WEST GROVE, PA — Students at the Child and Career Development Center’s Engle campus participated in an adaptive wellness program that combined physical fitness and nutrition education, expanding access to health instruction for students with varying developmental, sensory and physical needs.
The school’s recent Fun Friday Wellness Day brought together instructors from EmpowerU Specialty Fitness and West Chester University’s nutrition program to deliver activities tailored to individual student abilities.
The initiative focused on making conventional health and fitness education accessible through modified exercises, sensory accommodations and alternative food presentations.
EmpowerU Specialty Fitness converted the school’s gymnasium into an obstacle course designed to develop balance, coordination, strength and endurance.
Activities were adjusted to accommodate students requiring different levels of physical assistance or sensory support.
Joseph DelViscio, a coach with EmpowerU Specialty Fitness, said the program emphasized participation rather than standardized performance measures.
“When we think about exercise for the younger population, it’s about taking out any of our outcome expectations; we’re really looking at it from a scope of activity-based and play-based fitness,” DelViscio said. “Fun is the most important part.”
The organization also incorporated approaches intended to help students regulate sensory responses and develop functional movement skills.
DelViscio said some students benefit from reduced sensory stimulation, while others require assistance with flexibility, range of motion and stability.
EmpowerU’s approach includes caregiver training intended to help students continue appropriate physical activities beyond structured exercise sessions.
Nutrition instruction was provided by West Chester University students and Associate Professor of Nutrition Christina Riccardo.
The university group used storytelling, discussions and food tastings to introduce healthy eating practices and the MyPlate nutrition model.
Food presentations were adapted to accommodate different dietary and sensory needs. Students were offered whole fruits and vegetables, while smoothies provided an alternative for those requiring smoother textures.
Shannon Brown, principal of CCDC Engle, said the collaboration was designed to give students access to wellness activities comparable to those available in other educational settings.
“Wellness days like this give our students access to the same things as their typical peers: eating healthy and keeping your body moving in any way that you can,” Brown said.
She credited the participating organizations with adjusting their instruction to accommodate individual learning and developmental requirements.
“EmpowerU provided adaptive exercises as well as more traditional exercises, so all of our students were included,” Brown said.
The program reflects CCDC Engle’s use of outside educational and fitness specialists to supplement student instruction with practical health and wellness activities.
By combining adaptive movement exercises with accessible nutrition education, the school provided students opportunities to practice skills associated with physical activity, food choices and independent daily living.
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