Are you considering getting certified to provide strength and fitness programs for the autism, neurodivergent, and special needs populations? There are some important things you need to consider!
What Does it mean to get Autism Fitness and Special Needs Fitness Certified?
Did you know that in the United States there is no actual criteria or standard for autism or special needs fitness training? Standards vary in different countries, however one thing is clear; this leads to many claims about programs that are “highly rated,” “gold star,” and “evidence-based.” Vetting them, however, is another issue entirely.
Getting certified means that you’ve gone through some type of educational curriculum, though since it is not backed by any licensing organization, the true merit of any autism or special needs certification really comes down to the quality of the training and education, the integrity and knowledge of the curriculum developers, the opportunity for actual, hands-on practice, and, of course, ongoing support and education.
First, WHO should get Autism Fitness or Special Needs Fitness Certified?
Because strength and fitness programs, particularly for the autism, neurodivergent, and special needs populations can be run in a variety of settings, there are a range of professions and backgrounds suitable for autism fitness and special needs fitness certification. These include Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Recreational therapists, personal trainers, general and Adapted Physical Educators, and parents.
Strength and fitness programs for the autism, neurodivergent, and special needs populations can be successfully implemented into homes, schools, gyms, therapy clinics, and classrooms. It is important that any and all providers have the right training and education. Safe and effective strength and fitness programming for the autism and special needs population requires comprehensive training not only in fitness programming and exercise selection, but positive behavior support, coaching, and communication. All of these things matter, and not addressing one or more will likely result in fewer successes and more confusion.
Why Get Autism of Special Needs Fitness Certified?
If there’s no “official” standard of practice, then why get autism fitness or special needs fitness certified? Great, and legitimate, question. Getting certified should provide you with an educational and practical working knowledge of autism and other special needs diagnoses including but not limited to Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other neurodiversity.
A certification cannot just provide a description of each diagnosis, but how that diagnosis relates to fitness programming. A person-centered approach is essential. An autism fitness and special needs fitness certification must focus on respecting the individual, not only using that language, but demonstrating an ethical, supportive programming framework.
So, in reality, why get Autism Fitness and special needs fitness certified? Here are the top reasons…
- Demonstrating the motivation and consideration to understand best practices and scope of practice
- Learning the technical aspects of strength and fitness programming, exercise selection, exercise modification and progression
- Understanding general and specific considerations for the autism, neurodivergent, and special needs populations as they relate to strength and fitness programming
- Developing a working knowledge of positive behavior support strategies and when/how to use them
- Understanding common fitness and coaching misconceptions, and being able to avoid them
- Being able to differentiate yourself with credentials that most other practitioners are not willing to earn
How to Choose an Autism and Special Needs Fitness Certification
Let’s start with a question…
What do you really want to get out of the certification?
Write that list down.
Do you want a basic tutorial, or a comprehensive, contingency-based program?
Do you want an easy to pass exam, or earn credentials that matter both in practice and respect across multiple industries?
Do you want a one and done? Or ongoing support from expert coaches and professionals to grow your skill sets, you program, or your business?
Do you want low-entry “movement” activities, or programming and exercise selection that has been tested and proven to build strength, motor skills, and confidence with a wide range of ages and ability levels?
Why Choose the Autism Fitness Certification?
Launched in 2017 by Founder Eric Chessen, MS, the Autism Fitness Certification was the first comprehensive, strength-focused fitness certification for the autism, neurodivergent, and special needs population.
While others have attempted to “duplicate” the Autism Fitness certification and the PAC Profile Assessment and method for the autism and special needs populations (Autism Fitness has even been contacted directly about how to do this from would-be competitors), there is simply no equal. That’s certainly a bold claim, and an easy one to make. As easy as claiming to be the “Gold Standard” certification (according to…who?).
So what sets the Autism Fitness Certification light years ahead?
- A self-paced, 10+ hour online course
- The PAC Profile assessment for identifying physical, adaptive/behavioral, and cognitive skills for any autism, special needs, and neurodivergent athlete
- Full programming and exercise selection modules
- Successfully running an assessment session
- Proven positive behavior support strategies
- Key communication and coaching practices (what to use and when, what to avoid)
- A full-color, 70-page downloadable Pro guidebook
- Program templates for 1-to-1 and groups
- An exam that actually tests what is in the Autism Fitness curriculum with feedback from Expert and Master level Pros
- You full-day virtual or in-person hands-on practical
- No guesswork. Real answers to real questions during and after your course
- Access to our Autism Fitness Pro WhatsApp group
It comes down to a difference in experience, expertise, education, and dedication to providing the best possible programs for our autism, neurodivergent, and special needs populations. That’s the Autism Fitness difference. And it starts with bringing the most effective certification possible to our Pro attendees around the world.
If you’re truly serious about bringing meaningful and effective strength and fitness programs to the autism and neurodivergent populations, the Autism Fitness Certification is your answer.
Learn How to get Autism Fitness Certified
