Seeing the joy of karate through the eyes of an autistic child.
Suppose you are familiar with the world of martial arts, either through actual involvement as a student or a fan of the entertainment culture genre. In that case, you can appreciate the focus, dedication, and repetitive steps it takes to master the simplest of forms. To progress, you must first demonstrate you have the skill set level to move forward.
Dr. Len Brassard, the master sensei of Family Martial Arts Center, is certified to work with children of all ages who are diagnosed with attention deficit disorders or struggle with behavioral trauma-related physical and mental health subsets.
His passion and commitment to involving each student socially, emotionally, and empathically has earned him countless kudos within his community, his group of equal-ranked instructors, and decades of students. His advocacy for mentoring those with special needs certainly added to his 2020 inductee status into the auspices of the Kenpo International Hall of Fame.
What martial arts is best for autistic people?
There is no one martial art that is best for autistic people. Different martial arts can benefit people, depending on their needs and preferences. Some martial arts that may be beneficial for autistic people include Aikido, Tai Chi, and Judo. These martial arts focus on self-defense, mindfulness, and body awareness, which can be beneficial for people with autism.
At Brassard’s, the disciplines of American Kenpo karate are followed as a specialty and suit every child perfectly due to its repetitive and self-progressive process. Working with your child and abilities and not advancing each student of all ages without a firm foundation to stand on makes all the difference for someone struggling with staying focused or comprehending instructions to perform one task to its successful completion.
Karate for autism, martial arts for ADHD, or other related complexities do not need to involve body contact or competition. The simple inclusion of the repetitions undertaken in breathing, stretching, and gentle tumbling with a group of peers can work wonders until the student is ready to show their own willingness to move ahead independently at a passive pace.
To ask him directly why the study of martial arts is best for an autistic child or is karate good for Aspergers, Dr. Len would answer vehemently in the affirmative, as covered in a related article that touts some of the benefits found in the quote below:
What is the hardest part of life for a child with autism?
“Karate is a martial art that has been around for centuries, and it has been used to help people of all ages and abilities improve their physical and mental health. Improved Focus and Concentration: Karate requires focus and concentration, which can be especially beneficial for kids with autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD. The repetitive movements and drills help to improve focus and concentration, which can help kids with these conditions to manage their symptoms better”.
https://blog.centurymartialarts.com/benefits-of-martial-arts-for-kids-with-autism
Most who parent, foster, or actively involve themselves with any person diagnosed with any pervasive developmental disorders agree that the hardest part about life as a child with autism is the number of social challenges that stem from it. By working with the challenges, martial arts for autism programs and martial arts ADHD classroom integration classes can draw your child into a supportive, peer-positive activity because the warning signs of people coping with any learning or emotional disability are prone to succinctly emoting their confusion. While most martial arts autism or karate for ADHD are developed for child and adult sufferers, the other peer students are also educated and informed about the proper protocol and procedures to become empathic yet still normalizing the class lesson or workout. It’s all about balance—a core element of any martial arts tenet.
What activities do autistic people struggle with?
Many children with autism have difficulty understanding social cues, making friends, and communicating with others. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can be very difficult to cope with. Additionally, children with autism may have difficulty the following routine activities and exhibit the signs of high-functioning autism:
● Sensory processing can make everyday activities like going to school or the store overwhelming and stressful.
● Abstract thinking, problem-solving, and executive functioning skills.
● Motor coordination, such as sports or handwriting.
● Making eye contact.
● Understanding nonverbal cues.
● Engaging in small talk.
● Participating in group activities.
● Understanding sarcasm.
● Managing sensory overload.
● Following multi-step instructions.
● Coping with changes in routine.
● Expressing emotions.
● Interpreting facial expressions.
ADHD karate and martial arts
Brassard’s Family Martial Arts Center is the Leominster, MA, and the twin city regions’ number one resource for questions, advice, and class type. One-on-one, smaller class involvement, or online lessons are available, as are an entire pool of archived lessons, so even starting a new class midstream is completely possible.
Martial arts ADHD-specific classes and sessions might be a great way to start your child off into peer and social integration at the pace they can tolerate and grow into, not feel threatened or stressfully overloaded back into seclusion along with the following benefits as well:
“Improved Social Skills: Karate classes are a great way for kids with autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD to practice their social skills. The classes provide a safe and supportive environment where kids can practice interacting with others and learn to work as part of a team.
Improved Self-Confidence: Karate can help kids with autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD to build self-confidence. As they learn new skills and progress in their training, they will gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievements.
Improved Physical Health: Karate is a great way for kids with autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD to get regular physical activity. Physical activity can help to improve their overall physical health, as well as help to reduce stress and anxiety.”
blog.centurymartialarts.com/benefits-of-martial-arts-for-kids-with-autism
According to a compiled dated research study, the topic of martial arts autism, martial arts ADHD, and whether associated special needs spectrum behavioral symptomatic kids are at risk of being victimized by traumatic events was noted more than a decade ago at https://www.myaspergerschild.com/2010/08/aspergers-kids-and-karate.html that “…bullying is a serious problem for kids with Aspergers (high-functioning autism). Some experts say that as many as 85% of children with Asperger’s are subjected to bullying. Others place that number much closer to 100%. The very symptoms and characteristics of Aspergers are the cause.”
Martial Arts autism social options: because we all have a bad day.
ADHD karate and related autism karate programs offered at Family Martial Arts Center also include an entire online stay-at-home feature where you can access lessons, stay up to date with class material, travel and vacation with an ongoing class or backtrack and work into smaller steps should the student initially balk at socializing with others. The internet webinar style is also attractive to those with Asperger, autism, and ADHD because of its 24/7 availability. Now you can rest easy knowing even while on that family vacation or stuck in rush hour traffic, you have direct access to an alternate way to engage, comfort, and calm your child positively.
If you or a loved one are affected by any behavioral disability, PTSD, or related attention deficit disorder, reach out now and take the first steps away from the detrimental social stigma that makes you feel unable to function within any social environment. Here at Family Martial Arts Center, you are part of the family, and we promise to provide everyone with the most life-changing, positive, social, physical, and fun experience.