The Program

12-Week HealthMatters Program for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

12-Week HealthMatters Program for people with intellectual and developmental disability includes exercise, nutrition, and health education components. Caregivers who have attended HealthMatters Program: Train-the-Trainer Certified Instructor Workshop lead the program. Recommended to be run 3x per week; 60-90 minutes per session; 4-6h per week total.

Goals

  • 1. Increase knowledge about healthy lifestyles

  • 2. Improve fitness

  • 3. Teach core concepts related to physical activity and nutrition

Participants

People with intellectual and developmental disability. 

The 12-week HealthMatters Program was tested with adults with IDD. Even though it was not formally tested with school-aged children, it has been used in schools. We recommend that the program can be taught from Middle School and up.

The program can be completed at the community activity center, home, school, or work. The recommended class size is 6-10 participants. We recommend having at least two Instructors for the classes.

Activities

  • 12-weeks long and meets 3 times per week (4-6 hours total per week)

  • Exercise component (60 minutes, 3 times per week)

  • Health education component (30-60 minutes, 3 times per week)

  • Program evaluation (optional, before and after the program)