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Eric Chessen, founder of Autism Fitness, combines exercise with Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in his work. Chessen believes that goal-oriented programs using the best practices for both physical fitness and optimal behavior (based on the principles of ABA and accounting for motivation and reinforcement) can yield some extraordinary outcomes for Autistic individuals.

Chessen, who has been trained in ABA methods, is passionate in his beliefs regarding the over-focus on sports is a detriment to successful fitness programs for Autistic kids. He understands that for Autistics, the major problem with trying to play sport is that they display an inability either (or all) to: interact with others appropriately/succeed physiologically/conceptualize the game or sport. He writes on his website (which includes a video demonstrating what he talks about):

ABA as a teaching methodology suits fitness and motor planning perfectly for children and young individuals with autism. We always have to develop the pre-requisite skills to any activity or program before being able to perform it independently, and with any success.

…What IS crucial is developing a reinforcing environment for movement and exercise. Small, incremental steps leading to more complex and challenging activities…

There is quite a bit more from Eric Chessen on his use of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in the ‘Teaching Exercise to children and teens with Autism’ section of his Top 8 Exercises for Autism Fitness E-Book and also in ‘Part VI) Best Methods for Teaching’ section of The Autism Fitness E-Book.

Chessen has generously detailed ideas like breaking movements down into smaller steps, pairing exercise with reinforcing activities, behaviour-specific verbal praise, prompting, and fading…

…The key to successful integration of a physical fitness program for an individual with autism is in breaking down the steps for each exercise taught; so that each component is learned and mastered (meaning it can be performed independently) prior to teaching the next step…

…New activities and movements may not be initially enjoyable, or reinforcing, for an individual with autism. Pairing the exercise or movement with a reinforcing activity (such as music, playing with a favorite toy, or the opportunity for a break), is a great strategy for developing an inherently reinforcing exercise situation…

…Fitness professionals, therapists, and parents should use verbal praise (“Great job!”) often, and attempt to make verbal praise as behavior-specific as possible (“Great job jumping up!”). This allows the athlete to identify what they did correctly, increasing the likelihood that he/she will repeat the behavior in the future. Incidentally, we all function in the same manner. When something we do has favorable consequences, we tend to repeat that behaviour…

…I am prompting my athlete through the scoop throw, and then fading the physical prompt to allow him to discover the movement on his own. Once the basic or rote skill is developed, a parent or instructor can ‘shape’ the movement, creating a less awkward or halting movement pattern. Fluidity of motion is one of those ‘know-it-when-you-see-it’ phenomenons, however it all comes down to shaping. For children with autism, developing the ability to transition from running to skipping to climbing, or any other combination of movement, is one big step…

…We want to limit verbal prompting. We don’t want too much language, do this, do that, no, don’t do it that way. We want to limit all the negative so none of the no’s, none of the “not that way,” none of the “you’re doing it incorrectly” because not only is it not reinforcing but it just plain doesn’t work… It’s not very helpful…

(sources: Motor Planning, ABA, and the Autism Athlete |; Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - FitCommerce.com; Movement Matters - Bringing Fitness into the Lives of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder - FitCommerce.com; Teaching new movements to young individuals with autism |; Page not found – Momsfightingautism.com)