Advice on training autistic people for sport and fitness

If you have a PT or coach that lacks autism awareness then this article will help you explain your needs to them.

When training an autistic person for sport or fitness:

✔️ Explain the purpose of the activity / Exercise in language your client understands and how it will help other activities

✔️ Explain how it should feel, try not to excessively use metaphor, relate the movement to something they will understand

✔️ Explain to the client how they will know if they are working hard enough, what should be happening and what shouldn’t - eg should they be out of breath?

✔️ If in a loud or bright environment monitor them for signs of sensory overload (anxiety, seeming spaced out). If this occurs move to a quieter location (training in ear plugs helps me stay in the gym longer )

✔️ Be aware they may not notice when they are in pain or out of alignment

✔️ there will very likely be some joint hypermobility even if it is hidden by tight muscles. The muscles often lock tight due to a lack of core strength

✔️ short Achilles’ tendons are a thing. This can affect squats

✔️ Focus on core strength and activation and good alignment BEFORE starting them on a programme of hard training and explain why this is important

✔️ an autistic person will often push past the point they should stop, be aware of this when being “motivating” - are they still ok?

✔️ don’t be patronising. A lot of people talk down to autistic people. Communication style is unrelated to intelligence