A newly launched app is the first of its kind to specifically teach individuals with autism to exercise.
Through the app, ExerciseBuddy, autism fitness specialist David Geslak uses exercise visuals and peer-led videos to teach children with autism how to exercise.
“Video modeling is a proven way to teach individuals with autism how to perform certain tasks, such as showing them how to do jumping jacks,” Geslak says. “One of the most exciting things about our videos is that they are peer-led, with three teenagers who have autism demonstrating the exercises.”
He says exercise has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and increase attention span and on-task behavior.
The ExerciseBuddy app is available in the Apple store. For more information, go to exercisebuddy.com.