Karate/taekwando for Kids with Special Needs - Does It Help?

You know... I'm JUST starting the same for my adhd kiddo. Although we're doing Aikido.

What's NOT important is the STYLE of martial art, but instead the WAY in which it is taught. Think Karate Kid (the old one, haven't seen the new one). You know how there are the 2 dojo types? The guilt/shame/win at all costs/being hit in the head teaches you to duck dojo and the respect/thoughtfulness/best you can be/control -so you can stop a milimeter BEFORE you hit someone, or control the strength in which you hit someone dojo? Those are really the 2 trends in martial arts. Dojos tend to fall into one or the other. So the trick isn't the STYLE, but the STYLE IN WHICH THE KIDS ARE TAUGHT.

Something to look for as well:

In our area there is an Aikido school that focuses *primarilly* on Aspie kids. Yes, they take typical kids, adhd kids, etc... but the instructor has an aspie child herself, and so really gears the lessons in ways in which HFA / Aspie kids can get the most benefit out of it. It's really cool. So when you're looking for a dojo, not only pay attention to how the kids are taught, but also look for instructors which actively look for special needs kids.

Hi, my daughter a victim of bullies and really shy. We were encouraged to sign up her up for karate to help with confidence. She did one semester then got bored so we switched to something else. At the time, I didn't realize it helped.
A year later she had to deal with boys playing very loudly and roughly. It scared several girls in her class. She asked to go back to karate, but changed her mind because she worked it out.
She explained to the boys they did not want to be hitting her or pushing her because she took karate. Also, she had played touch football with an older boy and accidentally hurt him. She didn't want to hurt them.
One laughed and called her a liar, but they all quit bothering her. Her other friend took tackle football lessons from her dad. She told them she would be taking them down if they hit or pushed her again. Now she and my daughter are left alone. The third girl is still getting messed with.

My Daughter takes Karate.
Her friend, who is special needs.... tried it and they also spoke to the Sensei about their child and his special needs.
He is high functioning Asperger's/ ADD.
He is 6 years old.

The Sensei said he is welcomed to join Karate... but as the boy 'tried'... it became evident that he was not 'able' to actually do it... because his attentiveness was of course, not there... and he was easily distracted. Of course. His Dad, even took Karate WITH him... in order to help facilitate him. But.. in the end, they decided to quit and wait, until he is perhaps more mature and more able to actually follow along....

Also, the Karate class, does NOT have an Aide... to help the boy. And, the Sensei's, although very caring... just do not have the know-how... for handling a special needs child... as this boy is. They did their best to encourage the boy... but, the boy was just not 'able' to do it. But he DID want to take Karate and was excited about it very much. He is a great kid.

But, in my daughter's class, there is also a 12 year old boy... who IS borderline Asperger's and has attention issues.... and he is doing fine... maybe because he is older. His Mom enrolled him in Karate, for the same reasons you mentioned in your post. And he LIKES Karate and is doing well... showing good progress. The Sensei's are proud of him... they encourage him. This same boy, also takes Golf lessons.

Marital arts... does NOT teach "violence" nor that the child's limbs are 'weapons.' That is NOT the point... it is an art... of thinking and discipline and respect. And also, self-defense. Children are NOT taught... that the point is about 'fighting.' That is NOT how my daughter's Karate school... is taught.
My Daughter... LOVES LOVES LOVES, Karate. She is 7.
She also took dance.... but she loves Karate, better.

Maybe... you or your Husband, can take marital arts lessons, WITH your child as well. Be in the same class.

all the best,
Susan

Karate or taekwando can be beneficial, but it depends on the kid. My friends chose a different path because they knew their son all too well and didn't want him karate chopping people or the pets.
They put him in dance and he LOVED IT! He still had to be disciplined and listen and learn the steps, but it was more active and physical in a way that focused on him using his own body and his own personal space and let him get his energy out. There was no physical contact involved and they liked that part!
I do have friends that put their kid in karate and he only lasted a couple of lessons because a lot of it was sitting and listening and taking turns and he was "bored". He wanted to get to the fighting which really isn't supposed to be the point.

Your son may do great with it, though. I hope you get some great responses.

Best wishes!

Hi P.,

My sisters have disabilities and any sort of exercise is key. However, keep in mind, by teaching him karate, his very own limbs become weapons.

My sister learned karate at a young age and then she moved on to dance. While in high school she was very quiet and kept to herself. Both sisters (twins) took dance class and the instructor recognized the ability to dance and asked them to lead the class. One particular girl who seemed to be a frenemy started to give her a hard time about being the teachers pet etc. She would purposely knock into my sister while dancing and then it continued in the halls. One day...the girl was doing the pushing thing in dance class and while the girl was behind her, my sister turned and punched over her shoulder and broke the girls nose and knocked her out. While we all feel it was well deserved, she could have done more damage.

As well, with her disability she has from time to time become out of hand with my mother who is single and punched her a few times. My mother says she is very strong. She only does this with my mother and not me, because she has a much bigger fight on her hands if she tries it with me.

So exercise and structured activity is good, but use caution.