Program
Special Education M.A.
Year Approved
2017
First Advisor
Larson, Susan
Abstract
Today a majority of adolescents do not participate in the recommended daily level of physical activity. Students with disabilities, including students on the Autism Spectrum scale, especially lack participation in physical activity. The benefits of regular physical activity include better physical health, improved cognition, and increased social skills. However, a significant number of barriers prevent students from participating in physical activity. Lack of physical activity has severe consequences for adolescents. Students may be more susceptible to illness, develop poorer motor skills, have reduced focus ability, focus resulting in emotional hardships and fewer opportunities to socialize with peers. Educators, family, friends, and community members need to work together to combat barriers that exist for students. Interventions, training, increased funding, more appropriate facilities and equipment, and more physical activity opportunities, are only a few of the ways to increase physical activity levels. Researchers should continue to study which strategies are most beneficial for increasing physical activity levels among adolescents.
Degree Name
Special Education M.A.
Document Type
Masterʼs thesis
Recommended Citation
Lane, A. K. (2017). A Panoramic View of How Physical Activity Impacts Students With Disabilities, With an Emphasis Focused on Students on the Autism Spectrum [Masterʼs thesis, Bethel University]. Spark Repository. https://spark.bethel.edu/etd/381
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