Syracuse University Fit Families Program: Autism

Syracuse University Fit Families is designed to increase the activity level and frequency of
the children through modified activities using adapted equipment and, importantly, to
increase the families' comfort level in having the children participate in a variety of
physical activities, including team and individual sports. By increasing physical activity
levels, investigators can reduce sedentary behaviors that lead to conditions such as obesity
and cardiovascular diseases. The investigators will provide a series of workshops that will
also teach children and families how to access nearby facilities and modify familiar
activities, resulting in health benefits for all. Children, and parents will be involved in
developmentally designed, land-based and aquatic physical activities. Parents will be engage
in vibrant discussions with professionals and other parents who share similar experiences.

Services provided through the Syracuse University Fit families program are designed to
improve the emotional, social and physical well-being of the participants. This program will
include 1) educational seminars for parents on topics that improve awareness, advocacy, and
access to community services; 2) inclusive games and modified sports for children, and
parents to improve self-awareness, social interactions, and physical fitness; 3) individual
consultation with physical activity professionals to address children's and families' social
and recreational needs; and 4) opportunities for social networking for families participating
in the program, including mentoring of youth by adapted sports athletes.

The project is proposed to run from November 2015 through June 2017. Five one-day workshops
will be offered annually to participants covering topics of: 1) sensory integration, 2)
communication, 3) motor development and physical activity; 4) aquatic; and 5) sport
opportunities (individual and team sport). As part of program evaluation, the investigators
will be conducting measurements on parents (e.g., quality of life, physical activity levels)
and children (e.g., social communication, sensory behaviors, quality of life, physical
activity levels, blood pressure). The investigators will assess these in a pre-post fashion
in order to determine whether the program has led to generalized improvements in these areas.
The testing procedure requires minimal invasion and it is not overwhelming for the
participants. The investigators have implemented similar procedures in previous programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders

- Children with autism spectrum disorders 5-11 years old

- Must be ambulatory

- Must be able to follow verbal or picture directions with support.

- Must not exhibit aggressive behavior.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Children with autism spectrum disorders younger than 4-11 years old

- Children with autism spectrum disorders older than 11 years old