Tip Sheets
Learn fundamental strategies to help you support individuals on the autism spectrum in your community!
In collaboration with viaSport, we have developed 9 tip sheets for coaches and community recreation staff to reference when supporting athletes on the autism spectrum in a sports and recreation or community setting.
Access these free tip sheets:
- Building Rapport with Participants on the Autism Spectrum
- Collaborating with Caregivers
- Finding the Right Program
- Crisis Management for Athletes with Diverse Abilities
- Motivation Strategies for Athletes on the Autism Spectrum
- Strategies for Officials to Better Include Autistic Athletes
- Talking with other Parents about an Athlete on the Autism Spectrum
- Team Code of Conduct
- Tips for Creating an Inclusive Sports & Rec Program
We are happy to collaborate with community partners like City of Surrey, Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, TransLink, Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Science World, and Rogers Arena to create resources for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Videos
- How to Use a Fitness Center
- How to Ride The Bus
- I CAN FLY with YVR Video Series
- What To Do When You Are Lost
Maps
Online Visual Walkthrough
Checklists
How to Create Visual Supports
A visual support is a picture or other visual item to increase communication and show learners what you are saying. They help provide a concrete representation of what you are trying to communicate when you are using strategies to increase engagement, motivation, and predictability. Visual supports can be pictures, drawings, objects, words, or lists.
Watch this video on how to create your own visual supports at home:
Visual Support Templates
2 Box Choice Board or 3 Box Choice Board
Increase motivation by providing two or three choices.
3 Box Visual Schedule
Display the order of activities and increase predictability and structure (can be used as a choice board).
10 Token Board
Reinforce small steps and celebrate with a preferred item or activity after individual receives all 10 tokens.
Countdown Strip or Countdown Strip with Words or Countdown Strip with Numbers
Count down from five to increase predictability and motivation.
First/Then Board
Use a first-then board to incorporate a fun/preferred activity and increase motivation.
Wait Card
Use a wait card to provide a concrete representation of the abstract concept of “waiting”.
Video Resource Library
Video modelling can be a great teaching tool and may help some individuals on the autism spectrum learn specific skills.
At Canucks Autism Network, we use a variety of strategies to support individuals on the autism spectrum in the sport and recreation setting. These strategies can serve as instructional tools for teachers, coaches, and community recreation leaders to increase motivation, communication, predictability, and participation in community recreation.
Canucks Autism Network Video Models YouTube channel features:
- Sports and rec skills – these can be watched before trying a new sports and rec activity or in between practices to remind participants of what they are learning. Our video model library features skills and activities from swimming, soccer, basketball and more!
- Community activities – these can be watched before attempting a new activity in the community or as a helpful reminder for appropriate behaviour in community-based scenarios. Our how-to videos include “riding the bus”, “using a fitness centre” and “what to do when you are lost”.