autism exercise specialist certification, plus more
Last week I finished the Autism Exercise Specialist certification and what I learned is going to have a lasting impact on my work. I’m a person that needs to fully connect with the material I am learning in order for me to not only get started, but to finish. I attribute this superpower to my ADHD. (wink) I wasn’t expecting to feel a connection to this course at all, nor was I really expecting to learn anything new. But, I did on both accounts. Honestly, this certification is helpful for any person who may ever have an interaction with someone, a parent of someone, or a friend of someone with autism. Why? Because it demonstrated the numerous ways to instruct and communicate with those on the autism spectrum. Specialized tools and programming felt equally important as having awareness, patience, and compassion. Videos within the course showed the spectrum of autism and how we can do powerful things together no matter where they are.
We all know that exercise is beneficial for every body, but populations who are typically left out need exercise the most. It isn’t ok to only instruct to the neurotypical person or just the CIS person, or the thin body, or just the people who can afford your services. We really need to not only educate ourselves but we also need to open ourselves up to working with neurodiverse populations as well as the populations that are being left out.
My own practice has evolved by offering a sliding scale, free community workouts, and donation-based classes for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent kids. Also, I have researched and practiced various learning styles, grounding techniques, and mindful strategies to better serve clients who enter the gym space. What the autism course demonstrated that felt completely congruent with myself, was truly meeting the client where they are in that moment. Yes, this goes for anyone walking into your training space, but I’m talking about 100% being attuned to the person in front of you - mood, movement, essence of who they are, any resistance, anxiety, fear, strength, coordination, flexibilty, desire and willingness… just all of it. Sensing where a client is and what they could need in the moment is the key. And we need to educate ourselves and better equip ourselves with tools to be more impactful and of greater service to them.
That’s what I’ve been working so hard on dialing in because I know there are so many more people who want a coach or trainer but maybe aren’t sure if they fit in. They do. Let’s make it happen. :)
