Welcome Team Heroes

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Welcome Team Heroes

• Coaches

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Who we are!

• Team Heroes Inc is a non for profit sports
  program created specifically for children who are
  on the autism spectrum.
• Team Heroes Inc. Mission Statement
• Team Heroes will provide families of children
  with autism the opportunity to participate in a
  sport, in an integrated setting. The sport will
  be run in a modified manner in order to reach the
  childs individual needs.
• Team Heroes Inc. will provide families of
  children with autism with materials/supplies they
  need in order to educate their child.
• Goals Targeted Gross motor skills, Teamwork,
  Sharing,
• Social Skills, Turn taking, Waiting,
  Sportsmanship

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Autism

• a developmental disability significantly
  affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and
  social interaction, usually evident before age 3
  that adversely affects a childs educational
  performance. (IDEA)
• Autism is a Spectrum disorder, a group of
  disorders with similar features, which can range
  from mild to severe. Autism is typically referred
  to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). People
  with ASD vary widely in abilities, intelligence,
  and behaviors.
• Our sports stars fall across this spectrum
  regarding behavior, language/communication
  abilities and cognitive development.

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Behaviors Characteristics of Autism

• Large variety and extremely varied
• If you have met ONE child with autism, you have
  met ONE child with autism. Just as no two people
  are the same no two people with Autism are the
  same. All individuals should be treated with
  respect and compassion.
• Repetitive activities and stereotyped movements
  self soothing/calming behaviors-rocking/flapping.
  Ritualistic behaviors-example- needing mom to
  drive the same way to soccer camp each week
  always needing to kick the soccer ball into the
  same goal or work with the same coach
• Resistance to environmental change or change in
  daily routines -- requires structure with
  flexibility built in- introducing new/unfamiliar
  activities with visuals and/or language to
  prepare the child. A visual picture schedule with
  new activities- such as soccer camp added in to
  prepare the child for the change in routine

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Behaviors Characteristics of Autism

• Unusual responses to sensory experiences loud
  noises, lights, and certain textures or food or
  fabrics. The sun on the field, the texture of a
  new t-shirt, the cut grass affect our children
  in a variety of different ways.
• Social issues such as trouble interacting with
  peers, disinterest in peers, saying whatever
  comes to mind even if its inappropriate,
  difficulty adapting to change, sensitive to being
  touched. Social skills that many people learn by
  watching others may need to be taught directly to
  people with ASD.

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Behaviors Characteristics of Autism

• Difficulty understanding emotions, facial
  expressions and social cues. Children on the
  spectrum cant always distinguish when someone is
  happy or sad.
• May prefer solitary play or appear disinterested
  or unaffected by those around them. May refuse or
  passively accept hugs or signs of affection.
• Difficulty regulating emotions, may lead to
  reactions that may seem inappropriate. Example
  tantruming when denied/delayed access to a
  preferred item such as a favorite snack.

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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)

• The only scientifically valid methodology in
  which to treat child on the autism spectrum.
• Team Heroes Inc is structured on the premises of
  Applied Behavior Analysis
• In very general terms ABA is a practice of
  taking a large skill and breaking it down into
  smaller more manageable skills. Example Child
  has difficulty following directions. Directives
  are simplified and taught one at a time. (Come
  Here, Sit down). Teacher modeling, practice,
  and generalization of the skill follow.
• ABA methods are intended to support persons with
  autism spectrum disorders in many ways
• To increase behaviors (increase on-task behavior,
  or social interactions) and to teach new skills
  (life skills, communication skills, or social
  skills)

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Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Continued

• To maintain behaviors (self control and self
  monitoring procedures)
• To generalize or to transfer behavior from one
  situation or response to another (completing
  assignments in the resource room to performing as
  well in the mainstream classroom)
• To restrict or narrow conditions under which
  interfering behaviors occur (modifying the
  learning environment) and
• To reduce interfering behaviors (self injury).
• (adapted from ASAT website)
• View- YouTube -Introduction to Applied Behavior
  Analysis video http//www.youtube.com/watch?viyCx
  -OLzgJw

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Communication

• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) a
  book consisting of pictures/words of items the
  individual needs/likes/wants on a consistent
  basis. Example bathroom, cookies

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Communication

• Dynavox a speech communication system using an
  electronic device that incorporates the PECS. It
  can speak for the child, making for easier
  more functional communication.

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Communication

• iPad Currently most popular functional
  assistive communication devise. The iPad offers
  a large variety of apps or applications to assist
  and encourage language and social skills.

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Positive Reinforcement

• Positive reinforcement
• catching a kid doing something you want them to
  do and rewarding it. The child gets attention and
  reward as positive reinforcement for doing the
  right thing and will focus on repeating that
  behavior
• Why does it work?
• gives children positive goals to work towards
  instead of focusing on negative consequences to
  avoid. Positive reinforcement fulfills strong
  basic psychological needs of every child as well
  as setting a more positive and healthy tone for
  the parent-child relationship.

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Visual Teaching Methods
Social story
Soccer
Token Economy System
Visual Schedule
First/Then Boards Grandmas Law
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What is a Coach???

• Websters definition one who instructs or trains
  
• To our children a coach is a leader, a teacher,
  a cheerleader, a positive role model
• To our families a coaches provides structure,
  education, help, respite from judgment, criticism
• View Video
• Peter H. Reynolds and produced by FableVision,
  movingly conveys the loneliness that a child on
  the autism spectrum often experiences, and the
  life-changing impact each of us can have when we
  reach out and embrace them.
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vbzSr5F8gt3o

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What do we expect from you?

• Strong positive attitude- smile on your face -any
  issues keep them off the field
• Dedication- our children Team Heroes need you!
  Please make every effort to attend
• Judgment free environment- be aware of your
  words, looks, gestures think before acting!!!
• Model appropriate behavior in your actions,
  dress and attitude
• Be prepared- wear you badge, T-Shirt, whistle
• Big Smiles, lots cheering and encouragement!!!

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Appropriate Language Behavior

• Child first language at all time Our sports
  stars are children first. Ex John Smith is a
  child affected by autism, not an autistic child.
• If a child is displaying difficult
  behavior-please seek out an experienced board
  member for help. Example Ellen, Mrs. Smith needs
  your help. Please avoid commenting on
  inappropriate behaviors.
• If you are unsure if parent requires help- ASK!
  Example Is there anything I can do? Could I get
  you something?
• If you are unsure of a response to a parents
  question-Please check with Ellen or a senior
  board member. Let the parent know you will ask
  Ellen and find out the answer for them. (when
  appropriate)

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A Day At Camp!

• Arrive 930 AM Set up cones, goals and
  equipment, go over targets for the day
• 1000 AM First Session Arrives (3 -5 years old)
  Greet with smiles initially-later, hi5s, Pat on
  back as appropriate
• Warm Up Exercises stretching- practice
  following a Do This directive
• Skill Set Dribbling through cones
• Skill Set Kicking ball into goals
• Game Stop-Go
• Water Break!
• Skill Set Passing with a Partner
• Skill Set Kicking into Goals
• Game Stop-Go
• Good Game! Hi5s down the line for coaches
  players- Good Sportsmanship!
• 1100 Second Session Arrives (6 9 years old)
• Second Session Same basic routine as the first
• 1145 Clean Up- pack up materials

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SAFETY
Whistles are our alert system that a child has
eloped or is in serious danger (running in
street, etc.). You will be given a coaching
whistle to be used for this purpose and this
purpose only. We fully expect to never need to
use or hear them. Please take the use of your
whistle seriously. Our childrens lives depend on
it.