Autism and martial arts?

pastalady · January 2014

Anyone with a child with autism doing martial arts. We need a new activity for DD. Google has mixed results but I found a good place that promotes as being great for sn kids. We will go check it out and try a free class but anyone with experience? On one hand I feel the routine and joint impact would be great for DD. On the other if she doesn't show the respect, etc will she be ostracized? Also, she hasn't been diagnosed but dev pedi is 100 percent sure an ADHD dx is coming if that makes a difference. Thanks!

pastalady · January 2014

Thanks, we have tried so many activities. Most end in tears, me not DD lol! I just want her to have something. We may just try the free class. I can usually see the dynamics right away what will work and what won't. We tried sport all last year. Ugh, that was bad! Maybe something like girl guides? Any insight with that?

pastalady · January 2014

I spoke to someone at our local martial arts center. The owners son is 4 and also has autism. They seem very open. They do have 3 kids in the little dragons program right now with autism, so I like that. They get that she will not be lining up and always paying attention lol! She is 4 1/2 now.

The reason we have tried sport ball and dance is that she needs to burn off energy.

She also has a sleep disorder. To get her to sleep, even with pharmo melatonin, we need to get this energy out.

I honestly don't think I ever seen my kid sit still. She eats pretty well but is 43 inches tall and 28 pounds. Off the charts for height and only in the 10 percentile for weight.

She just seems happier when she's active. Our weather is awful right now. Minus 40 here with windchill. So getting outside is tough. Other months it's not unusual for us to have an ot session, her to go to preschool, go to a bouncy castle for 2 hours, walk a few miles to the grocery store, go to the park, and she still has energy to burn lol!

We have been swimming recently more. That seems to help. The water resistance is exactly what she needs. Maybe we will focus on that for now. Thanks for the insight!

pastalady · January 2014

Exactly. We need the exercise lol!

d.f · January 2014

My son goes to a Premier Martial Arts class 1-2x a week where DH goes to Krav Maga classes. He loves it. One of the managers (owner's) at their other location has a child on the Spectrum, my understanding is that he is the one who trains those who instruct the kids. The class is only 30 minutes and consists of 20 minutes of exercise/ heavy work (running, jumping jacks, sit ups, my kid with a weak core can plank because of the class, obstacle courses, jumping etc). Then 10 minutes of instruction using pads on punching and kicking. There's usually no more than 5 kids in the 5 year old class. By observation (a class of middle schoolers is right after) I suspect there are at least a few fellow travelers or cousins in the classes.

pastalady · January 2014

We found a studio where the owners have a 4 year old with autism. They currently have 4 kids with ASD in the little dragons program. So we will try the class next week, hooray!

coffee bean · January 2014

No experience with martial arts, but my daughter has taken horseback riding lessons through a therapeutic riding center for a couple years. She absolutely loves it. I highly recommend.

lemen99 · February 2014

My son does horse back riding and swimming. Both excellent!!

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