It is common for individuals with autism to experience difficulty with motor skills. Through soccer, maneuvering the ball and practicing different techniques can greatly improve their endurance, coordination, and strength.
Soccer is a team sport; therefore the key to doing well is to communicate with your teammates. Soccer can help build the skills required for communication through playing and interacting with other individuals in a natural environment.
With every sport, you either win or lose. Soccer can teach individuals with autism to have fun no matter what the end score is.
For individuals with the spectrum, social interactions can often be more challenging. Soccer can increase social interaction as the child works with an instructor, a therapist, or other individuals involved in the program. Soccer can give a positive experience with a sport, and can also help seek out lifelong friendships while learning how to take turns and partake in socially appropriate behaviors.
Behavior can be a big struggle for any family that has a individual with autism. An organized sport, like soccer, can improve their behavior because they have to practice listening to their instructor. Instructors use positive language to let your family member know what they can and can’t do, and give them a structured routine.
Soccer can be a fun outlet that allows one to relax and have some fun after a long day. It provides fun, while providing a structured play to have fun in a controlled setting.
Any individual, whether they have autism or not, gains confidence once they have mastered a skill or performed well in it. This is especially important for an individual with autism to gain confidence. In addition, self-esteem improves happiness.
By participating in soccer, one will take up an interest in it, or maybe they won’t but they will get an idea of what they like or don’t like. This will help them figure out what their hobbies and interests are in the future.
Soccer is a physically active sport, which is good for any individual. Its especially beneficial for individuals with autism because studies show that physical activity can ease repetitive behaviors and increase attention span.
By listening to the soccer instructors’ clear and simple instructions about how to perform a technique, will greatly improve their ability to follow directions, which in turn will improve their auditory processing.
