Page 2 - Gym Report March 2019

Coleg Elidyr Gymnasium
This report celebrates a new on-site Gymnasium
built in 2018 with funds raised by the Parents’
Association. It provides a safe all-weather
environment for the promotion and development
of students’ health and well-being.
Health and fitness Tutor Neil Harries with student Ed Graham All students have specific health and well-being targets,
Health & well-being challenges
Many young people with learning difficulties and
disabilities including those with autism have poorer
muscular strength, lower fitness and endurance skills than
their non-disabled peers.
They can also experience high anxiety levels and
sensory overloads when in unfamiliar and unpredictable
environments.
Many of our students rely on bespoke resources and
the college’s commitment to a Total Communication
environment to support their understanding and
independence.
Benefits
Accessibility: The on-site Gym means that students who
are unable to access the wider community without high
levels of anxiety and staff support can use a fully equipped
Gym within a familiar and safe environment. They are
also able to use bespoke communication resources and
exercise not only as part of week day activities but during
evenings and weekends. In turn, access to the college
Gym provides positive experiential learning to prepare
individuals to make transitions to accessing public
Gymnasiums and Leisure Centres.
Skills related fitness: The Gym has provided an on-site
and socially desirable environment where students can
develop their bodily kinaesthetic intelligence, balance,
co-ordination, visual motor control and other mobility skills.
the achievement of which is supported by the opportunities
the on-site Gym brings.
Motor Skills: Exercises and activities we are now able to
support in the Gym encourage our young people to move in
different ways. E.g. running, jumping, hopping and skipping.
Additionally engaging with different types of equipment all
serve to improve individuals’ overall motor skills.
Managing sensory overloads: Physical exercise
supports young people in engaging self-regulatory activities
to manage the sensory overloads experienced by many
people with autism. For example, repetitive weight-bearing
exercises are calming and provide stress relief. Through
these processes individuals can develop their self-reliance
skills in preparation for their post-college lives.
Independence: That the Gym is ‘owned’ by the students
supports them in tracking and monitoring their own progress.
In preparation for students’ post-college lives, a Gym Club
allows us to support young people to identify and pursue
their personal interests. Many of our young people require
bespoke and specialist communication resources which can
be readily accommodated within the Gym.
Social Interactions: The Gym provides invaluable
opportunities for the promotion of teamwork, games and
exercises. This supports social interaction, encourages
awareness of others and peer learning. This in turn has
supported our engagement with the wider health and
fitness arenas including participation in regional annual
sporting competitions and galas.