TOPSoccerCoaching Tips for Kids with

Autism

By: Sharie Landsverksharielandsverk@msn.com

Autism in a Nutshell

• Information processing disorder

• Neurological difference

• Unmotivated to seek out uncertainty

• Competence is the motivator they need

The Coaches Mission

• Gross motor skills• Teamwork skills• Competence, competence, competence!

Benefits of TOPSoccer

• Someday may play soccer on a typical team• Not picked on in PE class• Interest in soccer may help them fit in• Put a big smile on their face• Great exercise• Builds Confidence• Better cooperation with others• Improved Quality of Life

Competence, Competence,

Competence!

• Plenty of chances to make goals

• Capture success before adding more difficulty to drills.

Introduce Silliness:

• Celebrate every success

• Chants and sound effects

• Exaggerate facial expressions

• Exaggerate body language

• Give them something too look at

• Create the desire, instead of making commands

Reduce the Stress

• Routines

• Uncertainty can be painful

• Structure can provide comfort

• Productively, slowly increase demands

• Visual schedule

Showing instead of telling

• Less words are better

• Language is difficult

• Sound effects and chants

• Gently guide them

• Your turn my turn

• Side by side

Declarative Language

• Avoid asking questions

• Avoid making demands

• Make Statements

• Make Comments

• Fewer words

• Slow down when waiting for a response

Motivation• Success creates motivation

• Make a bid deal about everything

• Let’s do that again!

• Use special interests

• Try different things

• Keep using what works

• Motivation is the key to success

Teamwork

• Team concept is difficult

• Emphasize success of other players

• Encourage them to celebrate each others success

• Colored jerseys, red team – blue team

The Big Picture• Many are visual learners

• Older typical kids are great role models to play with and against our kids

• Suggest parents rent kids soccer movies

• Suggest parents watch sports channel soccer games

• Soccer video games