PE at KS2 and autism spectrum disorder

The National Curriculum for Physical Education is statutory in all maintained, mainstream schools up to and including key stage 4. An appropriate version of the curriculum is used in maintained special schools. Key Stage 2 (KS2) covers years 3-6, children aged 8-11 years.

There is more emphasis on team work and evaluating performance. Lack of self-awareness and the inability to read what others are thinking are issues as expectations of achievement in sport grow. The pupil may realise that others find them difficult to work with in team games, so feel they are failing and become frustrated.

Children with autism spectrum disorders will find the negotiation and social skills needed for adventurous activities difficult and stressful. For example, they will not find it easy to understand why the ball is passed to someone else rather than them, so this concept will need support through talking about tactics of the game and who is best placed to receive the ball.

You can:

• Reinforce the concept of team games and turn-taking through social stories and by watching recordings of professional players and how they interact. This could be homework with a question sheet of what to look for and why.
• Be sensitive to the fact that the pupil may not be popular in team games and help them to focus on tactical issues rather than less tangible ones, for example if they can bring logic to playing a game it can help compensate for lesser co-ordination skills, for example understanding the concept of freeing themselves can be as valuable as being able to score a goal.
• Encourage individual sports, such as gymnastics, athletics or swimming.

Read in conjunction with the main challenges for children with autism spectrum disorder across subject areas, and some suggestions to help them.