Way to make PE more inclusive – PE strategies for students with ASD Michelle Lau

Here are some of the strategies I have been using in during my PE classes. Most of these strategies are universal,
meaning everyone in your class can benefit from them 

1. Keep instructions short and direct

2. Use visuals when explaining rule or boundaries of a game

a. Physically walk up to the wall or to the line when the boundaries are
b. Set up cones on those lines as a visual reminder
c. If a whiteboard is available, draw out the boundaries and write down
key words related to game rules
i. Ex: tagged  (go to) blue line

3. Using balls with varying shapes, sizes, textures, colours, sounds, and weight
a. Consider using lighter or larger balls so less exertion is needed
b. Incorporate balls with bells inside when playing ball games. This
help students track the ball easier since it uses auditory senses
instead of just visual
c. Some students with ASD are sensitive to textures and colour. PE is a
great way to introduce items that feel and look different in a fun
and engaging way
d. Example game: Grab and Guard
i. Places various balls in the middle of the gym (dodge balls,
bouncy balls, soccer, football, sensory balls, tennis, bean bag
balls, volleyballs)
ii. Separate class into 4 teams, with each team in a corner
iii. Yell out a ball or criteria (volleyball or a ball that is yellow)
and each team must send 1 member out to grab that said ball/criteria and return it to their teams
iv. teams can steal from other teams until the teacher blows the whistle to signal the end of that
round

4. Allow the use of noise-cancelling headphones in the gym

a. Excited kids are LOUD, and some students with ASD may be overwhelmed by the
screaming and yelling

5. When demonstrating a game, involve the student with ASD

a. That way, they have a chance to role play and physically practice what to do if they get tagged, hit by a
dodgeball, or score a point

6. Buddy student up with peer

a. Peer can guide student with ASD through games and remind them where the boundaries are
b. If student struggles with multitasking, their buddy can catch the ball for them, pass it to them to hold,
and then run together.

7. Incorporate lots of little breaks in-between games and activates

a. Every has a chance to rehydrate and take a breather
References
Textured Multi-ball [Online image]. (2020). TEXTURED MULTI BALL SET™ - 10 PIECE SET.
https://infantino.com/products/textured-multi-ball-set-1

The Inclusion Lab. (2016, August 23). 7 Tips for Including Kids with Autism in Physical Education. Retrieved from Brook's
Publishing - Inclusive Phys Ed Classes: https://blog.brookespublishing.com/7-tips-for-including-kids-with-autism-
in-physical-education/

Whiteboard soccer stock illustration [Online image]. (2014). Istockphoto.

https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/whiteboard-soccer-gm525691447-52635530

Yellow Headphones [Online image]. (2020). 5 of the best affordable headphones for kids and teens, which are perfect
for online learning. https://coolmomtech.com/2020/08/best-affordable-headphones-kids-teens/

Zeliadt, N. (2017, June 5). Autism in Motion: Could Motor Problems Trigger Social Ones? Retrieved from Scientific
American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-in-motion-could-motor-problems-trigger-social-
ones/