Preparing skiers with autism for a snow trip

nez

nez

Member
Hey Newschoolers,

Im on a university placement with a disability awareness company in Australia for the next few weeks and one of my projects is around creating a handout for participants / families with sensory processing issues (think autism and people that struggle to process to much going on) and how they can best prepare for the snow. Just wondering if anyone on here has much experience skiing with someone who may have this and how you prepare for a snow trip?

I think main points around ensuring they're comfortable wearing all the gear beforehand, pictures of what the snow / lifts look like, and a schedule of what happens throughout the day will be really helpful.

Any input / experience is helpful.

Cheers
 
topic:nez said:
Hey Newschoolers,

Im on a university placement with a disability awareness company in Australia for the next few weeks and one of my projects is around creating a handout for participants / families with sensory processing issues (think autism and people that struggle to process to much going on) and how they can best prepare for the snow. Just wondering if anyone on here has much experience skiing with someone who may have this and how you prepare for a snow trip?

I think main points around ensuring they're comfortable wearing all the gear beforehand, pictures of what the snow / lifts look like, and a schedule of what happens throughout the day will be really helpful.

Any input / experience is helpful.

Cheers
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this sounds super sick. forsure get them strapped in to skis on flat ground before moving on to slopes. i remember the feeling of being on skis for the first time was super wack and doing it on flat ground at first helped my balance.
 
Im not sure the what the scene is at the ski resort is but find out (ahead of time) if the day you are going if there will be loud events, heavy crowds, or large abnormal music/lights playing. Have those be known about to the group and when/where so they can be avoided.

Call ahead to the resort and get a good layout of the area, even maybe make a good map yourself to give out so people can find maybe quieter, less busy areas if they need to get to them.

Or if the resort has rental able rooms or pavilions consider renting one out for your group. Maybe the resort are willing to reserve some picnic tables for your group and can fence it off to keep bros and jerrys out.

Obviously every autistic person is different and responds differently to a situation.

Generally its very hard for autistic folks to break from their regular schedules, especially if this is a first time for the participates in a new area or trying a new sport. Being patient and taking it slow for the first time on the slopes will be key.
 
I work with young kids on the spectrum so they are still developmentally raw but I can see how this is going to be a challenge! Do you have a way for them to hold snow before you go? The students I currently have are very sensitive to water. Their behavior techs will actually bring droppers with water (don’t know what you call them over there) and kind of sprinkle water droplets on their clothes to acclimate them to the feeling in extremely small amounts. Could help to prime them with some “snow” they can touch…?

The routines are important so letting them know exactly what to expect sand exploring any and all scenarios with them before the trip could be really helpful. I’m sure you know everyone on the spectrum is different so it’ll be a challenge but I’m stoked to see how it goes!
 
I would say definitely go mid-week or a day when the crowds won't be so crazy and overwhelming, also maybe try and visit the ski resort ahead of time with no intention of skiing just to get used to the environment.
 
14301307:CatdickBojangles said:
Too bad [tag=261198]@DolansLebensraum[/tag] is still banned he could tell us how his mom gets him ready to ski everyday.
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Sorry man I retired like 3 days ago
 
I don't know a ton about autism but based off what I know I think the biggest thing (as people have said before) is obviously to avoid them being overwhelmed or uncomfortable.

For anybody getting into skiing, being cold or having boot pain can ruin the experience. The idea of conditioning them to the gear beforehand in a familiar setting sounds great, and if you're able to do that you could help minimize the chance that they have a bad time on mountain.

Otherwise I'd say try to go when it's not crowded, or to a part of the mountain that has fewer people if you can. Ideally wherever you are skiing would have an easily accessible base lodge to return to if something goes wrong.

Finally, make SURE that all people involved are extremely identifiable (both kids and instructors).You could do this by getting hi-vis construction vests to wear over people's outerwear like a lot of ski schools do with young skiers. I imagine that someone getting lost would be extremely stressful for everybody and something you need to go out of your way to avoid.
 
Thanks guys, its cool to see NS getting on board with this stuff a little bit!

14301330:DesertStix said:
Do you have a way for them to hold snow before you go?
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This is something ill be recommending to families, ive spoken to some experienced participants and they said if families have the opportunity to go for a day trip it is a great way to acclimatise them before actually going skiing. But it can be hard here in Aus, with people travelling like 5-6 hours just to get to a mountain.

Ive already made a resource on sensory processing, and specifically how people with sensory processing issues are affected at the snow. This is to help train the guides that will be skiing with participants. Im currently working on two more, one the guides can carry with them (im thinking like little waterproof cards) that have tips and things to remember if skiing with someone with sensory processing issues. The other is to send to families before their snow trip that they can print out and stick on the fridge that details what to expect at the snow and what a tyipcal day looks like, because i know structure and planning is pretty important!
 
get them strapped in to skis on flat ground before moving on to slopes. [/quote]

Yeah i feel like there are so many little things like this that we dont really recognise as being challenging because its almost second nature to a lot of people who spend a ot of time at the snow!
 
Or if the resort has rental able rooms or pavilions consider renting one out for your group. Maybe the resort are willing to reserve some picnic tables for your group and can fence it off to keep bros and jerrys out.

Obviously every autistic person is different and responds differently to a situation.

Generally its very hard for autistic folks to break from their regular schedules, especially if this is a first time for the participates in a new area or trying a new sport. Being patient and taking it slow for the first time on the slopes will be key.[/quote]

Yeah sick advice, the company im with has a really good relationship with the mountain and they have an area roped off just for us each day, but its a bit hard with covid to stop people from walking through because theres not too much room down the bottom. And this is something ill be recommending and explaining to the guides that everyone is different and its super important to get to know your participant before you go skiing for the day (we stay at same accommodation overnight and for brekky).
 
I've taught a few kids with learning disabilities and one thing that always helps is being super prepared. Make sure the first time they try on their equipment isn't on the hill, and like others have said, be aware of crowds and overwhelming places. Taking lots of breaks is huge because skiing is uncomfortable and super tiring if you are learning.
 
Maybe have them watch some ski films or movies to get them stoked? Seems like it might help somebody visualize what a mountain looks like and what goes down idk tho
 
Super impressed you are doing such a thing. I dont have any more advice to add to what has already been listed, but just know this is pretty amazing what you are doing.
 
Oh how I wish he was unbanned, I can only imagine his input and responses to this thread ?

14301307:CatdickBojangles said:
Too bad [tag=261198]@DolansLebensraum[/tag] is still banned he could tell us how his mom gets him ready to ski everyday.
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14301373:weastcoast said:
How sweet of you to take skierman for a day out on the snow!!
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NOT ? FUCKING ? COOL ?

I guess NS mods are fine with assholes making fun of people with disabilities. As a "r-word" myself, skiing with poles is hard so don't have them use poles. Their "r-word" minds can't handle the complexity.
 
Ginger starts with G not R

or S if you wanna be politically correct and precede ginger with soulless , which ya technically makes you a “R”

and no, our mods don’t care! Not unless they think your spamming a ski, that… they care about , triggers something in their “r” brains for some reason

14301529:skierman said:
NOT ? FUCKING ? COOL ?

I guess NS mods are fine with assholes making fun of people with disabilities. As a "r-word" myself, skiing with poles is hard so don't have them use poles. Their "r-word" minds can't handle the complexity.
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14301559:SavageBiff said:
Ginger starts with G not R

or S if you wanna be politically correct and precede ginger with soulless , which ya technically makes you a “R”

and no, our mods don’t care! Not unless they think your spamming a ski, that… they care about , triggers something in their “r” brains for some reason
Click to expand...

NS banned me for two weeks for typing out the "r-word". Apparently they allow people to use mental illness to insult others as long as you don't use the "r-word". NS mods are nothing more than power tripping hypocrites who push PC terms while at the same time they promote and idolize former NS staff that happen to be pedophiles.

NS is nothing more than a cheap imitation of the Catholic church. They punish those who suffer from mental illness in order to hide the fact that they promote scumbags who fuck underage girls in Sweden during industry events. What a bunch of Schmucks.
 
14301569:skierman said:
NS banned me for two weeks for typing out the "r-word". Apparently they allow people to use mental illness to insult others as long as you don't use the "r-word". NS mods are nothing more than power tripping hypocrites who push PC terms while at the same time they promote and idolize former NS staff that happen to be pedophiles.

NS is nothing more than a cheap imitation of the Catholic church. They punish those who suffer from mental illness in order to hide the fact that they promote scumbags who fuck underage girls in Sweden during industry events. What a bunch of Schmucks.
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How does this help OP at all.

OP: make sure you have a backup plan for when a student is totally over with skiing. I volunteered with Eagle Mount and we always had an “escape” if it became too much for a skier. A space that isn’t too overwhelming or where they can be with a more experienced team member.
 
You get picked on a lot growing up huh?

14301569:skierman said:
NS banned me for two weeks for typing out the "r-word". Apparently they allow people to use mental illness to insult others as long as you don't use the "r-word". NS mods are nothing more than power tripping hypocrites who push PC terms while at the same time they promote and idolize former NS staff that happen to be pedophiles.

NS is nothing more than a cheap imitation of the Catholic church. They punish those who suffer from mental illness in order to hide the fact that they promote scumbags who fuck underage girls in Sweden during industry events. What a bunch of Schmucks.
Click to expand...
 
There was a kid i knew that went skiing with autism and that kid loved it till no end. His is high functioning tho and he doesn’t have any real sensory issues
 
14301569:skierman said:
NS banned me for two weeks for typing out the "r-word". Apparently they allow people to use mental illness to insult others as long as you don't use the "r-word". NS mods are nothing more than power tripping hypocrites who push PC terms while at the same time they promote and idolize former NS staff that happen to be pedophiles.

NS is nothing more than a cheap imitation of the Catholic church. They punish those who suffer from mental illness in order to hide the fact that they promote scumbags who fuck underage girls in Sweden during industry events. What a bunch of Schmucks.
Click to expand...

1006230.jpeg
 
Thanks guys, it’s a massive help and so much good info. I’ll see how the camps go and might do a post of what worked and if I get permission share the resources I’m making!
 
A meeting spot where they can find water and heat packs for hands and feet may be a good idea

basic reminders on what to bring may be nice as well (eg, an extra pair of socks)

it could even help to list some games participants can play in the lift line or wherever they need to be distracted from too much commotion, like Simon says or eye spy.
 
I could see the boots being a trigger.

Maybe the gloves, helmet, goggles, and outerwear depending on where they are on the spectrum.

Introducing the boots and other gear in a familiar setting like their classroom would probably help acclimate them.

If the boots become a trigger, cushy rear-entry boots would be easy to get on, more comfortable, and less claustrophobic.
 
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