Nancy Gay, Your Health And Fitness
It can be difficult sometimes to make sure your child gets enough exercise, especially if your child has a special need.
But there is a gym in Ocoee that is making it a little bit easier.
At the Autism Gym, each child has a special need or is related to someone with a special need.
"I've learned a lot about the disability stuff," said Jacob Nachtsheim, 12, who has a brother with Down Syndrome named Alec.
At the Autism Gym, Alec Nachtsheim leads the kickball game.
"He is running from the minute he gets here to the minute he goes home, and that interaction, that energy, has him feeling better -- physically well. He's not going to get overweight," said Theresa Nachtsheim, Alec's mother.
"They won't know why they're running, all they know is that we're clapping for them, we're happy for them and they're smiling and running," said Joanne Houwers, who founded the Autism Gym.
Houwers created the gym seven years ago so her 15-year-old autistic son would have a place to go, not only to exercise, but to socialize, as well.
"They're kind of standoffish. They don't really want to play with other people, but if the ball's coming at them, they're going to catch it and hopefully they'll throw it back," Houwers said.
"There's more coordination," said Vincent Condello, whose daughter Sienna also has autism.
Condello comes to the gym once a week with his daughter. He said she interacts better and is more calm.
"Not only do the children get to exercise and socialize here, but the Autism Gym also provides a great support system for the parents," Condello said.
"I love the whole peer support. I love to talk to the other mothers," Theresa Nachtsheim said.
"We want our kids to be able to play and have a good time. We want them to swim and interact with other people and we want them to be as normal as possible and that's what I like about it," Houwers said.
The Autism Gym is free and is open to all ages.
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