevents low back pain and strengthens the legs, trunk, and back. In our Autism Fitness programs we do a variety of different squats with the Sandbells. I like switching from holding the Bell at the chest to behind the neck for different weight distribution and to correct form. > > 1. Double Rope Swings > Rope swings are fantastic for developing upper body power as well as **strength endurance (more important for teenagers with autism than cardiovascular endurance)**. I love rope swings and even incorporated them into the PAC Profile as an assessment of, among other things, coordination. > > 2. Overhead Press (with Sandbells, Med balls, Dumbbells, or Thick Rope) > The Overhead press is important for shoulder strength and stability, and carries over (generalizes) to a great many other skills in daily life. **Teenagers with autism often exhibit poor posture with shoulders that ā€˜rollā€™ forward. You cannot simply fix this by ā€˜standing up straight.ā€™** > > **Including overhead presses in fitness programs for teenagers with Autism is a must.** > > 1. Medicine Ball Scoop Throws > Scoop throws incorporate squatting, upper body power, coordination, reaction, and social interaction/partnering. Many of my teenage athletes with autism learn to squat better doing this throw. > > 2. Sandbell slams > I havenā€™t worked with a teenager on the spectrum yet who hasnā€™t loved slamming the Sandbells ā€¦ repeatedly on the floor. This activity promotes, flexibility, power, and can be used in some great partner activitiesā€¦ (source: [The Top 5 Exercises for Teenagers with Autism |](http://www.ericchessen.com/the-top-5-exercises-for-teenagers-with-autism/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2012, 5:44am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/103 "2012-03-13T05:44:35Z")
People with Autism Spectrum Disorders also have distinctive ways of walkingā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Dr Rinehart, a clinical psychologist, has more interest in that process than most. For several years she has been studying the distinctive way of walking apparent in children with autism and Aspergerā€™s disorder. The research aims to help clinicians make earlier diagnosis of these two afflictions. > > How do they walk? With a click of the computer mouse Dr Rinehart brings up an animated skeleton on screen, the digitally duplicated movements of a real-life patient. ā€˜ā€˜This is a child with autism,ā€™ā€™ she says. ā€˜ā€˜They have a much more variable bouncy gait.ā€™ā€™ The skeletal figure moves awkwardly with the right arm swinging across the body, rather than back and forward, and the pelvis shifting oddly from side to side. > > There are other walking skeletons on her files ā€¦ and now a young sufferer of Aspergerā€™s. Each shows the effect of the particular brain malfunction on the bodyā€™s motor movements. > > ā€˜ā€˜You can see the difference in the upper body posture,ā€™ā€™ she says of the Aspergerā€™s boy. ''In some ways we feel we are looking for a needle in a haystack because it is a very subtle disturbance in gait. This is one kid out of a large sample. They donā€™t necessarily all look the sameā€¦ Here is a video by Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, on the common gait disturbances he sees in his Autistic clients and how certain exercises can help resolve them: [EC Blog shuffling Steps June 30 09 on Vimeo](http://vimeo.com/5402258) (source: [Could gait unlock the keys to autism and Aspergerā€™s?](http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/could-gait-unlock-the-keys-to-autism-and-aspergers-20110327-1cbx8.html)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/104 "2012-03-14T01:15:42Z")
What Eric Chessen (as well as other Autism Exercise experts I will write about in future posts) promotes is a change to the stereotype of a person on the Autism Spectrum. In the video on the professional surfer Clay Marzo (_Just Add Water_), there are comments like he breaks down stereotypes - as an ultrafit professional athlete, doing something for his career that few can imagine someone on the Autism Spectrum could do. It is refreshing and opens minds up about peopleā€™s capabilities. At the moment, and in the past, when people talk about Autism, they might think of Temple Grandin, or a socially-impaired computer nerd (if they think of someone with Aspergerā€™s Syndrome), or _Rain Man_. _Rain Man_ was a 1988 film starring Dustin Hoffman as an Autistic Savant, a character largely inspired by the real life Kim Peekā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦The film won four Oscarsā€¦ > > ā€¦Mr. Peek was not autistic ā€“ not all savants are autistic and not all autistics are savants ā€“ but he was born with severe brain abnormalities that impaired his physical coordination and made ordinary reasoning difficult. He could not dress himself or brush his teeth without help. He found metaphoric language incomprehensible and conceptualization baffling. > > But with an astonishing skill that allowed him to read facing pages of a book at once ā€“ one with each eye ā€“ he read as many as 12,000 volumes. Even more remarkable, he could remember what he had read. > > [Peek] had perhaps the worldā€™s most capacious memory for facts. > > ā€¦In ā€˜Rain Man,ā€™ the autistic character, Raymond Babbitt, has been institutionalized since he was very young but is reunited with a cynical younger brother, Charlie (played by Tom Cruise), who had forgotten about his brotherā€™s existence. (The title comes from Raymondā€™s recollection of the infant Charlieā€™s name for him.) The two men take a cross-country trip, and fraternal reconciliation ensues. > > The movie, a critical and box office success, was not based on Mr. Peekā€™s life, but in preparing for the role, Mr. Hoffman visited with Mr. Peek and incorporated many of his characteristics ā€“ a shambling gait, peculiar hand movements and occasional blunt utterances ā€“ into the character of Raymond. > > ā€¦In the wake of ā€˜Rain Man,ā€™ Mr. Peek became something of a celebrity, emerging from his shell to travel around the country giving demonstrations of his talent and advocating tolerance for the disabledā€¦ (source: [Kim Peek, Inspiration for ā€˜Rain Man,ā€™ Dies at 58 - The New York Times](http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/27/us/27peek.html?pagewanted=all)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/105 "2012-03-16T02:26:56Z")
Eric Chessen, the Founder of Autism Fitness, is someone whose mission is to bring the benefits of exercise to Autistics. Interestingly, like [Specialisterneā€™s pre-testing of employment candidates using Lego technology](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/specialisterne-leveraging-the-unique-skills-of-autistics-at-competitive-market-terms/50245/14), Chessen stresses the importance of assessment of the abilities of an individual. The PAC Profile assesses Physical, Adaptive, and Cognitive (with relation to movement activity) abilities of the individualā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦The PAC Profile is used to assess the three most important areas of functioning specific to developing and implementing a successful fitness program for individuals with [Autism Spectrum Disorders]. The Profile measures Physical, Adaptive, and Cognitive abilities ā€¦ allowing the user to determine at what level the athlete is currently performing. Each of the three areas of functioning has three possible levels of ability: High, Intermediate, and Low. > > **Physical Functioning Criteria** > High: Can perform with mastery-level (independent) ability at least 15 of the 20 PAC Profile activities including at least one of the following: Bear walk, Frog hop for 10 yards. Does not exhibit fatigue following a brief period (\>30 sec) of movement. > Intermediate: Can perform with mastery-level (independent) ability at least 10 of the 20 PAC Profile activities. May exhibit some motor, strength, and stability deficits. > Low: Performs fewer than 10 (\<10) of the PAC Profile activities. Exhibits significant motor delays with strength, stability, endurance, and range of motion/flexibility. > > **Adaptive Functioning Criteria** > High: Athlete is motivated to perform a variety of fitness and physical education activities and requires no secondary reinforcers (BSP withstanding) to readily engage in fitness sessions. Athlete is cooperative and eager to try new exercises or variations of mastered activities. May also engage in creative input and offer different options for games or activity chains. Is comfortable with competitive situations if they are employed. > Intermediate: Will perform three or more consecutive exercise activities (or activity up to five minutes) when a reinforcer is provided following completion (five minutes of activity followed by 2-3 minute access to break, preferred music, book, etc.). May have rigidity regarding competitive or creative game play, getting upset if he/she ā€˜loses.ā€™ > Low: Performs less than three consecutive activities (or activity less than five minutes) before engaging in escape or avoidance behavior (including but not limited to wandering or running away, tantrums, non-compliance/refusal to follow instructions, and destructive activities). Requires high rates of secondary reinforcement for compliance (Performs two exercises and is provided 20 mins of leisure time). \*BSP stands for Behavior-Specific Praise which is a technique derived from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). So the instructor provides positive feedback immediately following the individualā€™s action. For example, rather than saying ā€œGreat job!,ā€ a more effective response would be ā€œGreat job bending knees and jumping!ā€ This tells the individual, in exact terms, what they did well. (source: [http://pacprofile.com/PAC-Profile-exerpt.pdf](http://pacprofile.com/PAC-Profile-exerpt.pdf)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/106 "2012-03-17T16:52:10Z")
Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, is someone whose mission is to bring the benefits of exercise to Autistic children especially. Chessen believes in following exercise strategies that are likely to improve fitness in Autistic children, and does not believe in focusing on sports. He prefers compound movements - which are activities that require several muscle groups to perform. These are big movements that have great generalization to other life skills, which would make them useful in everyday life for children (and adults) with special needsā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦What I have to demystify the most is: Sports do not equal fitness. People look at sports as the top of the pyramid. Thatā€™s the ultimate in physical fitness. What sports are, actually, is a branch on a tree. The roots and trunk of that tree are general movement and fitness. The easiest way to injure a child is to have them do one activity or one sport over and over and over. Itā€™s the same movement patterns. > > ā€¦Plus, if weā€™re looking from a long-term developmental standpoint, how many people really stick with [sports they played as kids?]. > > ā€¦The point is, sports are not bad. Itā€™s just that weā€™re looking at an activity that is, number one, very, very specific and doesnā€™t really generalize to daily life skills. People say: ā€œWell, they play baseball. How come they have balance problems?ā€ Because if you look at a baseball game, youā€™re standing and then you get up at bat once or twice, you take a couple swings, and then youā€™re standing again. And then youā€™re sitting in the dugout. > > Thatā€™s fine. Again, I have nothing against sports. **But, number one, team sports are very difficult for a number of kids on the spectrum. Number two, everybody whoā€™s listening right now, if you take nothing else away from this conversation, sports are not the be all-end all of physical fitness.** If your child does not play sports, itā€™s not a big deal. Now, people marketing the sports programs will tell you itā€™s a big deal and that they can instill confidence and self-esteem and socialization. Yes, if the child already wants to play that sport and becomes adept at it. But itā€™s not going to enhance all those other general motor skills. Again, itā€™s not against sports. Itā€™s the reality of sports versus general fitness. (source: [Interview with Eric Chessen, founder of Autism?Fitness Other Peopleā€™s Words](http://transcribery.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/eric-chessen-2/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/107 "2012-03-18T19:18:27Z")
Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, also understands in the importance of strategies to ensure long-term exercise compliance of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As much as possible, he tries to figure out individualised ways to make exercise something that is fun for each of his clients, whom he calls athletes (broadening the traditional definition of ā€˜athleteā€™ to include anyone who moves on a regular basis)ā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Iā€™m using some technical terms, but this is really all play. This is all fun. This is throwing around balls and jumping and skipping and crawling. This is all fun stuff. If itā€™s _not_ fun, which is the case for a lot of my athletes on the autism spectrumā€“a lot of times, exercise and movement are not fun to start out with, which is why over time we pair it with reinforcement. We use a lot of praise. We pair it with other things that they like, whether it be music or favorite books. We make it work for that individual or for that group. For me, who believes and understands exercise at such a very minute and such a special level because of my personal experience and because of where my careerā€™s taken me, there are some kids Iā€™m just _amazed_ at the turnaround within a couple weeks or a couple months, or even over several years. All the sudden this becomes part of their lifestyle. So it can work for every individual. We just have to make it adaptive. Thatā€™s really what adaptive fitness is and should beā€¦ (source: [Interview with Eric Chessen, founder of Autism?Fitness Other Peopleā€™s Words](http://transcribery.wordpress.com/2010/07/03/eric-chessen-2/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/108 "2012-03-20T03:12:59Z")
Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, combines exercise with Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in his work. Chessen breaks up whole movements down into smaller, easier to learn skills, which are taught in order, with an appropriate level of reinforcement. Gradually the ā€˜athleteā€™ (the label he puts on anyone engaged in vigorous activity) learns to complete the movement correctly and independently. For example: > [@](#): > > ā€¦A progression for a push-up could look like this: > > Step 1) Stand on two spot markers > Step 2) Lie on stomach in prone position > Step 3) Place feet together > Step 4) Push upper body up to 1/2 lockout of arms > Step 5) Push upper body and trunk up until arms lock out > Step 6) Return to starting position > Step 7) Perform 2 full repetitions > Step 8) Perform 3 Full repetitions > > Each time an individual step is completed successfully during a session, that action is reinforced immediately with verbal praise (ex: ā€œGreat job standing on the spot markers!ā€) and can be followed with a reinforcerā€¦ (source: [Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - FitCommerce.com](http://www.fitcommerce.com/Blueprint/Page.aspx?pageId=806&tabindex=5&cpid=1454-2)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 6:14am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/109 "2012-03-20T06:14:02Z")
Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, believes that fitness is a gateway to other positive life improvements for Autistic people, and not necessarily an end to itself. For example, Autistic people usually have poor endurance for many tasks (at least those that they are not obsessive about)ā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Building resilience or tolerance to new activities is a pivotal aspect of creating a successful exercise program. I often tell the parents that I work with to begin with short durations of exercise (maybe 2-3 movements or 3-5 minutes) or to build in many breaks or access to preferred items and activities in-between exercise targets. The goal, of course, is to build tolerance to longer durations of exercise. But in-between activities do not have to be sedentary. > If the athlete already enjoys bouncing a ball or jumping on a trampoline, that can be used not only as a reinforcer following exercise, but as an activity in-between target exercises. Slowly lengthening the duration of activities can develop greater functioning in the areas of: > > - Task adherence > -Focus > - Problem solving > - Self-regulation under demand situationsā€¦ (source: [Developing Resilience for Young Individuals with Autism |](http://www.ericchessen.com/developing-resilience-for-young-individual-with-autism/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 6:22am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/110 "2012-03-20T06:22:00Z")
Indeed a recent book focuses on building resilience for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The book is based upon principles of positive psychology which is an area of psychology focusing on what works in successful situations. _Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders_ by Goldstein and Brooksā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Empowers children to problem-solve on their own and learn from mistakes rather than feel defeated by them > Teaches parents how to discipline while instilling self-worth, and how to build an alliance with their childrenā€™s schools > Offers practical tips for long-term solutions rather than just quick fixes > Drs. Brooks and Goldstein provide parents with the tools they need to instill social resilience in their children and help them communicate with others, make friends, embrace optimism, and most importantly, to be happyā€¦ (source: [McGraw-Hill Ryerson \> Professional \> Media \> Miscellaneous \> Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders](http://www.mcgrawhill.ca/professional/media/miscellaneous/raising-resilient-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorders/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 6:33am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/111 "2012-03-20T06:33:26Z")
Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, likes to use simplified alternatives for Autistic children wherever possible. Alternatives that are fun for this group to do (so that they will keep doing them!): > [@](#): > > ā€¦Pushing and pulling are fundamental areas of strength development. While I have used push-ups for assessment and implementation purposes, many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty performing the exercise correctly and, while certainly a teachable skill, they may be a more long-term goal. For immediate (and fun) use, I look to the band. Exercise bands come in a variety of resistance levels, are portable, extremely versatile, and inexpensive. Bands can be used for pushing, pulling, rotation, and adding a challenge to just about any movement. > > Pulling a band strengthens the posterior chain and, when held, can be used for grip correction/strengthening, as well. Pushing the band aids in developing core stability and upper body strength. Bands can be pulled bilaterally or unilaterally, making single arm or single leg exercises possible without the inclusion of dumbbells or other objects that may not be the most desirable for use. In the world of autism, items are occasionally dropped or thrown during instances of maladaptive behavior. While tolerance of novel objects/equipment is developed, bands offer a safe and very effective alternative, as do soft medicine ballsā€¦ (source: [Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Part II - FitCommerce.com](http://www.fitcommerce.com/Blueprint/Page.aspx?pageId=823&tabindex=5&cpid=1471-2)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/112 "2012-03-20T06:44:02Z")
A note on the previous post. Bands improve grip strength. A recent study by Kern et al., _Autism severity and muscle strength: A correlation analysis_, has shown that Autism severity is correlated with hand strength and this opens up the door for treatments that improve hand strength to be studiedā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦3. Discussion > The more severely affected a child with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] was, the weaker the childā€™s hand strength. The apparent relationship between autism severity and hand strength has interesting implications. First, it suggests that [Autism] may not be just a mental disorder, but a medical condition that may also includes physical disability. Studies in [Autism] suggest a motor coordination component, impairments in motor development, hypotonia, and poor sensory motor functioning in Autism Spectrum Disorders (Greenetal., 2009; Hardanetal., 2003; Mingetal., 2007; Minshewetal., 2004; Mostofskyetal., 2009; Piek & Dyck, 2004; Provostetal., 2007). > A second implication from the apparent relationship between autism severity and muscle strength is that treatments in autism may need to address the physical or medical disabilitiesā€¦ (source: [Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - Part II - FitCommerce.com](http://www.fitcommerce.com/Blueprint/Page.aspx?pageId=823&tabindex=5&cpid=1471-2)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 12:51am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/113 "2012-03-21T00:51:19Z")
Indeed, devices that improve hand/grip strength may also be beneficial in terms of calming often-racing Autistic minds. Here is a review on the _Gripp Ball - Microwaveable Therma Gripp Arm & Hand Strengthener_ from a customer on [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com): > [@](#): > > I work with a child with Autism and we use this ball to help calm his nerves. It words very wellā€¦however there is another brand Therma Gripp that he uses which is a better tecture, but that one blew up in the microwave! SO BE CAREFUL! > GREAT PRODUCT! (source: [Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Gripp Ball - Microwaveable Therma Gripp Arm & Hand Strengthener](http://www.amazon.com/Gripp-Ball-Microwaveable-Therma-Strengthener/product-reviews/B0012GZCG8)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/114 "2012-03-21T01:09:46Z")
Here are some more exercises that should help improve hand strength in Autistic children. This is very important, of course, for classroom activitiesā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦ **Squeezing Exercises** > Children can improve their overall hand strength with these fun squeezing activities. Have the child squeeze water from a washcloth or sponge. Spray bottles provide good resistance; the child can squirt water into potted plants or help clean a table or window. The child can also squeeze koosh balls, squishy balls or therapy putty. > > **Pinching Exercises** > Pinching exercises help develop strength in the thumb and fingers. The child can make a pie with putty or play dough and pinch the edges with thumb and index fingers. Objects that encourage pinching include clothespins, tongs, tweezers and pegs. > > **Manipulation Exercises** > Manipulation exercises help develop the small muscles inside the hand and allow the child to experience greater function with his fingers. Have the child pick up three small objects with thumb and fingers, hiding them in his hand. Then have the child use his thumb and fingers of the same hand to retrieve the objects from his palm and drop them into a small container. Flipping coins, tearing paper and turning dials can help develop rotational movements. > > **Awareness Exercises** > The child with autism may have impaired sensory perception of her body in space, and may not be adequately aware of her hands and fingers. This can lead to weakness and poor use of muscles. You can work on increasing her awareness by having her play with textures such as shaving cream, dried beans, or sand. Tracing the hand and imitating finger plays also helps increase awarenessā€¦ (source: [Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Gripp Ball - Microwaveable Therma Gripp Arm & Hand Strengthener](http://www.amazon.com/Gripp-Ball-Microwaveable-Therma-Strengthener/product-reviews/B0012GZCG8)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/115 "2012-03-21T01:24:43Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). In a 2006 study at Arizona State University by Adams et al it was found that Autistic children with low muscle tone had very low levels of potassium. However, this does not necessarily mean that increasing Potassium in the diet will solve the issue, as it may just be an indicator of low activity levelsā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦For the subgroup with low muscle tone, the finding of low potassium was large and statistically significant. Potassium is needed for muscle contractions and is released during periods of activity. Low potassium in the hair is an indication of low muscle activity. The low muscle activity could be the result of low potassium in the body overall, but hair measurements are inconclusive regarding this pointā€¦ (source: [http://media.mercola.com/imageserver/images/thyroid/analysestoxicmetalsinhair.pdf](http://media.mercola.com/imageserver/images/thyroid/analysestoxicmetalsinhair.pdf)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/116 "2012-03-21T01:31:45Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). Carnitine supplementation may also be useful for improving muscle tone in Autistic childrenā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦The Cincinnati Childrenā€™s Hospital Medical Centerā€™s Department of Enzymology has identified two patients with the ā€œcarbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndromeā€ through alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotyping. The carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein in the serum of these patients produces a band on polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing that moves cathodally of the Z-band. In the area of carnitine deficiency, there is, for example, less than 5% of normal muscle carnitine concentration. After carnitine supplementation, patients unable to talk or walk, with hypotonic musculature and symptoms of autism, became able to walk with the help of a walker. They could stand alone for short periods, and they acquired an interest in their surroundings. The common findings of carnitine deficiency were an impaired ability to walk, muscular hypotonia, reduced muscle carnitine concentration, and an improvement in locomotion while on carnitineā€¦ (source: [Autism: An Overview and Theories on its Causes](http://www.healing-arts.org/children/autism-overview.htm)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/117 "2012-03-21T01:42:40Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). Hypotonia affects various parts of the body and not necessarily just parts relating to exerciseā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦that low tone means that muscles tend to remain loose and relaxed more than muscles that have ā€˜normalā€™ muscle tone. That relaxed tone of the musculature in and around the mouth can result in drooling. Sometimes the speech of children with low muscle tone is imprecise, as the muscles arenā€™t contracting completely enough or with the necessary speed to arrive at the contact target necessary to produce precisely articulated speech. Since the child youā€™re referring to is nonverbal, you wonā€™t be able to consider his speech as evidence of low muscle tone, though you may notice sluggishness in some of his other oral movements. How does he do when he eats? Do you notice some sluggish movements of the lips and tongue, or Is he a messy eater? Though low muscle tone may not be readily apparent, there may be some overt signsā€¦ (source: [Pediatrics: excessive drooling, excess drooling in kids; causes of kidsā€™ drooling, 8 yr. old drools excessively](http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-1429/2009/3/excessive-drooling-1.htm)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/118 "2012-03-21T01:49:42Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). Here is another article detailing the connection of low muscle tone with other problems that you might not expect to be related to the issue: > [@](#): > > ā€¦ **Symptoms Associated with Low Tone** > Fatigue/low arousal - The bodyā€™s inefficient processing of nutrients results in reduced available energy overall. > > Reflux/Constipation - Poor or reduced trunk tone can cause stomach flaps to flop, thus impeding food movement. Poor sitting posture or ā€˜slumpingā€™ can be a result of soft trunk muscles. > > Weak chewing and poor/picky eating - Low tone in the mouth affects mastication, causing drooling when saliva pools in the open mouth. > > Poor visual tracking - Weak eye muscles struggle to control and coordinate eye movements. for constipation. It can cause loose stools or stomach distress in some casesā€¦ (source: [http://devdelay.org/newsletter/articles/pdf/356-how-nutrition-impacts-muscle-tone.pdf](http://devdelay.org/newsletter/articles/pdf/356-how-nutrition-impacts-muscle-tone.pdf)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/119 "2012-03-21T02:36:26Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). Aside from treating Hypotonia with supplements, one can also adapt the exercise environment to deal with this issueā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦Swimming assists with normalizing the muscle tone in children, according to Childā€™s Play Physiotherapy and Aquatics for Kids. When you are in the water you become weightless, which allows low muscle tone to become less of a hindrance. Additionally, swimming improves gross motor skills, which builds low muscle tone. Children with low muscle tone often lose their balance and fall; swimming assists with this problem. Children who swim build their coordination and maintain their equilibrium betterā€¦ Here is a video of a child with Hypotonia improving his symptoms while having an enjoyable swim: [Water Fun - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEcVjefP5Tg) (source: [The Best Sports For Kids With Low Muscle Tone | LIVESTRONG.COM](http://www.livestrong.com/article/339847-the-best-sports-for-kids-with-low-muscle-tone/)) ---
**Author:** ![Visionary7903](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/45deac/32.png) [@Visionary7903](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Visionary7903)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2012, 3:00am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/120 "2012-03-21T03:00:15Z")
One symptom commonly found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders is low muscle tone (Hypotonia). Another fun way to improve Hypotonia, like [Swimming](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/119) and [Therapeutic Horseback Riding](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615/61), is via Rebound Therapy - the use of a trampoline for its therapeutic effectsā€¦ > [@](#): > > ā€¦The stimulatory pressure to the skin [caused by Rebound Therapy] may also increase low muscle tone: Rollings (2005) claims that tone is increased because of the stimulatory effect upon the sensory systems. The repetitive changes in pressure to the skin resulting from repetitive bouncing, may stimulate muscle spindles. The increased sensory stimulation heightens awareness in the brain and [Central Nervous System] which may result in more impulses to be innervatedā€¦ \*Rollings (2005) refers to Rollings (2005) Course Notes, Rebound Therapy Handbook: Rebound Therapy for Special Education Needs. 2 day course. Newcastle. (source: [http://www.reboundtherapy.org/papers/rebound\_therapy/dissertation.pdf](http://www.reboundtherapy.org/papers/rebound_therapy/dissertation.pdf)) [Previous page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615.md?page=5) [Next page](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/agricultural-specialisterne-rural-employment-revolution-for-those-with-autism/50615.md?page=7)