Physical Education for Students with Autism: Teaching Tips and Strategies

Students with autism have needs during physical education that resemble their needs throughout other parts of the day. Many students with autism work with a structured and consistent routine, visual boundaries, and reduced negative sensory stimulation. Meeting these needs requires much effort on the part of physical educator because the physical education environment is different from other school environments--the physical space in which lessons are taught is larger; more people participate in the lessons; more equipment is needed to implement the lessons; and there is combined sensory input. Physical education teachers of students with autism may need to conscientiously arrange the teaching environment and activities such that they allow the students with autism to be safe, successful, and challenged without overstimulating them. This article provides specific teaching tips that have been successful when providing physical education to students with autism. (Contains 1 figure.)