Personal training individuals with developmental disabilities

Hello Laura,

I hold the ACSM-CIFT credential. One of the resources that the ACSM recommends that you purchase to prepare for the exam is "Adapted Physical Education and Sport." It's a wonderful resource. It is publised by Human Kinetics and edited by Joseph P. Winnick.

Another resource you will find handy is www.ncpad.org


Hope this is of help to you. Best!

Haven't seen this one yet!! THANK YOU!! Checking it out now

Great suggestion, Michael, I didn't know that certification existed either!

Laura, another certification that might be worth looking into (if you haven't already) is the NSCA-Certified Special Population Specialist. Here's a link for more info:
- http://www.nsca.com/Certification/CSPS/

Know, however, that one of its prerequisites is that "candidates must hold a current CSCS or NSCA-CPT certification." Is that a deal breaker for you?

Out of curiosity, what type of developmentally disabled people do you hope to work with?

Best of luck to you!

Hello Laura Fine,

Thank you for this question and thank you to Michael Saiz.
Good luck to you and enjoy helping those in need.
Take care.

Afternoon Laura,

The ISSA also offers an Exercise Therapy cert (formerly Adaptive Fitness). Similiar to the others I'm sure in that you have to demonstrate an understanding of precautions, risk factors etc... when working with a specific population.

If you are not already, have you looked into finding a trainer in your area with this specialty? I would check into shadowing and viewing the practical application for yourself.

I myself have a background in Rehab and have worked with and learned from therapists/trainers working with people with strokes, amputations, and spinal cord injuries to name a few.

Finding a cert to establish you as an adaptive fitness trainer is a great step, but I would really recommend finding someone to mentor with.

Good Luck!