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Business & Tech

FitLife Gets Kids with Autism Active

The Ivyland fitness center joins with Autism Cares Foundation to motivate young athletes with autism

As owner of a three-location sports performance and physical training business, Evan Orchinik didn’t particularly have autism on his radar. About six months ago a client mentioned he’d welcome an opportunity to get his son with autism active. 

Autism, which tends to appear in children during the first three years of life, affects social and communication skills. This makes it a challenge for children with autism to get physical activity, since organized sports and even playgrounds can be fraught with conflict and confusion.

Inspired, Orchinik joined with Autism Cares Foundation to organize a six-week trial run of exercise and games each Thursday night designed specifically for those with autism. About 25 young people age 13 to 20 had run of the gym, using the equipment, navigating obstacle courses and playing games.

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Those with autism are often quite sensitive to frustration and disappointment, so a parent or grown sibling accompanied each athlete.

The FitLife team took the cause under their wing and participated in the Autism Cares Foundation Race for Resources in Tyler Park this past November.

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“It was a real feel-good experience,” said Orchinik of the Thursday evenings at the gym. There was a learning curve for Orchinik and his staff. “It’s a challenge keeping their attention.”

The test run was so successful that FitLife began an eight-week session for 30 young people in February and Orchinik is considering making it a continuous event each Thursday evening.

“Each Thursday,” said Orchinik, “it’s like a party. It’s awesome to see the kids, how happy they get.”

 

For information about the free program call (215) 322-1499 or visit www.onlinefitlife.com

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