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Inclusive Exercise System that Improves Fitness and Behavior
The Exercise Buddy app is a visual exercise system that empowers people on the autism spectrum to successfully engage with physical activity, an important part of learning and development. Equipped with evidence-based practices for teaching, a fitness professional, educator, therapist, or parent has everything they need to assess performance and create custom visuals and workouts. Exercise Buddy levels the playing field for students with diverse learning needs to engage in exercise, gain physical knowledge & skills, and increase independence so they can enjoy the benefits of physical activity.
Challenging the Students, NOT the Teacher
Exercise Connection works to develop a visual exercise system that challenges and supports the students, all at the teacher’s fingertips. Our app, Exercise Buddy, offers four unique benefits for children with diverse learning needs, such as autism.Â
Improve Communication
Add Custom Exercises, upload visuals & videos
Enhance Engagement + Instruction
Save unlimited workouts using inclusive visual schedules to promote quality physical activity independently or with peers.
Equitable Assessment for All
Create customized assessments and monitor student performance
Progress Monitor
Track and report individualized exercise data to share with the student, family, and IEP team
In The School
In The Home
Six Evidence-Based Practices
Our mission is to empower parents and professionals to successfully teach exercise using strategies that are proven to work.1
Social Narratives are part of many daily routines and should not be left out of physical education or exercise.
2
Visual Supports fill special education classrooms but are often not used in physical education. EB Pro has over 300 visuals to help students make the exercise connection.
3
Video Modeling can better engage students to exercise. EB Pro has over 150 exercise videos and allows you to create custom videos.
4
Technology Aided-Instruction and Intervention is when technology is used as the central feature of instruction. EB Pro will engage students and also collect data to measure exercise development.
5
Exercise is shown to reduce problem behaviors and increase on-task behavior. Sadly, those with autism are frequently left wandering and wondering in PE. To understand and succeed in PE they need the visual supports, videos and technology.
6
Reinforcement is used to teach new skills and to increase behavior. It is a foundational evidence-based practice (EBP) in that it is almost always used in conjunction with other EBPs.
Testimonials
Parents and professionals have enthusiastically embraced the Exercise Buddy app. Read below to see what people are saying about our services.
Exercise Buddy offers multiple resources that encourage subject integration across the curriculum, multiple practice opportunities, and increased skill acquisition.
APE Teacher of the Year
Exercise Buddy has shown to be an important part of engaging our students in physical therapy and crossing over to their PE class.
Illinois High School District 86
Exercise Buddy is a game-changer for a cross-curriculum approach.
Western Illinois University
We use Exercise Buddy in our courses and program now instead of Proloquo2go since it has much more direct application to physical education content.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
In the Sensory Integration Motor Sensory (SIMS) Lab at SUNY Cortland, children using Exercise Buddy are more on-task and demonstrate improved self-regulatory behavior.
Director - Sensory Integration/Motor Sensory Movement Center
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Supporting ExerciseBuddy Research
Today, it is vital to have objective measures to document the success of exercise interventions. This research section will help you find studies that support the use of Exercise Buddy.Â
A Comparison of App-Based Video-Modeling Interventions to Teach Physical Activity Skills to People with Autism in a Community Setting
Journal of Special Education Technology
Laura Bassette, Ph.D., BCBA-D, et al., 2020
The Use of Multicomponent Behavioral Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders across Inclusive Community Settings
Behavioral Analysis in Practice
Laura Bassette, Ph.D., BCBA-D, et al., 2018
Exercise Identified as an Evidence-Based Practice for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
PALESTRA
Melissa Bittner, et. al., 2018
Assistive Technology: What Physical Educators Need to Know
Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Michael K. Laughlin, et. al., 2018
Use of Technology to Facilitate Physical Activity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study
Physiology & Behavior
Melissa Bittner, et. al., 2017
Embraced By Higher Education
Knowing that experts have used and praised the Exercise Buddy app can give you peace of mind. Our app is backed by some of education’s leading experts with diverse backgrounds.Â
FAQs
Knowing the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
I can't log into Exercise Buddy? Please help!?
If you are trying to use EB Pro in a school or organization that has a private network, a firewall may be set up by your IT department. Please share this document with them so they can open the portal.Â
I downloaded Exercise Buddy from Apple/Google Play store but I can't sign up as a member?
Visit this link. Here you can sign-up for your free 14-day trial.
What devices is Exercise Buddy Compatible with?
Apple Compatibility
- iPad: Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later
- Mac: Requires macOS 11 or later and a Mac with an Apple M1 chip or later
 Android Compatibility
- Requires Android 5.0 and up
- Most Android Tablets
- Most Google Chromebooks*
 In addition, Exercise Buddy is compatible with some Chromebooks, but we cannot guarantee that it will work with them all.
This is because Chromebooks operate on Chrome OS. Many, but not all, Chrome OS devices support Google Play Store and Android apps. This list can be used as a reference to help determine Chromebook compatibility: https://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/dev/chromium-os/chrome-os-systems-supporting-android-apps
Do I have to be on WiFi to use Exercise Buddy?
You must be connected to WiFi to download Exercise Buddy onto your tablet and sign in to your account. Once all content is downloaded, and you are signed in, you can use most features without WiFi.
When I try to add a custom exercise (Visual and Video), why is it not working?
You must be on WiFi to upload a new exercise visual or video model.
Can EB be projected onto a wall or used on a Smartboard?
Yes, as long as you have the connections between the tablet and projector/smartboard, EB can be projected.
Why is it taking so long to download all the content on Exercise Buddy?
In your home, center, or school, make sure you are in an area where your WiFi is strongest. There are over 300 visuals, 150 videos, and 100 PDF documents, so it may take a few minutes.
How do I add additional profiles?
Sign in to your account on the website, and there you can add profiles.
Can I turn off the music?
Yes. Click on the gear icon on the top right of the screen, and there is a toggle button labeled music that you can turn on or off.
Can I turn off the audio feedback?
Yes. Click on the gear icon on the top right of the screen, and there is a toggle button labeled audio that you can turn on or off.
Where do I find my students/child's data?
On the Main Menu page, tap on the green icon labeled workouts. Once there, you will find a pink tab labeled workout history. Tap on this to select a specific date or a date range of workouts.
How many workouts can I save?
With Exercise Buddy, you can save unlimited First-Then, Start-Finish, and Circuit Workouts.
Autism is a complex developmental disorder that can cause social, communication, and behavioral challenges. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to autism treatment, exercise can be an effective intervention for some individuals. Exercise is an effective method of treatment, but methods traditionally used to teach physical fitness often leave most children wandering and wondering. The reason for this is simple; autistic people learn best when they have structure and visuals. As such, we have developed the Exercise Buddy app, a visual exercise system that has been proven to be an effective tool for teaching exercise strategies to children and adults on the autism spectrum. To learn more about this app, contact Exercise Connection today.Â
Learn More About Our Visual Exercise System at Exercise Connection Today
If you’re looking for a comprehensive exercise solution for autism, look no further than Exercise Connection. Our technology is backed by research and experts in the field, and our app makes it easy to get started with exercise at home or in the classroom. Visit us today to learn more! There are multiple benefits of exercise for autism, such as:
- Improved social skills
- Improved communication
- Increased attention and focus
- Improved motor skills
- Reduced anxiety and depression
Exercise Connection is an excellent resource for those with autism, as we offer a wide range of exercise options that can be tailored to each individual’s needs. With our app, you can get started with exercise anywhere and at any time. Contact us today to learn more.Â
