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Description

Neurodivergent children face significant barriers to participation in youth sports due to a lack of coach education and inclusive practices, which limits access to the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional benefits of recreational activities. This doctoral capstone project aimed to address these barriers through the development and implementation of CoachAbility, an app-based educational course designed to equip youth sports coaches with neurodiversity-affirming approaches. The course includes interactive modules, scenario-based quizzes, and downloadable resources covering key areas such as sensory processing, communication, emotional regulation, inclusion, family collaboration, and motor skill development. Participating coaches at KidStrong Carlsbad completed the course over four weeks. Pre-course needs assessments and post-course surveys, alongside class observations, were used to evaluate program outcomes. This project highlights the value of occupational therapy-led training for community-based recreational leaders and aims to promote inclusive coaching practices that enhance access and participation for all athletes.

Publication Date

Spring 4-21-2025

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Mobile application, Neurodivergent, Youth sports, Coaching, Autism, ADHD, Emotional regulation, Motor skills

Medical Subject Headings

Occupational therapy, Youth sports, Mobile applications, Emotional regulation, Athletes

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, held online at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences April 21, 2025

An App-Based Education Course Empowering Coaches to Support Neurodivergent Athletes

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