Autism In Real Life

In this episode, I got a chance to talk with Eric Chessen, Founder of Autism Fitness about how he has made it to bring effective, fun, and meaningful fitness and Adaptive Physical Education programs to as many on the autism spectrum as possible. 

When just beginning his career as a fitness trainer over fifteen years ago, Eric had the opportunity to develop fitness programs for teens on the autism spectrum and undergo high level ABA training both clinically and academically. As he became increasingly dedicated to working with this unique population, Eric found a near-total lack of information concerning best practices and approaches when creating fitness programs for those with autism.

Steadily, and over the course of a decade working with hundreds of athletes who had significant variance in their ability levels, he began to create the outline for Autism Fitness as a business and mission; providing not just fitness programs, but effective and reliable fitness programs for every individual with autism and related disabilities. Autism Fitness was to serve as a bridge between the professional fitness and autism communities (families, educators, and therapists).

Today, with his athletes in the greater New York Area, the Autism Fitness Toolbox, and the Autism Fitness Certified Practitioner program, Eric continues to build a gateway towards a more optimal, independent future for the ASD community and future generations. When not working with his athletes he is either in the gym, playing outside with friends, or reading.

In this episode, I got a chance to talk with Eric Chessen, Founder of Autism Fitness about how he has made it to bring effective, fun, and meaningful fitness and Adaptive Physical Education programs to as many on the autism spectrum as possible. 

When just beginning his career as a fitness trainer over fifteen years ago, Eric had the opportunity to develop fitness programs for teens on the autism spectrum and undergo high level ABA training both clinically and academically. As he became increasingly dedicated to working with this unique population, Eric found a near-total lack of information concerning best practices and approaches when creating fitness programs for those with autism.

Steadily, and over the course of a decade working with hundreds of athletes who had significant variance in their ability levels, he began to create the outline for Autism Fitness as a business and mission; providing not just fitness programs, but effective and reliable fitness programs for every individual with autism and related disabilities. Autism Fitness was to serve as a bridge between the professional fitness and autism communities (families, educators, and therapists).

Today, with his athletes in the greater New York Area, the Autism Fitness Toolbox, and the Autism Fitness Certified Practitioner program, Eric continues to build a gateway towards a more optimal, independent future for the ASD community and future generations. When not working with his athletes he is either in the gym, playing outside with friends, or reading.

In this episode, I got a chance to talk with Chris about his passion for helping people connect and find adventure through surfing to positively impact their physical and mental well-being. Gnome Surf offers one-on-one sessions, group workshops and full on camp experiences. If you want to learn more about surf therapy and if it something that would be interesting to try for you or a loved one, listen in to learn more.

More From Gnome Surf:

Gnome Surf is a 501c3 Non-Profit Surf Therapy Organization providing surf therapy, art therapy, eco therapy, and yoga therapy to children and families of all abilities, on the autism spectrum, down syndrome, and LGBTQ youth. We dream of a world where acceptance and kindness are the norm for individuals with special abilities. At Gnome Surf our athletes are free to be exactly who they are and their every dream is encouraged.

We have a world class research team, comprised of neurologists, doctors, and world renowned researchers and activists. Our research team is responsible for defining and implementing therapeutic programming, collecting data from our athletes, and analyzing the therapeutic effects of surf therapy to advance the cause for individuals who benefit tremendously from its healing qualities.

Learn more at http://www.gnomesurf.com/

In this episode, I got a chance to talk with Chris about his passion for helping people connect and find adventure through surfing to positively impact their physical and mental well-being. Gnome Surf offers one-on-one sessions, group workshops and full on camp experiences. If you want to learn more about surf therapy and if it something that would be interesting to try for you or a loved one, listen in to learn more.

More From Gnome Surf:

Gnome Surf is a 501c3 Non-Profit Surf Therapy Organization providing surf therapy, art therapy, eco therapy, and yoga therapy to children and families of all abilities, on the autism spectrum, down syndrome, and LGBTQ youth. We dream of a world where acceptance and kindness are the norm for individuals with special abilities. At Gnome Surf our athletes are free to be exactly who they are and their every dream is encouraged.

We have a world class research team, comprised of neurologists, doctors, and world renowned researchers and activists. Our research team is responsible for defining and implementing therapeutic programming, collecting data from our athletes, and analyzing the therapeutic effects of surf therapy to advance the cause for individuals who benefit tremendously from its healing qualities.

Learn more at http://www.gnomesurf.com/

In this episode, Tony and I have an in depth conversation on how special interests can impact the lives of those with autism. We talk about the impact on behavior, emotional regulation, relationships, anxiety, education, employment and so much more!!

Professor Tony Attwood PhD is an internationally recognised clinical psychologist, educator, and author.  Recently featured on ABC’s Australian Story, Tony is one of the world’s foremost authorities on autism.  His book Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals is an international bestseller and seminal in the field.

Attwood & Garnett Events
Resources from Jessica Kinglsey Publishers

In this episode, Tony and I have an in depth conversation on how special interests can impact the lives of those with autism. We talk about the impact on behavior, emotional regulation, relationships, anxiety, education, employment and so much more!!

Professor Tony Attwood PhD is an internationally recognised clinical psychologist, educator, and author.  Recently featured on ABC’s Australian Story, Tony is one of the world’s foremost authorities on autism.  His book Asperger’s Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals is an international bestseller and seminal in the field.

Attwood & Garnett Events
Resources from Jessica Kinglsey Publishers

In this episode, I talk a little bit about special interests and how important they can be in an individual's life.  Do you or someone you know have an intense focus on a particular area?  Perhaps it's ballet, robots, lizards, dogs, trees or maybe its Pokemon, Minecraft, Star Wars, Star Trek, McDonald's, Harry Potter, or a whole list of other amazing topics that can hold interest for hours on end.  Listen in to learn more about how and why these interests can be so impactful. 

In this episode, I talk a little bit about special interests and how important they can be in an individual's life.  Do you or someone you know have an intense focus on a particular area?  Perhaps it's ballet, robots, lizards, dogs, trees or maybe its Pokemon, Minecraft, Star Wars, Star Trek, McDonald's, Harry Potter, or a whole list of other amazing topics that can hold interest for hours on end.  Listen in to learn more about how and why these interests can be so impactful. 

In this episode Kelley and I talk about what transition planning is and the variety of ways that it can be done.  Each Transition Plan is as unique as each individual that it is being written for.  If you are a parent or educator wondering how to start or refine the transition to post high school
Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS is Director of Transition Services at NESCA. She is also the Assistant Director of NESCA, working under Dr. Ann Helmus to support day-to-day operations of the practice.

Ms. Challen has been engaged in assessment, development, and direction of transition-focused programming for teenagers and young adults with a wide array of developmental and learning abilities since 2004. While Ms. Challen has special expertise in working with children with autism spectrum disorders and Asperger profiles, she enjoys working with students with a range of cognitive, learning, communication, social, emotional and/or behavioral needs.

Ms. Challen joined NESCA in 2013. She believes that the transition to post-secondary learning, living, and working is ongoing, and that there is no age too early or too late to begin the planning process. Moreover, any transition plan should be person-centered, individualized and include steps beyond the completion of secondary school.

To learn more about Kelley, you can go to https://nesca-newton.com/challen/

              Transition Services at NESCA

              MassHire Career Information System

              O*NET OnLine Career Exploraiton and Job Analysis

              Landmark College’s A Guide to Assessing College Readiness

              Life Skills Inventory Independent Living Skills Assessment Tool

              Casey Life Skills (CLS) Assessment

              Adolescent Autonomy Checklist

               Book: Students With Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel

In this episode Kelley and I talk about what transition planning is and the variety of ways that it can be done.  Each Transition Plan is as unique as each individual that it is being written for.  If you are a parent or educator wondering how to start or refine the transition to post high school
Kelley Challen, Ed.M., CAS is Director of Transition Services at NESCA. She is also the Assistant Director of NESCA, working under Dr. Ann Helmus to support day-to-day operations of the practice.

Ms. Challen has been engaged in assessment, development, and direction of transition-focused programming for teenagers and young adults with a wide array of developmental and learning abilities since 2004. While Ms. Challen has special expertise in working with children with autism spectrum disorders and Asperger profiles, she enjoys working with students with a range of cognitive, learning, communication, social, emotional and/or behavioral needs.

Ms. Challen joined NESCA in 2013. She believes that the transition to post-secondary learning, living, and working is ongoing, and that there is no age too early or too late to begin the planning process. Moreover, any transition plan should be person-centered, individualized and include steps beyond the completion of secondary school.

To learn more about Kelley, you can go to https://nesca-newton.com/challen/

              Transition Services at NESCA

              MassHire Career Information System

              O*NET OnLine Career Exploraiton and Job Analysis

              Landmark College’s A Guide to Assessing College Readiness

              Life Skills Inventory Independent Living Skills Assessment Tool

              Casey Life Skills (CLS) Assessment

              Adolescent Autonomy Checklist

               Book: Students With Asperger Syndrome: A Guide for College Personnel