Laura is a passionate fitness professional committed to deliver high quality individualized exercise programs that are proven to move people and help her clients adopt sustainable, healthy behaviors and a more active way of life. Laura has a wide range of specialties and helps people her clients thrive. She specializes in exercise training mature, mid-life and older adults optimizing fitness and physical performance, functional fitness, and prevention of chronic medical conditions.
Laura received advanced training through ACSM/EXERCISE CONNECTION as an Autism Exercise Specialists and is passionate about helping her young clients and older adults clients with autism spectrum disorders reach their full potential.
As a run coach, personal trainer, senior fitness specialist, orthopedic exercise specialist and autism exercise specialist she helps youth with autism thrive. Laura is accepting new clients for in-home training in Beaverton, Lake Oswego, and surrounding areas (children, teens, adults, and older adults with autism and other chronic conditions).
Testimonial
My sister and I wanted to let you know how happy we are with Laura’s work with our 89 year old father. They have been working together two times a week to help him gain strength and work on his balance. While the physical strength improvement was the primary objective, our father’s interactions with Laura and his engagement with her are just as important. We are fortunate to have found Fitness & Function and Laura. Thank you.
D. Bishop
More on Exercise and Autism
The benefits of exercise in people with autism, using evidence-based practices, can produce life-changing results and is rated by parents as the # 1 Autism Treatment. Exercise for those with autism doesn’t just improve fitness levels. Exercise is an essential part of learning and play-exercise can be life-changing. It is very common for children with ASD to have some motor delays that are recognized by the parents before the delays in social and communication skills are apparent.
People with ASD often face unique challenges to physical fitness and are at risk for an inactive lifestyle and obesity. Beginning in the toddler years, American youngsters with ASD have a higher risk of being overweight or obese than other children. This pattern continues into adulthood. U.S. teenagers with autism are more than twice as likely to be obese as adolescents who don't have a developmental disability. Adults with autism have higher rates of obesity, as well as health conditions that can be caused or aggravated by obesity, such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.