CHCS Perspectives Winter 2014

PERSPECTIVES • WINTER 2014 – Page 49 Class of 2014 Doctor of Physical Therapy students at NSU’s main campus volunteered their time to train a young lady named Christine who was diagnosed with autism for the Spe- cial Olympics, held in South Florida in March 2013. Tara Sal- isbury, Kim Raila, Kristen Voirin, Kallie Atti, Leslie Baldwin, and Stella Meyers worked with Christine under the supervision of Dr. Melissa Tovin. In addition to providing a well-rounded exercise training pro- gram designed to improve Christine’s physical fitness and per- formance, the students provided guidance, motivation, and companionship. The students, in turn, learned about working with individuals with special needs and experienced firsthand some of the challenges they will face as therapists when working with individuals with autism. As the rate of autism in the United States and worldwide is growing at an alarming rate, it is impor- tant for health professional students to understand the skills needed to provide appropriate services. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, the incidence is cur- rently 1 in 88 children. Dr. Tovin and the students attended the event to assist Chris- tine in warm-up activities and later formed their own cheering section to help Christine across the finish line. Christine achieved her goal of winning a first-place medal in her age group for the 400-meter run. She proudly wore her medal for many days after the event, and the activity has resulted in lasting memories for both the students and this young athlete. A new group of students (Lindsey Dodds, Ashley Jones, Kelly Knoth, Kelly Sweeney, and Ali Soven) is now working with Christine, who has her sights set on winning more events at the 2014 competition and hopes to qualify to compete at the state level. Dr. Tovin is currently exploring funding opportunities to grow this activity into a larger program, serving more young ath- letes with autism in the local community while educating stu- dents through real-life experience. Physical Therapy and the Special Olympics: A Special Experience By Melissa Tovin, Ph.D., PT, Assistant Professor Dr. Tovin and PT students Kallie, Kelly, Kim, and Tara with Christine after the award ceremony at Special Olympics.