Coaching Special Hockey

Author: Jon SchwartzAmerican Special Hockey Association

Developmental Disabilities

• Affects 4.5 million Americans (1.65% of U.S. population)

• Severe, life-long ailments attributable to mental and/or physical impairments, manifested before age 22

• Substantial limitations in 3 or more these areas of major life core competencies: – Capacity for independent living – Economic self-sufficiency – Learning– Mobility– Receptive & expressive language– Self-care/direction

What Are DD’s?

The most common:• Autism Spectrum Disorders• Down Syndrome• Neurological Disorders

– (i.e. Tourette’s Syndrome)• Cerebral Palsy• ADD/ADHD

Autism: Definition

• Autism is a complex developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life, although it is sometimes diagnosed much later. It affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills. Common features of autism include impaired social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing information from the senses, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The symptoms may vary from moderate to severe. Two related, milder conditions are Asperger syndrome and "pervasive development disorder not otherwise specified" (PDD-NOS).

Facts

• 1 in 88 U.S. children are Autistic* • 1 in 94 in New Jersey!!!!*• Affects boys 3-4 times more often*• More than 80% are under 21^• The number of those aged 6-21

receiving services for Autism

increased from 22,664 to 193,637 (1994-2005)*• Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability~

*2010 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Study

^Autism Speaks

~Autism Society of America

American Special Hockey Association (ASHA)

We believe hockey is the ultimate occupational therapy for developmental disabilities

The Power of Team Sports

Higher incidence of obesity & depression among disabled

– 1.4 disabled people living in NJ alone

Team sports = physical fitness &socialization

Hockey emphasizes the development of desirable individual characteristics such as:

Dependability Self-reliance Ability to concentrate Willingness to share Personal accountability

Gonzaga University in the midst of a 5-year study on the affects of hockey on autistic children

Coaching Autistic Players

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What’s So Special?

Neuro-Typical vs. Special Hockey

**3 Major Differences**

• Age (5-Adult)

• Degree of disability

• Skill level/physical limitations

How Do We Do It?

We make

it work.

Our own

way…

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Games

• No off-sides or icing• Penalties enforced (penalty shot TBD)• 1-2 “floaters” allowed on ice/team• 2-minute shifts• Opposing coaches work together

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Adaptive Skill Practices

• What coaches are doing around ASHA

Commonalities:

÷ ice▼ player/coach ratio

Skill stationsGame situations

Free timeFun

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Communication & Instruction

• Use clear, simple language & speak slowly– Ask parent if there are key phrases

• Demonstrate whenever possible (coaches)• Repetition is key (routine is soothing)• Visual aids can make huge impact (spray

paint)• Be aware of each child’s learning preference

– Tone of voice or noise in the environment– Physical proximity

*NJ COSAC

Comprehension

THEY MAY: Appear not to listen

Confuse direction

Fail to follow instructions

YOU COULD: Touch on shoulder, make eye

contact; understand?

“Go to top of circle” vs. “Come & stand right here”

Have them repeat

*Laurie Kennedy “Special Hockey Coaching Guide”

Humor, Sarcasm & Figurative Speech

• Literal interpretation– “Lend me a hand.”– “Let’s hit the ice.”– “What’s up?”– “Stick down.”– “Eyes Up.”– “That blue line’s high today”

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Rules & Expectations

• Expect what you expect from children WITHOUT disabilities

• If players break the rules, issue a penalty like everybody else

• Game rules & sportsmanship can be learned if coaches provide consistent messages – Recognize good performance – When do you need to have modified

expectations?Northlight Photography

Safety

• Hidden dangers of the locker room, practice/game environment (helmet rule)

• Starts with listening to parents

• Time of day can be a factor (medication)

• Physical environment can present unexpected hazards

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Measuring Success

What does success look like?

Neuro-Typical Hockey vs. Special Hockey

?

Are You Successful?

Have you changed behavior in a positive way?

NON-VERBAL:• Pursuing the puck• Grasp of game concept

HIGH FUNCTIONING:• Mastering puck

handling• Grasp of team concept

LIFE:• Mainstream

school/team• Social maturity• Employment

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Being A Youth Hockey Mentor

Why bother?Youth Hockey Player: Challenging/rewarding; college prep; career choice planning

Youth Hockey Organization: Builds character; community relations; sets an example (i.e. parents, other hockey orgs, Atlantic District)

Whirlwind tour’s

mission is more ice

time for N.J. Disabled

HITTING 54 RINKS IN 54 HOURS, FOR ONE GREAT HOCKEY CAUSE

For Disabled, Ice Time Can Be Best of Times

Ice Time For All

HOCKEY: great therapy for disabled, coach says

Athletes Seek

Better Access at Ice Rinks for People with

Disabilities

DDD TODAY

Record

Courier-News

Asbury Park

PRESS

Growth

Baltimore Saints, MDGateway Locomotives

MORC Stars, MIFAR Flyers, MI

Montgomery Cheetahs, MDWashington Ice Dogs, MD

NOVA Cool Cats, VAAston, PA

Carolina CAT 5 Canes, NCBucks County, PALong Island, NY

New York, NYWestchester, NYPittsburgh, PA

Questions?

To Learn More

Jon SchwartzEVP, American Special Hockey Association

Coaching Director, New Jersey Dare Devils

201.312.8390

jonschwartz3p@yahoo.com

www.americanspecialhockey.org