SPORTS THERAPY FROM THE POSITIVE MIND METHODOLOGY (PMM)
What is sports therapy?
Sports therapy is one of several interventions used to help individuals with autism develop. Using the Positive Mind Method, individuals with autism who are interested in sports are helped to learn skills and develop through the use of sports. Sports therapy is also used for individuals with autism who still need the sensory stimulation provided by physical activities. Sports and the Sensory System Individuals with autism have a deficit in their sensory processing. They usually seek out much more sensory stimulation than others around them. This need for sensory stimulation is also the cause of many autistic behaviors such as rocking and restlessness. Physical and sensory activities give the individual the opportunity to experience these sensations. Sports are a socially acceptable activity that can help individuals with autism receive sensory input. Sports also require the individual with autism to respond to sensory input. This thus helps in the further development of the sensory processing system, which will show imported skills in all areas of life. Sports and Social Behavior: Individuals with autism may have difficulty starting a conversation or even answering a question. Participating in sports provides an opportunity to learn how to interact and play with others. Team games help individuals with autism learn to coordinate with those around them. In this way, sports can help individuals with autism learn social skills and connect with those around them. Sports for Individuals with Autism: Each individual with autism is different and has different sensory needs. As such, each person prefers different sports that provide them with different types of sensory input. Using Sports for Learning: Sports can be used to help individuals with autism settle in and learn in school. Using Positive Mind Methodology (PMM), practices are developed that promote positive traits and focus on the area of interest that promotes the individual with autism’s positive emotions, then the emphasis can shift to specific targeted behaviors and focus on improving intrinsic values. By looking at intrinsic values, programming and interventions can be expanded to enhance these character strengths. Sports therapy for people with autism with an interest in sports therefore has many advantages and can be used to help them learn and develop. By working from the area of interest in this case sports, the person will open up and develop. Where does sports therapy take place? Sports therapy can be given by us at home, at school or in a clinical setting. At the Autism Expertise Center, sports therapy is given by a therapist or under the supervision of a therapist by a Positive Mind Autism Sports Coach.
“My son has been receiving sports therapy for some time now, I notice a good development in him, especially on an emotional level. I am very satisfied with the sports therapy at the Autism Expertise Center”
Sandra van der Vaart, Ommen
"We recommend sports therapy at the Autism Expertise Center. Our son can now express himself better and feels happier. He can now express this easily, while he previously had difficulty expressing his emotions. Together with his interest in sports and psycho-education, he has already come a long way"
Jodi Verhoeff, Hilversum