Declan Goes to Boot Camp!!

In the past I have written about Weight Gain Concerns for Children With Autism.

I had been noticing that Declan was starting to gain some weight.  Well, a lot of weight.

And since his favorite activities include Xbox and YouTube with a side of pizza, I needed to make some changes.

When I looked into the matter online I found that the research hinted obesity in people with autism is different from the general population. For one thing, weight problems in autism seem to follow a specific course: The pounds start to pile on at a younger age, and persist into adulthood more often. Many people on the spectrum have heightened senses, plus a fondness for routine, which makes them averse to new tastes and textures and susceptible to unhealthy eating patterns. And motor and social impairments, along with an affinity for screens, can limit physical activity.

Also, a 2014 study of more than 6,000 children and teenagers on the spectrum found that they are more than twice as likely to be overweight and nearly five times as likely to be obese as their typical peers.

So, I was super excited to get an email last week helping to guide Declan to a new, fun activity where he was getting some exercise!

Declan went to CAB Boot Camp!

I was so excited to see him try something new – with a smile!

According to the article found, here  – Children with autism might have low muscle tone, troubles with fine motor control and slower reaction times.  Also, quite a few have sensory problems, poor bilateral coordination skills and poor hand to eye coordination.

The best therapy to help learn or gain those skills?  Exercise!

For Declan, the windmill is one of the hardest exercises to do.  Trying to figure out which hand is supposed to go on which foot always perplexes him.  But by the end of the session yesterday, he was getting way more right than he ever did before!  Awesome!

Declan moved his body.  He did some heavy work, which is great for his sensory needs.  He had quality social interaction with his training buddy.  AND some of his buddies from High-5 soccer were there to say Hi to!

And I think it is just great a place thought to include children with autism into their weekly exercise schedule.  How awesome is that?

Declan tired out.  When given the offer to pick three more drills to do, he chose the warm-ups 🙂  But he had a great time and left feeling like a million bucks, excited to go back again next week.

And even flexed his new muscles after such a great workout!  Declan gives boot camp to big thumbs up!