Search

Showing total 2 results
2 results

1. Evaluation of the Special Olympics Canada Coaching Young Athletes Training: Part B How's it Going? A Study of Active Start and FUNdamentals Program Implementation.

Author

Temple, Viviene A. and Field, Stephanie C.

Subjects
*SPORTS participation, *EVALUATION of human services programs, *SPORTS for people with disabilities, *RESEARCH methodology, *CHILD development, *PHYSICAL training & conditioning, *MENTORING, *INTERVIEWING, *ATHLETES, *SPORTS, *PUBLIC health, *QUALITATIVE research, *PHENOMENOLOGY, *QUESTIONNAIRES, *DESCRIPTIVE statistics, *RESEARCH funding, *SPORTS events, *ATHLETIC ability, *INTELLECTUAL disabilities, *PHYSICAL education, *ADULT education workshops, *CHILDREN
Abstract

Training staff and volunteers is an important aspect of successful program implementation. This paper follows Part A of an evaluation of the Special Olympics Canada (SOC) Coaching Young Athletes Training course. Consistent with Kirkpatrick's four-level model of training evaluation, Part A evaluated program leaders' reactions to (level 1) and immediate learning from (level 2) the training. This Part B paper covers "on the job" behavior (level 3). In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with youth program leaders (n = 11) from eight provinces. Overall, participants felt that more training related to working with children with autism and promoting positive athlete behavior was needed. The findings also lead us to suggest that program leaders need to develop a more fulsome understanding of how to foster skill mastery, including how to practice the same skill in many and varied ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2023

2. "I Think She's Found Her Groove": Evaluating A Young Girl's Involvement in an Inclusive Physical Activity Program.

Author

Luymes, Nicole J., Bryden, Pamela J., and Fletcher, Paula C.

Subjects
*SOCIAL participation, *FOCUS groups, *INDIVIDUAL development, *RESEARCH methodology, *INTERVIEWING, *MOVEMENT disorders, *QUANTITATIVE research, *PHYSICAL activity, *QUALITATIVE research, *AUTISM, *QUESTIONNAIRES, *INTERPERSONAL relations, *CONTENT analysis, *SOCIAL skills, *VIDEO recording, *DISEASE complications
Abstract

Physical activity (PA) has shown promise in addressing social, behavioural, and motor concerns in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In this paper, the experience of a seven-year-old girl ("Sophie") with ASD and other psychological disorders was examined as she participated in a 10-week PA program. Her motor and social skills were evaluated before and after the program via the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Social Responsiveness Scale. PA and social interactions were analyzed based on video recordings, interviews, and focus groups. Sophie demonstrated some improvements in her motor and social skills after the PA program, in addition to gaining PA and social interactions. Sophie also gained self-confidence as she was supported by the instructor and volunteer, and acceptance as she was included in an environment with other children of varying ages and abilities. Sophie's progress exemplifies the far-reaching effects of PA when offered in an accepting environment with adequate support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2022