A colorful, realistic cartoon-style illustration of an inclusive gymnastics scene. A Black female coach sits cross-legged on the floor, smiling and giving a high-five to a red-haired girl with light skin, who is also sitting cross-legged on a red mat. Behind them are a blue low balance beam and a yellow mini trampoline. Above them, text reads: “You Don’t Need to Be a Therapist to Be an Inclusive Coach. Let’s take the pressure off and come back to what really matters.”

You Don’t Have to Be a Therapist—You Just Have to Be the Coach Who Shows Up; A message for gymnastics coaches

May 06, 20253 min read

Lately, it’s been a lot.
News articles. Position statements. Heated social media debates.
Government task forces talking about autism.
Medical voices weighing in on whether it’s genetic or environmental.
Language shifting back toward “cure” over “acceptance.”

If it’s overwhelming for me—a pediatric physical therapist who understands the medical, social, and neurodiversity-affirming models—it’s definitely overwhelming for gymnastics coaches.

I’ve spent the last few weeks grappling with all of it.
I’ve felt the tension in my chest. The pull between perspectives.
I’ve felt triggered, defensive, and exhausted.

And then I remembered:
Most people are trying to help.
Even if we disagree on the model or the language, many of us want the same thing—for kids to be accepted, supported, and able to thrive.


A Shift in Perspective

The medical model isn’t wrong.
Neither is the social model.
And the neurodiversity-affirming model? That’s where I live most days.

They all bring something valuable. But as a coach?
You don’t need to carry the weight of
all of them.

You don’t need to get caught up in diagnostic criteria or developmental debates.
You don’t need to solve the medical side—parents and professionals are already doing that.


What You Do Need to Know

As a coach, your superpower is in the how
How you coach.
How you create a welcoming environment.
How you respond to a child in front of you
as they are today.

And the good news?
That’s where the social model and neurodiversity-affirming practices shine.


Coaching from the Social Model

The social model reminds us that the barriers often aren’t in the child—they’re in the gym:

  • Too much noise

  • Inflexible rules

  • Overwhelming sensory input

  • Lack of visual structure

  • Rigid progressions or expectations

When you remove those barriers, kids can thrive.
You don’t have to “fix” them. You just adapt the space.


Coaching with a Neurodiversity-Affirming Lens

This model says:
Brains and bodies develop differently—and that’s not wrong.
You don’t need to make a child
more typical. You need to support who they are.

  • Follow their lead when possible

  • Offer choices

  • Scaffold emotional and sensory regulation

  • Celebrate effort and self-expression

  • Coach with curiosity, not control


You’re Not Alone in This

I know this topic can feel heavy.
Like you’ll never know enough. Like you’re afraid to mess up.
Like you’re stuck in a conversation you didn’t ask to be in.

Let me say this clearly:

You are already enough.
You already have the tools—you just might need to use them differently.

You already know how to:

  • create structure

  • teach skills

  • build relationships

  • spot progress

  • support confidence

You don’t need a therapy degree. You need your heart, your instincts, and the willingness to keep growing.


Final Thoughts

If I, as a PT who knows both the science and the soul of this work, have to remind myself to step out of the noise and come back to connection—then you absolutely have permission to do the same.

You don’t need to become an expert in autism.
You need to be an expert in creating a gym where every child feels welcome.

That’s what changes lives. That’s what makes you an All-In coach.


Want to learn more about coaching from a neurodiversity-affirming and social model lens?
Check out our free resources or take the All-In(clusive) Coach course today. We’ll help you turn care into action—without the overwhelm.

As a passionate pediatric physical therapist and inclusive & adaptive gymnastics educator, I focus on fostering neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practices in gymnastics and physical therapy. With years of experience, I believe in empowering every child to thrive through child-led approaches that celebrate individual strengths. My journey from a deficit-focused and compliance-based mindset to an inclusive coaching philosophy has transformed my relationships with athletes and their families, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Join me on this mission to build a more inclusive world for all.

Sigourney Weathers, PT, DPT

As a passionate pediatric physical therapist and inclusive & adaptive gymnastics educator, I focus on fostering neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based practices in gymnastics and physical therapy. With years of experience, I believe in empowering every child to thrive through child-led approaches that celebrate individual strengths. My journey from a deficit-focused and compliance-based mindset to an inclusive coaching philosophy has transformed my relationships with athletes and their families, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Join me on this mission to build a more inclusive world for all.

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