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AIMING BEYOND LIMITS CROSSFIT

Beginners to elite

All abilities, disabilities

welcome!

Presented by:

Karen Hurley MSPT, CFL2, AIT

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Meet Karen Hurley

    • Over 20 years of experience as a physical therapist, with 8 years as a District Physical Therapist at Norwood Public Schools

    • CrossFit Level 1 & 2 coach specializing in inclusive and adaptive training
    • Brand X Method Professional Youth Coach Certified

    • Proud mom of three – ages 21, 19, and 17

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Our Mission

- Inclusive Wellness: ABL’s program supports athletes of all abilities, designed to accommodate diverse cognitive, communication, and learning styles.

- Expert-Driven Design: Created with input from Physical Therapists, Special Education teachers, Psychologists, Behavior Analysts, and Youth Coaching specialists.

- Building Resilience: Functional movements enhance strength, grit, and resilience, helping prevent chronic illness, obesity, and mental health issues.

- Community Impact: ABL fosters wellness and belonging, promoting lifelong health and resilience.

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Core Values:

- Accept: Embrace each athlete’s unique strengths and needs.

- Include: Create a welcoming space where everyone belongs.

- Move: Inspire growth and resilience through movement.

- Community: Foster connections and mutual support.

- Joy: Celebrate achievements and create positive experiences.

Accept + Include + Move = Community + Joy

Core Values

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CrossFit

- CrossFit workouts are constantly varied to keep them engaging and challenging.

- Uses functional, full-body movements to build strength and endurance.

- Relatively high intensity for effective, efficient workouts.

- Scales and adapts each workout to meet the needs of every athlete.

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ABL CrossFit incorporates diverse teaching styles to support every athlete’s success:

    • Visuals
    • Gestural Cues
    • Tactile Guidance
    • Verbal Cues
    • Offers adaptable environments:
    • Closed environments for focused, controlled settings
    • Open environments for more dynamic engagement
    • Individual sessions to larger classes for personalized or community-based experiences

Universal Design of Fitness

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Least Restrictive Fitness Environment: ABL provides tailored training from quiet 1:1 sessions to energetic group classes.

The IEP of Fitness: ABL creates personalized, adaptive fitness plans, similar to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in CrossFit.

Inclusion looks different for everyone

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Programs Include:

What ABL Offers

      • Inclusive CrossFit:. Mirrored after Unified Sports from Special Olympics

      • Adaptive CrossFit sessions

      • Inclusive Powerlifting:

      • Kids Classes:

      • Individual and Small Group Sessions: Customized physical therapy and fitness sessions are available upon request.

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AIM Social Story

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The Problem

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The Problem

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Understanding Neurodiversity in Fitness

      • Sensory Sensitivities: Tailored support for managing sensory responses.

      • Motor Coordination: Activities to improve coordination and movement skills.

      • Balance Challenges: Exercises focused on stability and balance.

      • Social and Behavioral Needs: Strategies for enhancing social interactions and behavior.

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Functional Movements

    • Holistic approach to wellness

    • Focus on functional exercises (squats, lifts, pushes)

    • Builds strength, flexibility, and coordination for daily activities

    • Promotes independence through movement

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Emotional and Social Wellness

    • Prioritizes emotional and social well-being

    • Builds confidence and independence

    • Enhances social skills for community engagement

    • Fosters an inclusive, supportive environment

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Long-Term Health Benefits

    • Aims to prevent chronic conditions (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases)

    • Promotes physical and emotional wellness for lasting health

    • Focuses on improved health outcomes in an inclusive setting

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Health Statistics & Challenges

Obesity Risk

    • 41% of children with autism face a higher obesity risk.
    • Causes include reduced physical activity and unique dietary needs.

Chronic Health Issues

    • Athletes with neurodiversity often encounter anxiety, sleep, and GI issues.
    • These challenges can hinder regular fitness participation.

ABL’s adaptive fitness programs address these challenges head-on, offering athletes with neurodiversity a path to healthier, more active lifestyles and reducing the likelihood of developing these chronic conditions.

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Functional Fitness Increases Independence and Quality of Life

    • Enhancing our athletes’ ability to perform daily tasks independently.
    • Improving strength
    • Increased motor control and body awareness
    • Increased level of independence
    • Improved quality of life physically and emotionally

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Training Environments

      • Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Flexible training options, from one-on-one to group classes, support each athlete’s needs.

      • Sensory-Friendly Options: Calm, adaptive settings ensure comfort and focus.

      • Individualized Support: Personalized plans help athletes progress at their own pace.

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Community Through Peer Support

- Peer Support: Athletes learn and grow together in a supportive community.

- Social Skill Development: Activities foster essential social skills and confidence.

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Monthly Themes

Themes:

      • Grit: Learning to stay strong through tough times.
      • Perseverance: Building a “keep going” attitude.
      • Teamwork: Working well with others.
      • Kindness: Showing empathy and respect.
      • Character: Growing integrity and responsibility.
      • Social Stories: Using stories and talks to build social skills.
      • Easy Homework: Simple tasks to support learning at home.

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ABL’s Fall Schedule

Here’s our current Fall Schedule, designed to provide flexible options for individuals of all ages and abilities.

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Success Stories and Impact

Karen’s programs have greatly improved both daughters' physical and academic progress.....Parents of Mary & Bea

My son loves the inclusive CrossFit class, which boosts his confidence and social skills....Becky

Karen’s classes are fun and educational, helping the son develop healthy habits and valuable skills.....Rebecca C.

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      • Volunteer as a Peer Athlete: Peer athletes are vital to our community, helping athletes with neurodiversity feel included and motivated.

      • Spread Awareness: Help us reach more people by sharing information about ABL CrossFit in your networks.

      • Support Our Programs: Donations or participation in events help expand ABL’s offerings and allow more athletes to benefit.

How to Get Involved

aimtherapy.karen@gmail.com

www.adaptiveaimtherapy.com

[781-254-1181

For more information, volunteering, or donations:

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Thank You & Q&A

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Stay connected with ABL CrossFit to learn more about our programs and upcoming events.

781-254-1181

https://adaptiveaimtherapy.com/

Karen@AdaptiveAimTherapy.com

Aim Therapy

Aim_Therapy

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Contact Information

A.I.M. Therapy

CrossFit One Nation

10 Charles Street

Needham, MA 02492