The Highest Standards in Both Science and Practice

For autistic individuals, exercise is proven to increase focus, improve academic performance, reduce stereotypical behaviors, and build confidence. In partnership with the American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise Connection created this certificate to educate and empower professionals to successfully teach inclusive exercise. Equipped with evidence-based practices and understanding how support different learning styles you will become a better and more successful trainer. The results you achieve will transform lives as your clients and students make the exercise connection. 

Make a Profound Difference. Earn the Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate.

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Who Qualifies?

  • NCCA Accredited Fitness Professionals
  • Physical Education Teachers
  • Adapted Physical Education Teachers
  • Special Education Teachers
  • Behavioral Therapists
  • Physical Therapists & PTA’s
  • Occupational Therapists & COTA’s
  • Recreational Therapists
  • Speech Language Pathologists
  • Nurses

Must have current license and be in good standing

4th Year and Graduate students in respective majors above also qualify to earn the certificate

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Step 1: Webinars
(6 CECs)

$120

Completing the online learning modules is the first step to obtaining your certificate. On ACSM’s ceOnline platform, you must complete five webinars and read two research articles.

Once you pass this portion an email will be sent to you with a Certificate of Completion. Use this to register for the in-person workshop.

Online Learning Modules (Webinars)

  1. Autism 101
  2. Evidence-Based Practices
  3. Modified Client Consultation and Assessment
  4. Autism Exercise Program Design
  5. Program Management and Development
Register for Webinars
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Step 2: Virtual or In-Person Workshop
(6 CECs)

$350

The 6-hour dynamic workshop will engage, educate, and prepare participants to work with children and adults in fitness centers, homes, and in schools.

You will be led through multiple demonstrations and learn exercise techniques while emphasizing exchange of ideas with your peers.

Whether you are a fitness professional, PE/APE teacher, or therapist, you will leave with the skills to implement a structured, visual exercise program that will allow you to expand your practice and make a difference.

Register for Workshop

TO EARN THE AUTISM EXERCISE SPECIALIST CERTIFICATE, YOU MUST COMPLETE BOTH THE WEBINARS AND THE VIRTUAL OR IN-PERSON WORKSHOP.

Upcoming Workshops

  • April, 2023 Virtual Workshop

    Dates: April 17th, 18th, & 19th
    Time: Each Session Begins at 7:00 pm CT (Chicago)
    Location: Your Computer via Zoom
    * Registration closes on April 12, 2023
    * Limited to 30 participants

    * Registrants must have completed the webinar series prior to taking the workshop.

    Details & Registration

  • UMass Amherst Workshop

    Dates: Friday, April 21, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Eastern Time (Doors open at 7:30 am Eastern)
    Location: UMass Amherst
    Totman Gymnasium
    30 Eastman Lane
    Amherst, MA 01002

    * Registration closes on Friday, April 14, 2023
    * Limited to 50 participants

    * Registrants must have completed the webinar series prior to taking the workshop.

    Details & Registration

  • University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Workshop

    Dates: Wednesday, July 26th, 2023
    Time: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm Central Time
    Location: University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
    Mitchell Hall (Fieldhouse)
    1901 Campbell Road
    La Crosse, WI 54601

    * Registration closes on Monday, July 17th, 2023
    * Limited to 50 participants

    * Registrants must have completed the webinar series prior to taking the workshop.

    Details & Registration

Certificate is an Approved Provider for

ACSM

Approved for 12 CECs

ACE

Approved for Up to 1.7 CECs

NSCA

Approved for up to .12 CEUs

NASM

Approved for up to .12 CEUs

ISSA

Approved for up to 12 CEUs

AFAA

Approved for up to 12 CEUs

CSEP | SCPE

Approved for up to 15 PDCs

CANFIT Pro

Approved for up to 6 CECs
“This certificate will lead you to become a better trainer for all of your clients”
– David Geslak, BS, ACSM EP-C, CSCS

Embraced by Organizations Around the World

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ACSM is the world’s largest and most respected exercise science organization. ACSM advances and integrates scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine to over 50,000 members and certified professionals strong from 90 countries around the globe. From academicians to students and from personal trainers to physicians, ACSM’s association of sports medicine, exercise science, and health and fitness professionals is dedicated to helping people worldwide live longer, healthier lives.

ACSM's #1 Most Popular CEC Course!​

Advances in Autism Journal | November, 2020 | Frequency at which participants reported using evidence-based practices increased significantly from pretest to posttest (p = .031). Participants’ perceived self-efficacy in using evidence-based practices significantly improved from pretest to posttest (p = < .001)
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Certificate Review Professionals

FAQs

Professionals who qualify, which good standing licenses or teaching certificates are the following:

NCCA Fitness Professionals, Adapted Physical Education Teachers, Physical Education Teachers, Nurses, Special Education Teachers, Physical Therapists & PTA’s, Occupational Therapists & COTA’s, Recreational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Behavioral Specialists (e.g., BCBA)

Also, 4th year and graduate students in the above majors also qualify to earn the Certificate.

Yes. In addition to receiving CEC’s through ACSM, if you are Certified through ACE, NASM/AFAA, NSCA or CSEP you can earn the respective CECs/CEUs/PDCs.

About 12 hours. It is a two-step process to earning the Certificate:

  • Step 1 - Complete the Online Modules. Hosted on ACSM’s website, this will take about 6 hours but they are self-paced. Here is a YouTube tutorial to help you navigate through ACSM’s platform
  • Step 2 - Complete In-Person or Virtual Workshop. Both are 6 hours in total. The in-person workshop is a one-day workshop which includes lunch and breaks. The Virtual Workshop is spread out over three Zoom sessions, with the average session being two-hours.

Absolutely. ACSM and Exercise Connection are globally recognized. We have had professionals and students earn this Certificate from around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, Singapore, Bahrain, India and the United Kingdom.

If you successfully completed the Modules you should have received an email from ACSM with the Certificate attached. Sometimes this may go to your SPAM folder. You can also follow this YouTube tutorial to download your Certificate of Completion from ACSMs platform.

Yes and No. The Online Modules are on ACSM’s platform and they only accept payment via Credit Card. In regards to the in-person or virtual workshop, payments are made to Exercise Connection and we do accept purchase orders.

IF your only option is to pay via PO for both, please contact us. [email protected]

Yes. We have had many school districts, organizations and universities host the workshop for their qualifying professionals or students. For more details please contact us, [email protected]

No. Exercise Buddy is reviewed in the course because it is an evidence-based practice and supported in seven independent research studies, so we want professionals to understand the resources available for their clients or students. Once you have passed the course, we do give an extended free trial period to ACSM/EC Autism Exercise Specialists.