Basketball Fundamentals for Kids with Disabilities
Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go
through it, or work around it.
— Michael Jordan
For children with autism, sport-related activities, like basketball, may help lessen the negative effects of autism.
Studies show that regular aerobic exercise can decrease negative, self-stimulating behaviors like rocking, spinning or
self-injurious behaviors like head-banging. It can also temporarily increase attention span.
The highly structured routines that sports create are believed to be similar to an autistic child’s self-stimulating,
repetitive behaviors. Sport can offer a temporary, positive alternative for the child to engage in.
Sports also offers social benefits. For the autistic child, participation in organized sports offers opportunities to
read social cues, coordinate and connect with others, and to develop relationships with peers.
Children with autism will need more support in order to succeed in organized sports, but the results can be significant. Click here to learn more
