Show me around
Gym spaces can be overwhelming for some young adults with disability.
Take time to show them the different areas in the gym. Show them how to use the equipment.
It’s a good idea to repeat this process a few times so they feel safe, seen, and comfortable.
Orientation
Being shown how to use the gym space and equipment
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Asking the young adult with disability what they want and need.
Time to familiarise the young adult with disability to the physical environment including:
Access
Change room facilities
The gym environment and spaces
The equipment
The exercises
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1 -2 times for most people
More often if the young adult requires:
Extra support
Repetition of information
Time to learn and adapt to a new environment
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Ensure the young adult with disability is safe and feels safe
Adapt exercises, equipment and problem solve in consultation with specialists, if available
Don’t rush
Some young adults with disability need extra support structures
Visual or electronic aids
1 : 1 support at all times
A gym support coordinator or contact person
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Gym staff
Specialists (e.g., exercise physiologist or physiotherapist) who know the young adult
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Disability training or experience
Involvement of carers
Communication with specialists
Young adult, aged 25 years
“Everyone needs [orientation]…support is really important when you’re starting something new”
Lived Experience
Our research could not happen without the individual and collective contributions of those with lived experience of neurodivergence, and those who love and care for them.
We acknowledge and value their unique expertise. Their perspectives are crucial to our mission to enrich the lives of Autistic people, their families and their carers through high-quality scientific research, innovation and translation and our vision for a world where Autistic people, their families and their carers thrive.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge that we work on the unceded lands of many traditional Indigenous custodians in Victoria and across Australia.
We recognise their ongoing connection to the land and value their unique contribution to our research, and to wider Australian society.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present and thank them for their ongoing care of this beautiful country’s land, skies, and waterways.
Diversity
We are committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination. We welcome all people irrespective of neurotype, ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation or gender identity.