Welcome
Team Heroes
Coaches
Who we are!
Team Heroes Inc is a non for profit sports program created specifically for
children who are on the autism spectrum.
Team Heroes Inc. Mission Statement:
*Team Heroes will provide families of children with autism the opportunity to
participate in a sport, in an integrated setting. The sport will be run in a
modified manner in order to reach the child’s individual needs.
*Team Heroes Inc. will provide families of children with autism with
materials/supplies they need in order to educate their child.
Goals Targeted: Gross motor skills, Teamwork, Sharing,
Social Skills, Turn taking, Waiting, Sportsmanship
Autism
“a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and
nonverbal communication and social interaction, usually
evident before age 3 that adversely affects a child’s
educational performance. “ (IDEA)
Autism is a “Spectrum” disorder, a group of disorders with
similar features, which can range from mild to severe.
Autism is typically referred to as “Autism Spectrum
Disorder” (ASD). People with ASD vary widely in abilities,
intelligence, and behaviors.
Our sports stars fall across this spectrum regarding behavior,
language/communication abilities and cognitive
development.
Behaviors & Characteristics of Autism
Large variety and extremely varied
• If you have met ONE child with autism, you have met ONE child with
autism. Just as no two people are the same; no two people with Autism
are the same. All individuals should be treated with respect and
compassion.
• Repetitive activities and stereotyped movements: self soothing/calming
behaviors-rocking/flapping. Ritualistic behaviors-example- needing mom
to drive the same way to soccer camp each week; always needing to kick
the soccer ball into the same goal or work with the same coach
• Resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines -- requires
structure with flexibility built in- introducing new/unfamiliar activities with
visuals and/or language to prepare the child. A visual picture schedule
with new activities- such as soccer camp added in to prepare the child for
the change in routine
Behaviors & Characteristics of Autism
• Unusual responses to sensory experiences: loud noises,
lights, and certain textures or food or fabrics. The sun
on the field, the texture of a new t-shirt, the cut grass
–affect our children in a variety of different ways.
• Social issues such as trouble interacting with peers,
disinterest in peers, saying whatever comes to mind
even if it’s inappropriate, difficulty adapting to change,
sensitive to being touched. Social skills that many
people learn by watching others may need to be taught
directly to people with ASD.
Behaviors & Characteristics of Autism
• Difficulty understanding emotions, facial expressions
and social cues. Children on the spectrum can’t always
distinguish when someone is happy or sad.
• May prefer solitary play or appear disinterested or
unaffected by those around them. May refuse or
passively accept hugs or signs of affection.
• Difficulty regulating emotions, may lead to reactions
that may seem inappropriate. Example: tantruming
when denied/delayed access to a preferred item such
as a favorite snack.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• The only scientifically valid methodology in which to treat
child on the autism spectrum.
• Team Heroes Inc is structured on the premises of Applied
Behavior Analysis
• In very general terms – ABA is a practice of taking a large skill
and breaking it down into smaller more manageable skills.
Example: Child has difficulty following directions. Directives
are simplified and taught one at a time. (“Come Here”, “Sit
down”). Teacher modeling, practice, and generalization of the
skill follow.
• ABA methods are intended to support persons with autism
spectrum disorders in many ways:
• To increase behaviors (increase on-task behavior, or social
interactions) and to teach new skills (life skills, communication
skills, or social skills);
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Continued
• To maintain behaviors (self control and self monitoring
procedures)
• To generalize or to transfer behavior from one situation or
response to another (completing assignments in the
resource room to performing as well in the mainstream
classroom);
• To restrict or narrow conditions under which interfering
behaviors occur (modifying the learning environment); and
• To reduce interfering behaviors (self injury).
(adapted from ASAT website)
View- YouTube -Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis
video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyCx-OLzgJw
Communication
• Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS): a book consisting of pictures/words
of items the individual needs/likes/wants on a
consistent basis. Example: bathroom, cookies
Communication
• Dynavox: a speech communication system
using an electronic device that incorporates
the PECS. It can “speak” for the child, making
for easier & more functional communication.
Communication
• iPad: Currently most popular & functional
assistive communication devise. The iPad
offers a large variety of apps or applications to
assist and encourage language and social
skills.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement
• “catching” a kid doing something you want them to do and
rewarding it. The child gets attention and reward as positive
reinforcement for doing the right thing and will focus on repeating
that behavior
Why does it work?
• gives children positive goals to work towards instead of focusing
on negative consequences to avoid. Positive reinforcement fulfills
strong basic psychological needs of every child as well as setting a
more positive and healthy tone for the parent-child relationship.
Visual Teaching Methods
Social story
Soccer
Token Economy System
Visual Schedule
First/Then Boards
Grandma’s Law
What is a Coach???
• Websters definition – one who instructs or trains
• To our children a coach is: a leader, a teacher, a
cheerleader, a positive role model
• To our families a coaches provides: structure,
education, help, respite from judgment, criticism
View Video
Peter H. Reynolds and produced by FableVision, movingly conveys the
loneliness that a child on the autism spectrum often experiences, and
the life-changing impact each of us can have when we reach out and
embrace them.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzSr5F8gt3o
What do we expect from you?
• Strong positive attitude- smile on your face -any
issues – keep them off the field
• Dedication- our children & Team Heroes need you!
Please make every effort to attend
• Judgment free environment- be aware of your words,
looks, gestures –think before acting!!!
• Model appropriate behavior – in your actions, dress
and attitude
• Be prepared- wear you badge, T-Shirt, whistle
• Big Smiles, lots cheering and encouragement!!!
Appropriate Language & Behavior
• Child first language at all time – Our sports stars are children first. Ex: John
Smith is a child affected by autism, not an autistic child.
• If a child is displaying difficult behavior-please seek out an experienced
board member for help. Example: Ellen, Mrs. Smith needs your help.
Please avoid commenting on inappropriate behaviors.
• If you are unsure if parent requires help- ASK! Example: Is there anything I
can do? Could I get you something?
• If you are unsure of a response to a parents question-Please check with
Ellen or a senior board member. Let the parent know you will ask Ellen and
find out the answer for them. (when appropriate)
A Day At Camp!
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Arrive: 9:30 AM Set up cones, goals and equipment, go over targets for the day
10:00 AM First Session Arrives (3 -5 years old) Greet with smiles initially-later, hi5’s,
Pat on back as appropriate
Warm Up Exercises – stretching- practice following a “Do This” directive
Skill Set: Dribbling through cones
Skill Set: Kicking ball into goals
Game: Stop-Go
Water Break!
Skill Set: Passing with a Partner
Skill Set: Kicking into Goals
Game: Stop-Go
Good Game! Hi5’s down the line for coaches & players- Good Sportsmanship!
11:00 Second Session Arrives (6 – 9 years old)
Second Session – Same basic routine as the first
11:45 Clean Up- pack up materials
SAFETY
Whistles are our alert system that a child
has eloped or is in serious danger (running
in street, etc.). You will be given a
coaching whistle to be used for this
purpose and this purpose only. We fully
expect to never need to use or hear them.
Please take the use of your whistle
seriously. Our children’s lives depend on
it.