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Recognising World Autism Awareness Day in sport and physical activity

Today (Wednesday 2 April 2014) is World Autism Awareness Day. To recognise the day, the English Federation of Disability Sport is highlighting the opportunities for people with autism to take part in sport and exercise across the country. The national charity is also promoting the support available to providers, like clubs, including resources for coaches and leaders.

World Autism Awareness Day is an annual celebration. It aims to increase and develop world knowledge of autism, celebrate the unique talents and skills of people with autism. The day is also a great occasion for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) to publicise the fantastic opportunities provided across the sport and fitness sectors.

Around 700,000 people in the UK have autism. Together with their families, they make up around 2.8 million people whose lives are touched by autism every day.

Autism affects people in different ways and to different extents, so the difficulties and behaviour you see in one person may vary to that which you see in another. This is why autism is known as a spectrum condition. You will often see it referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

As the National Autistic Society says:

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

In EFDS’s Lifestyle Report released in September 2013, the findings showed that disabled people with social and behavioural issues are:

  • significantly less likely to think of themselves as competitive (35% compared to 63% disabled people overall)
  • more likely to find ‘expense’ a barrier to participation (67% compared to 29% disabled people overall)
  • more likely to find the fact that they need support a more significant barrier to taking part than other disabled people (50% compared to 25% disabled people overall)
  • significantly less likely to take part to get fit (34% compared to 60% disabled people overall)
  • significantly less likely to use the internet to find about new hobbies and interests (54% compared to 78% disabled people overall)

Light it Up Blue

Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism.

In honour of this day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and shops are among the thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light It Up Blue.

Buddy in front of goal

Examples of activity opportunities for people with autism

There is a huge array of opportunities available for people with autism. Many National Governing Bodies of sport provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy their sport in different ways. Below are a few examples of opportunities which support people with autism.

Promoting athletics for people with autism

England Athletics is supporting clubs, Run England groups and AthleFIT sessions to get involved to show their support and raise awareness for autism. They are also encouraging people with autism to take part in athletics locally. More information on registering is on this link www.englandathletics.org/disabledathleteinfo

Horse riding for people with autism

At the Riding Association for the Disabled (RDA) their horses and ponies provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to disabled people all over the UK. Their network of 500 volunteer groups organise activities such as riding, carriage driving, vaulting and showjumping to up to 28,000 people each year. This includes many centres that specialise in opportunities for people with autism. RDA has also provided volunteer training to understand people on the autistic spectrum.

As a well-renowned horse riding school in Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands and with a team of approachable and empathetic trainers, Beoley Equestrian Centre provides specialised horse riding lessons for children with autism, asperger's and ADHD. To continue their work in this area they work with a number of autism schools in the region. There are several horses and ponies used regularly for disabled riders and two of these received Long Service Medals after many years of dedication.

Find out more about their work on the Beoley Equestrian Centre website.

Access Fitness

Access Fitness is the UK’s first specialist disability and mental health focused gym located at the Wellness Centre at the Concord Sports Centre in Sheffield. The Centre is also an Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited facility- a programme that the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) manages.

Access Fitness is a unique partnership between autism plus, Sheffield United Community Foundation and SIV – Concord Sports Centre. They offer structured training programmes lead by their qualified fitness instructor who has a background in disability and mental health support.

The sessions aim to specifically meet the needs of the individuals so they can exercise in a more comfortable, welcoming environment. They have designed the space to be person-centred, user-friendly and easy to navigate with colour-coded footprints and equipment as well as adapted communication tools, fitted with the latest equipment. Their individual exercise plans are fun and personal, helping people with autism and other impairments to access a healthier lifestyle.

As part of the gym, members have their own personalised plans to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Members also have the option of either one-to-one support or attending small exercise groups. Family members are also welcome to attend sessions.

To find out more about Access Fitness in Sheffield visit their website here.

Support for coaches and leaders

  • Sportscoach UK has produced fact sheets on coaching people with specific impairments alongside the National Disability Sport Organisations. There are also further fact sheets which have been developed in conjunction with the National Autistic Society and provide coaching awareness on autism, asperger syndrome and ADHD. You can download the fact sheet on coaching people with autism here.
  • The National Autistic Society also provides guidance for activity leaders and sports instructors. 
  • EFDS is working in partnership so more young disabled people can enjoy sport and physical activity. Sainsbury’s Active Kids for All offers free training for schools and community groups to develop inclusive PE and sport for disabled people.
  • The EFDS Inclusion Club Hub is a free online toolkit for providers to access better practices and resources. Created to support clubs to include more disabled people at a local level in sport and physical activity, the toolkit has been an overwhelming success with other providers too. 

Recognise the day in your sport or facility 

For more information visit the dedicated website for World Autism Awareness Day.

Promotion

Blue is the colour

You could turn your website or social media pages blue to recognise the Day. Or encourage your colleagues, members or volunteers to wear blue for the day.

EFDS would like to hear from providers who are recognising the day in sport or exercise opportunities. Please email your stories to Sarah Marl or call 07764 291671.