'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

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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 ‘athlete’ (the label he puts on anyone engaged in vigorous activity) learns to complete the movement correctly and independently. For example:

…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: “Great job standing on the spot markers!”) and can be followed with a reinforcer…

(source: Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - FitCommerce.com)