ASD & extra curricular activities

[EarthMommy80]

DD1 and DD2 who is diagnosed ASD both started karate this week.  I thought it would be good for them, and they were both super excited and have enjoyed the classes.  But (of course there's a but!), I think it is going to be very difficult for DD2.  Going into it I knew there would be some issues, and it wouldn't be cake for her but I owe it to her to let her try something if she says she wants to.  Anyways, it has only been 2 classes but last night she had a HARD time.  She was flighty and not paying attention, having trouble keeping up with the excersizes, and the sensai even told me she was going to have a hard time.  DP said I shouldn't take her anymore, and I'm feeling torn :( 

BTW, she is very high functioning, but doesn't control her emotions well.  I don't think it's fair for her to be constantly told over and over to straighten up in the class, and it's not fair to the other kids either. 

[Linda on the move]

Have you talked to the teacher about the fact that she is on the autism spectrum?

[EarthMommy80]

Yes, on the day we joined.  They said that she could do a couple of classes and see how it works out and if not I could have my money back

[Mittsy]

We had my DD(6 in Mar), whom we strongly feel is either HFA or AS, in Gymanstics with The Little Gym about 2yrs ago and she loved it so much we're thinking of going with them again! The Little Gym has a non-competitive gymnastics program, and they play lots of imaginative games, music, and just plain FUN! DD doesn't like competitive or team sports, so this was a great fit for her. Best of luck to you!

[EarthMommy80]

Originally Posted by Mittsy 

We had my DD(6 in Mar), whom we strongly feel is either HFA or AS, in Gymanstics with The Little Gym about 2yrs ago and she loved it so much we're thinking of going with them again! The Little Gym has a non-competitive gymnastics program, and they play lots of imaginative games, music, and just plain FUN! DD doesn't like competitive or team sports, so this was a great fit for her. Best of luck to you!

Thanks Mittsy! That's what I'm thinking.... I should just drop her from the class and find something more appropriate for her. 

[beachcomber]

I could really see how a kid on the spectrum would either thrive or come unglued in a martial arts environment. It really depends on their gross motor and ability to focus. My DD who is 5 and has AD would never be able to do a class. She has significant proprioceptive challenges. It's hard for her on a good day to get her limbs to do what her brain asks them to do. The idea of being able to follow steps, do routines, etc., Nope. She'd fail miserably. This is a kid who can't clap and sing at the same time.

Have either of your kids been to OT? If so, ask the therapist what they'd recommend. Our recommended swimming and non-comp gymnastics with a gym who has experience working with special needs. No team sports or dance for my girl, unfortunately. Too hard for her.

[RiverTam]

Originally Posted by Mittsy 

We had my DD(6 in Mar), whom we strongly feel is either HFA or AS, in Gymanstics with The Little Gym about 2yrs ago and she loved it so much we're thinking of going with them again! The Little Gym has a non-competitive gymnastics program, and they play lots of imaginative games, music, and just plain FUN! DD doesn't like competitive or team sports, so this was a great fit for her. Best of luck to you!

Second on trying a class at the Little  Gym. It's a lot more child-friendly and relaxed than our dojo is. There was a girl with ASD in my son's 5-6 class last semester. She did very well.  Our Little Gym has gymnastics, dance, karate, and sports skills classes.

[EarthMommy80]

beachcomber- Gross motor skills are great!  DD2 has only had OT for things like holding pencils and scissors while at school.  She is VERY high functioning.  (DD1 is typical, no problems there)  The only issue she has had is her attention span and wanting a break.  It's not really the kind of environment where she can have special attention or extra breaks I guess.  I have heard so much about martial arts being a good activity for spectrum kids, but our Dojo just might not be the right choice for us.  I'm still undecided.

[KCMichigan]

Have you looked into community programs. Our area has a Spec.Needs class for  swim,drama, gymnastics, ballet, karate, and art. It is great. They are divided by age (most of them) and/or disability (some nature classes are for cognitive impairments, a swim class for wheelchair bound, and the theater has a special class (actually two) for kids w/ ASD for theater that helps teach them social skills and promotes social awareness- while allowing for quirky behaviors and frequent breaks.

Yes, kids w/ disabilities are welcome in the 'general classes', but sometimes the kids needs adaptations and/or to work with other kids in a like situation.  The classes were started after the local parents of ASD kids saw a need for it and wanted their kids to participate, but the 'general' class was not quiet appropriate- it has sense spread to many classes.

Have you looked into anything like that? 

I would give it another week and see if it gets better or worse, then decide. If she did OK the first time and not so well the second- see what the third brings.

Maybe a different dojo? Is there anything else she is interested in that would be more adaptable? A different time of day? (my DD w/ ASD does SO MUCH better in the am vs the pm).

[PikkuMyy]

There are dojos that have classes specially for kids with special needs with a much better ratio of staff/students, and/or sensai who are experienced teaching kids with special needs. You might want to call around town and see if there is one near you.

[StephandOwen]

I think it really depends on the class and the instructor. DS (ASD and SPD) has been in karate for a few months. When he first joined I was a bit hesitant, but dh really wanted him to try. That first class was HARD to watch. I was nearly in tears watching him because it was so hard for him and yet he was sticking with it. He went to 2 more classes that were not any better. DS really wanted to succeed, but there were way too many kids in the class and it was too noisy and too much stimulation. After the 3rd class we talked to his instructor who said he really wanted to work with ds and really felt like he could help him. We found a class time that we could do that only had 1-2 other kids at that time (sometimes it's ds alone with the instructor, never has it been more than 3 kids including ds). The instructor works one on one with ds a lot and is really good about helping ds see what he should be doing (he has a hard time watching someone else and copying their movements so the instructor will move ds's limbs into the position they should be in).

DS just did testing for yellow belt and we realized we made a HUGE mistake by not asking what it would be like. There were probably 40 students there for belt testing, plus all the employees plus parents. There were gongs and other instruments going off constantly. It was so noisy that it wasn't long before ds started melting down. To make it worse- they started at red belts (testing for black belts) and worked their way down to the white belts (testing for yellow). So it was about 1 1/2 hours of sitting still in line before it was his turn, while being way overstimulated. Needless to say, I pulled him out and he watched through a window from another room and we brought him back when they called his group. His instructor was fine with that. but I wish we had known beforehand that it would happen. Now we know better for the next belt testing though!

As for other extra curricular activities.... we've struggled with this. We tried soccer through the YMCA but it didn't work for ds at all. Last fall we found TOPSoccer (soccer for children with special needs). He THRIVED in it. Seriously one of the best things we've done for him. We've already signed him up for this springs session. We tried swimming lessons through the YMCA but it was horrible (and ended when *I* had to save ds from drowning because not only was the instructor not watching him but the lifeguard was off in la-la land totally ignoring ds). We've recently learned of a program for swimming lessons for children with special needs and we are considering it.

Have you tried local rehabilitation hospitals? I know the one ds goes to for therapy has some extra activities. Right now his OT just signed him up (with my permission, of course!) for a special art thing. Real artists come in for a once a week for 6 weeks program and they work together with the kids to create masterpieces. At the end they will pick 1 piece that each child did and display it alongside a piece that the artist created, that the child inspired. Of course, after it's done being displayed we'll have the option of buying it The rehab hospital also has a child chef program that teaches children how to cook. DS is still a bit too young for it but we'll probably look into it in the next few years. Another place to check might be your local parks and recreation. DS is going to try a bowling league for children with special needs (held every Saturday for a few months) soon. I don't know how he'll handle it, but we're willing to try

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by StephandOwen 

We tried swimming lessons through the YMCA but it was horrible (and ended when *I* had to save ds from drowning because not only was the instructor not watching him but the lifeguard was off in la-la land totally ignoring ds). We've recently learned of a program for swimming lessons for children with special needs and we are considering it.

Swimming has been the best activity for my DD over the years. Swim teams that are associated with USA Swimming are run to a higher standard than other teams, and *most* have swim lessons for children not ready for team and/or coaches who give private lessons. If you scroll down on this page:

http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabId=1577&Alias=Rainbow&Lang=en-US

You can search for USA Swimming Teams by zip code.

Many times at the Y or a through parks and rec, high school and college kids with little training are teaching lessons. I really can't see enough about the difference, about the quality of lessons and coaching when you have an adult who is passionate about swimming and professional swim coach/teacher.

Swim Team is the ONLY team sport my DD has been able to be apart of. It has been fantastic for her sensory issues, her sense of self, a great for forum of exercise, etc.

I wouldn't discount swimming for a child because the Y didn't work. I'm not a fan of Y swim lessons for any child.