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Many people with autism have sensory difficulties. Combining movement with proprioceptive input, an outdoor gym would provide an age-appropriate alternative for older students, helping students to regulate their nervous system, to feel more calm and alert and at the right level of arousal to learn.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Many people with autism exhibit sensory seeking behaviours in an attempt to self-regulate (jumping, spinning). These types of movement may overstimulate leading to challenging behaviour. Adding resistance through the muscles is one way of dampening down the effect of overstimulation by movement. Younger students have access to outdoor climbing equipment and swings. Access for students aged 16+ is more difficult, yet their needs are just as significant.
Solution
At Wargrave House students’ needs are met through 'sensory diets', scheduled activities which help students to regulate their nervous system, helping them to feel more organised (calm & alert) and at the right level of arousal for optimum attention and learning. An outdoor gym would provide an age-appropriate resource for older students.