Nathaniel Gautier

Psychology Student
James Madison University 2021
South County High School 2017

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@emily_shah28 I ended up designing and presenting several lectures focusing on developing motivation and overcoming personal barriers to exercise for the clients participating in the program once every week to help facilitate motivation and participation 4/4.

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

While working at The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, my contribution project, Facilitating Fitness For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, integrated a Fitbit application feature to assist adults with ID in motivation to maintain an active lifestyle.
#JMUPsychSymposium2021

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@emily_shah28 Due to the nature of my internship being entirely online through Zoom Meeting technology, it was not feasible to address specific participants in the program alone, nor did it seem appropriate. I decided to address, instead, all participants about personal motivation. 3/4

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@emily_shah28 Exercise, however, can greatly decrease these risks. Additionally, exercise has been effective in increasing muscle strength, balance, and quality of life, while also combatting the effects of depression and anxiety in individuals with ID. (Bartlo & Klein, 2011). 2/4

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@emily_shah28 Hi Emily, thanks for commenting! It is not uncommon for individuals with ID to lead more sedentary lifestyle due to the many perceived barriers to physical exercise. Such a lifestyle may often result in increased risk of various preventable diseases and afflictions 1/4

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@swampfoxshep Many of the clients I worked with admit to struggling with motivation to engage in physical activity, and the most meaningful aspect of it to me was that it provides for them a temporary form of motivation that doesn't draw their attention away from the activity itself.

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@Applekj3 Actually not yet, no. The project is an ongoing one and we are still collecting data from our clients for this current month.

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@Applekj3 Additionally, we would be able to safely and discretely record and share client data without divulging personal information that would be necessary in a google form.

[Nathaniel Gautier @NathanielGauti2]

@Applekj3 The biggest challenge was figuring out how to go about compiling the data from the Fitbits. One staff member suggested sharing a google form with the clients, but I decided that we would use paper forms as our clients had limited technical ability.