This section contains resources for KEEN volunteers seeking to further develop their skills in working with KEEN participants. In addition to KEEN's in-person new volunteer orientation, these training resources can equip volunteers to provide a fun and safe experience for their athletes.
Getting Your Child's Attention
One of the symptoms of a child with autism and children with other developmental delays is attentional difficulties. In order to start any activity and be successful with having the child participate with you and be motivated in an activity, you must capture your child’s attention. If you do not get the child’s attention, your message may not be received or comprehended by the child. Here are some simple strategies to help you have a fun time with your child! These strategies are directly from the reference provided.
Step 1: Identify what is in the spotlight.
Step 2: Step onto the “stage”; take your position.
Step 3: Eliminate the competition.
Step 4: Identify your child’s social comfort zone.
Step 5: Join in by following your child’s lead.
Here are brief descriptions of each step:
Step 1: Identify what is in the spotlight.
Children with autism are fascinated by objects so they might be more likely to look at the wheels on a bicycle than listen to what you are saying. Follow what the child is looking at or playing with and talk about that object with the child in simplistic language.
Step 2: Step onto the “stage”; take your position.
Children with autism typically do not give eye contact and can turn their backs on you. This is part of autism and these children need to learn social communication. Find a way to get their eye contact, such as bending over to their height, moving your head to meet their eyes, and find ways to put you in the spotlight over the object they are fascinated with. You can say “give me a high five” or “give me fist bump” as a strategy to get their eye contact too. Position yourself to be in that spotlight.
Step 3: Eliminate the competition.
This can be hard in a noisy gym or outside, so do your best at removing distractors. Parents can be distractors too!
Step 4: Identify your child’s social comfort zone.
Notice if the child steps back or turns their back on you. Know that it may take time for the child to feel comfortable with you. It can be difficult for a child with autism to even look at you.
Step 5: Join in by following your child’s lead.
If you follow your child’s focus then you may be successful at “entering their world” by paying attention to what the child is interested in. The child may even discover something new by watching his or her peers. Be open to doing something new with the child even if you know the child really likes one particular activity.
Most important, HAVE FUN!!! Children learn by observation. You are all models to these children and they can learn a lot from you even if they are unable to articulate their thoughts or feelings.
1. Read your child's profile.
- Look for helpful hints, like calming techniques, motivating techniques, or behavior management techniques.
- Read about what the child's parents hope the Kids will gain from KEEN.
2. Talk to the child’s parent when he/she is being dropped off.
- Ask whether there is anything new you should know (e.g., is child particularly tired, did he/she learn new skills at school, etc.).
- Clarify any questions you have about the profile.
3. Communicate clearly.
- Tell him/her at the outset of the session exactly what activities you will be doing.
- When giving any instructions, keep your directions short and simple. Avoid complex directions. Break down tasks/activities into distinct pieces, if needed.
- Make eye contact when giving directions.
4. Be firm.
- Don’t be afraid to speak firmly if he/she is not trying to participate in something that he/she typically likes to do or is able to do. Some children pretend to sleep when they don’t want to participate!
- If, after your attempts to be firm, the child still refuses to cooperate, please inform the KEEN Program Coordinator. He/she can be the “bad cop.”
5. Recognize and celebrate progress.
- The way we “measure” progress in a KEEN session is very different than how progress might be measured in other settings. For example, it might be a great achievement for a child just to make it all the way through the session. Or it may be an amazing accomplishment to follow a simple set of directions.
- Each step is significant. Putting all those steps together can add up to a major accomplishment.
- Record progress on profile at the end of the session.
- Celebrate with “high-fives” and by sharing important moments during “Prouds.”
6. Share ideas with future volunteers.
- Record helpful hints on the child’s profile, particularly if something worked well.
- Make note of activities he/she particularly enjoyed or disliked.
7. Ask for help if needed.
- The KEEN Program Coordinator is typically roving to check on volunteers and KEEN Kids. Feel free to stop them and ask for help.
8. Have fun!
KEEN has developed procedures for handling emergencies. They are intended to prepare volunteers for any unlikely but possible situation. At each KEEN session, the Program Coordiantor will have Emergency Contact Information for each athlete.
These procedures cover injury, seizure and lost child situations.
Remember, before each session, volunteers should:
- Read and re-read their child's Profile.
- Make mental note of any medical concerns or cautionary information on the Profile. The Profile will note the possibility of injury or seizure.
- Ask the KEEN Program Coordinator and/or the child's parents to answer any questions.
In the event of an emergency, stay calm.
Cuts, Scrapes and Bruises
- KEEN has first aid kits available at the program site to take care of these common accidents. Please inform a member of session monitors.
- For more serious injuries, parents and the Rescue Squad, if needed, will be called.
Seizures
Seizures are a common side effect of some of our kid’s disabilities. It will say in the profile if a child is prone to seizures. Following these procedures will help manage the situation and help the affected athlete:
- Volunteer should note the time as precisely as possible. Length of the seizure denotes its severity.
- Send someone to find help from KEEN Coordinator.
- Make sure the child is comfortable, but let the seizure run its course.
- Don’t put your hands near the mouth of someone who is seizing.
- Be prepared to notify parents using emergency contact information and/or call 911.
Lost Athlete
Some KEEN Kids like to run and play games or hide. It is important that volunteerss stay with their child at all times, but if they should lose track of they should notify the Program Coordinator immediately who will put together a search party. Volunteers working with a “runner” should take special care, some kids like to run but have no sense of danger.
Any Uncomfortable or Uncontrollable Situations
- If a volunteer for any reason feels uncomfortable in a situation with a child they should find and inform the Prgoram Coordinator.
- If a volunteers feels a child is acting in an inappropriate way and he/she cannot control the situation, again, find and inform the Program Coordinator.
Congratulations on becoming a volunteer coach. Our KEEN athletes are very lucky to have you and, we believe, you will quickly see how wonderful an experience KEEN will be for you too. THE BEST DAYS ARE KEEN DAYS!
Background on KEEN
- KEEN is completely volunteer-run organization with only one full time staff member
- KEEN’s programs are one-to-one, non-competitive recreational activities, and are often the only programs our athletes are able to access
- KEEN’s programs are completely free of charge to athlete’s families
- We end all sessions with “Prouds” where we go around and each athlete tells us something they are proud of from their time spent at KEEN. Athlete may need your help verbalizing
What to Expect
- Sign-in with Program Coordinator when arrive and get your nametag./li>
- Wait in designated area for your athlete assignment/profile sheet.
- The profile sheet will be specific to your athlete. It will tell you their name, diagnosis, helpful hints on playing, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Read this carefully to better understand what makes your athlete tick.
- Look for helpful hints, like calming techniques, motivating techniques, or behavior management techniques.
- Read about what the athlete’s parents hope the athlete will gain from KEEN.
- After you read the profile, ask staff who your child is. Go to family and introduce yourself to child and parent
- Black Bullet
- Ask parent whether there is anything new you should know (e.g., is athlete particularly tired, did athlete learn new skills at school, etc.)
- Clarify any questions you have about what you learned from their profile sheet
- Play/Have Fun!
- Never leave your athlete alone – always be within an arms reach
- Follow your athlete's lead
- 5 minutes left gather in circle for “Prouds” and the Hokey Pokey
- Take athlete back to parent
- Come back for second session/profile sheet (if staying for multiple sessions)
Tips for Success
- Communicate Clearly
- When giving any instructions, keep your directions short and simple. Avoid complex directions. Break down tasks/activities into distinct pieces, if needed
- Make eye contact with your athlete when giving directions.
- Be Respectful
- Do not say negative things about the athlete in front of them
- Do not talk to them like they don't understand
- Athletes simply learn differently than you, there are ways to communicate – read the profile sheet for tips
- Leave your phone in the bin or in your pocket. This time is dedicated to the athletes
- Be Firm
- Don’t be afraid to speak firmly to an athlete if he/she is not trying to participate in something that he/she typically likes to do or is able to do. Some athletes pretend to “sleep” when they don’t want to participate
- o If, after your attempts to be firm, the athlete still refuses to cooperate, please inform the KEEN Coordinator. He/she can be the “bad cop”
- Recognize and celebrate progress
- The way we “measure” progress in a KEEN session is very different than how progress might be measured in other settings. For example, it might be a great achievement for an athlete just to make it all the way through the session. Or it may be an amazing accomplishment to follow a simple set of directions
- Each step is significant. Putting all those steps together can add up to a major accomplishment
- Record progress on profile at the end of the session
- Celebrate with “high-fives” and by sharing important moments during “Prouds”
- Share ideas with future coaches
- Record helpful hints on the athlete’s profile, particularly if something worked well
- You can also email Kelly at kstenkamp@keenstlouis.org with additions to the profile sheet
- Ask for help if needed
- The KEEN Program Coordinator is typically on the floor to check on coaches and athletes. Feel free to stop them and ask for help
Common Courtesies KEEN is developed as a one-to-one program. If you don’t show up (or let us know) your athlete may not have a coach for that session
- If you need to cancel your attendance Saturday or earlier, please email ksteinkamp@keenstlouis.org
- If you cannot make it the day of the session, please text/call Kelly at 314-399-0289
- Be one time
- You need time to read your athlete’s profile before the athletes show up
- Please be patient and flexible
- Sometimes athletes don’t show up, are having a bad day, etc.
- Inevitably there will be last minute changes to assignments
- Always feel free to reach out to a KEEN staff member for help
Thank you and have fun! WE ARE PROUD OF OUR ABILITY
