My Day at Playground Pathways
When Lucas arrived for his first day of Playground Pathways, he was hesitant to jump right in. Joining something new can be scary, especially with new classmates and coaches. Sitting in a classroom is one thing, but climbing, jumping, lifting, and running in front of your peers is a different kind of challenge.
After Lucas was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD), his parents searched for sports and fitness programs to help Lucas work through social and emotional challenges, eventually discovering Playground Pathways. While Lucas excelled physically in many games and exercises, he struggled to have the same confidence in group settings.
Lucas’s family realized one of the key values behind Asphalt Green’s Inclusive Programs: play isn’t just about keeping you fit. It’s also about keeping you confident and connected.
After Asphalt Green’s spring season began, Lucas’s family was generous enough to let us join him for a day at Playground Pathways. Read on to see his journey!
What Is Playground Pathways?
Asphalt Green’s signature Inclusive Everyone Plays class, Playground Pathways, is a structured physical activity class that supports children of all abilities in developing foundational motor, social, and play skills in a community recreation setting.
Expert instructors lead participants through guided activities that build coordination, balance, strength, and motor planning through playground-based movements like climbing, swinging, balancing, and navigating obstacles. Sessions also feature common playground and recess games that teach students patience, communication, and social cooperation.
We aspire to help students build physical fitness, connect with their peers, and develop the confidence to participate in recreational activities for years to come.
Battle Ropes
After just a few sessions, Battle Ropes quickly became one of Lucas’s favorite exercises. Requiring both sides of the body to work together synchronously, Battle Ropes help Lucas organize his attention and energy while improving his coordination. This movement also targets the arms, shoulders, back, and core in one, offering a perfect warm-up for the rest of the session. After his first season in the program, Lucas is confident enough to do the battle ropes with his peers, matching their rhythm and sharing a smile.
Box Jumps
Next up, Lucas joined his classmates at the Box Jump station. This movement challenges Lucas physically and emotionally. Jumping to each step asks Lucas to power through his fears and take the leap in front of his classmates. For the first repetition in the station, Coach Stephen guided Lucas as he worked through each jump with classmates cheering him on. By the third repetition, Lucas felt more comfortable receiving his peers’ encouragement and takes pride in tackling the jumps on his own!
Med Ball Slam
Building on Lucas’s excitement, we transitioned quickly to the Med Ball Slam. Leveraging his strength in a controlled, purposeful way, this exercise grounds Lucas as he lifts the ball overhead, pauses, and slams it down powerfully. After completing the rep, Lucas waits patiently for his classmate to complete his turn and cheers him on.
Balance Beam
After a session full of channeling Lucas’s strength through higher-intensity exercises, we finished off with a movement that asks Lucas to slow down and focus. As he worked through the balance beam, Lucas engaged his core to control his movement, stepping slowly and independently to the end of the beam. Smiling with a great sense of accomplishment, Lucas felt confident and in control.
Learn About Asphalt Green’s Inclusive Programs
We believe everyone, regardless of background, ability, or circumstances, deserves access to the transformative physical, mental, and social benefits of physical activity programs. At Asphalt Green, everyone plays because sports, fitness, and play are for all.
Asphalt Green’s Inclusive Youth Classes are geared toward empowering participants with support needs, including but not limited to ADHD, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Gross Motor Delays, Down Syndrome, and more. Before enrollment, we ask parents to complete a detailed intake form to record each athlete’s needs and goals. From the first day of class, we build relationships with each athlete, getting to know their athletic strengths, weaknesses, and motivators, to identify areas of focus. Our commitment is to support participants at every stage, because no athletic journey is the same.
If your athlete or someone else you know is ready to play, check out our full range of Inclusive Programs below, including soccer, swim, basketball, and more! There’s a spot for you on our team.
