'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

[Visionary7903]

Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey also mentions the importance of a familiar environment and routines for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders. As we have seen often in this thread, often times Autistic kids may be very uncomfortable at first when trying something. However, after a number of sessions, they can really get into it like a fish in water…

…Let’s talk about some benefits right now. Consistency and repetition create familiarity and, therefore, children on the autism spectrum do well with classes. Repetition of the same location, same faces, same curriculum, and knowing what to expect are all part of the recipe. With continuous structure, discipline and fun exercises, even the child with multisensory issues almost immediately rises to the occasion…

(source: Why Martial Arts Are Best for Special Needs | SpecialNeeds.com)

[Visionary7903]

Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey teaches kids the Soo Bahk Do system - a kind of Korean karate.

The way that rituals are an essential part of the various Asian Martial Arts should also be good for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders. After all, kids with Autism, often thrive on routine…

…“I liked the forms,” [A mother whose two daughters train in the Hwang Karate Studio] said, describing the ritualized movements students must learn. She said Del Sordo’s instruction is “a good mix of discipline and humor and wisdom” and is a constant reminder of certain values, “such as ‘Always finish what you start.’”…

(source: Students study Soo Bahk Do at Hwang Karate : page 1 - NorthJersey.com)

[Visionary7903]

One Martial Arts technique which lacks rituals is Krav Maga. This type of Martial Art, originating from Israel, focuses almost on self-defense only and what works in real life. This might be a really good technique to learn for kids and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders who are being bullied (or are at great risk of being bullied) and need to learn quickly and properly how to defend themselves…

…A dozen disabled women are learning these self-defense techniques at the Levis Jewish Community Center west of Boca Raton, in a class designed to boost their confidence in the stressful situations they regularly encounter. The women, who have physical and neurological impairments, have been bullied, groped, stared at and stalked. Many lack friends and spend most of their time in the house, leaving them vulnerable during their contacts with the outside world.

…“If someone attacked me now, I’d be ready,” [Tori] said.

“They are learning safety skills for real life,” [Marianne] said. “They are generally not equipped to handle abuse and dangerous situations.”…

(source: Boca Raton: Disabled women learn self defense - Sun Sentinel)

[Visionary7903]

Here is an example of a success story, via a testimonial, of using Krav Maga successfully to minimise problems related to bullying. It is taken from the site for Next Generation Krav Maga in Dallas, Texas…

Perfect Bully Target
Our son was born with a mild physical disability that effects the mobility in one arm and shoulder. This, coupled with less than compassionate teachers at school, made him the perfect bully target. School days were a nightmare dominated by bruises, anxiety and fear. A friend of ours recommended the Next Generation program to us, but we were apprehensive about enrolling because of the disability. Flash forward only nine months, and he’s more confident, much less reactive to inappropriate or aggressive behavior in others, and excited about school again. As an unexpected blessing, the program has actually mitigated a lot of the disability that almost kept us from enrolling him! Using his Krav Maga warm-ups, he now actively enjoys our daily stretching, and he has gained strength, boosted his reflexes, and his mobility has improved beyond what we were told it ever could.

(source: Next Generation Krav Maga Perfect Bully Target)

[Visionary7903]

Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey teaches kids the Soo Bahk Do system - a kind of Korean karate.

One of the added features of learning a Martial Art with lots of rituals, like Soo Bahk Do, is it gives you an introduction to a foreign culture. This should broaden the horizons of special needs kids (as it would with anyone else)…

…This spring, four young students who are township residents received their black belts in a ceremony presided over by H.C. Hwang, son of the founder of the Soo Bahk Do system which is taught at the school.

Holly … 9, said part of her enjoyment of karate is learning about the Korean culture.

“The hardest part for me is the terminology,” she said. “We have to learn the names of some of the kicks and punches.” Holly said the students also spar, but at her level, she said, “It’s called free sparring. We don’t actually hit each other.”

…While Holly and Michael earned their Cho Dan rank, or first degree black belt, Sean … 13, earned his E Dan, or second degree…

(source: Students study Soo Bahk Do at Hwang Karate : page 1 - NorthJersey.com)

[Visionary7903]

As far as culture goes, South America is among the most colourful places on Earth in terms of what it offers in that regard. Capoeira is a Brazilian Martial Art that combines elements of dance and music. It is gaining popularity in western countries and is known for its quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for leg sweeps.

A Capoeira program for special needs kids is currently running in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Note the way that additional things are incorporated that most of the Martial Arts do not have - relating to music for example…

…Capoeira Kids aims to provide physical fitness, music and fun to children with special needs. In the program, your child will learn to move and control their body within their abilities. They will improve strength, balance and coordination through the dance like movements of Capoeira. They will also participate in the music of capoeira, singing songs, and playing drums and other instruments.

The instructor, Trent … is a pediatric physical therapist and capoeirista (capoeira player) with 9 years experience playing the game of capoeira. While travelling in Brazil, he saw several instances of children and adults with special needs playing capoeira and was amazed by how they adapted the game to their own unique abilities.

Capoeira Kids is for children ages 5 and over with special needs, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, Asperger’s, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Down Syndrome, etc. The goal of Capoeira Kids is to provide
a supportive environment where kids can strengthen their body and spirit, enjoy fitness and a healthy lifestyle, learn music, make friends, and most importantly have fun…

(source: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=259461497408355)

[Visionary7903]

In an above post it was mentioned that Martial Arts can truly be seen as an all-in-one treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders:

…“One parent (of an autistic child) told me that [American Taekwondo Association] training gave her family ‘the best bang for the buck’ out of all the therapies they tried,” says [Barbie, founder of the Achievement Academy]. “Another told me it (enrolling their autistic child in ATA) was the best thing they ever did, seeing the fastest advancement in the least amount of time. I know why: the occupational therapy, the sensory, the social - it truly is a ‘one stop’ place for all the needs of our kids.”…

Capoeira may be an even stronger ‘one stop shop’ for the needs of special needs children. Aside from the Martial Arts aspect, children learn the dance moves and music that come with the Brazilian technique…

Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that is a mix of dance, music, martial art, and gymnastics…

(sources: Karate Man - Chattanooga Parent, llc; Capoeira Kids | A fusion of Martial Arts, Dance, Music, and Fun for kids with special needs)

[Visionary7903]

Capoeira is, not suprisingly, used as a therapy in Brazil. There seems to be quite a lot of stimulation involved in relation to the art form, as well as various roles for the participants to play, which might be especially good for those people with special needs who are prone to boredom. They might find a traditional Asian Martial Art a little too two-dimensional…

…Capoeira was created in Brazil over four hundreds years ago by African slaves who had to disguise their fight training into some sort of dance/celebration. Instruments and live music were introduced and became an important part of the Art.
Capoeira creates an extremely social environment, due to the need for live music. A minimum of three people is required, for two to ‘play’ and one to play the Berimbau (a one-stringed instrument). Usually, a large group will play together, and form a full Bateria, an orchestra of sorts, of percussion instruments.
Capoeira is practiced across the globe, is present on all continents, and has been adopted as an extra curricular discipline in many universities around the world. Capoeira academies and clubs are now common in communities everywhere.
In Brazil, Capoeira is being used as a form of therapy for people with special needs. Some very successful programs have over 20 years of outreach.
Due to Brazil’s history of social problems, Capoeira-based therapy programs are quite common for assisting those who have suffered from discrimination, aggression, abuse and social violence. They have had tremendous success in helping participants to recover their confidence, self-esteem and social skills as well as building group participation and team-work.
Similar programs in Brazil are helping those with violent behavior to gain more control over their temper and reactions improving this way their social interaction by making them more calm and peaceful…

(source: About : Bantu Beira Mar Capoeira)

[Visionary7903]

Again, here is more on the capacity of special needs kids practicing a Martial Art form (in this case Capoeira) to be a source of inspiration to others. When you see someone else with seemingly insurmountable challenges go on and try their best, it touches your heart and makes you realise that your problems are so trivial in comparison…

…In between my students, almost one hundred, there were autistics; Down’s syndrome affected; blinds; mentally and physically handicapped kids or even people in a wheelchair…

I recall a moment that struck me, it was 15 years ago when I was still a beginner … when I was touched by seeing the students … They had the same needs of my students and they prepared a Capoeira … show that deeply touched all the public and half the audience burst into tears.

I decided to … develop my project with special students. In few months I achieved to ingrain a group with a strong feeling of reliance giving them some exercises that they introduced in their daily routine.

…It was unbelievable what those students achieved to do in a roda and the self-confidence and happiness that they won for their life. Even more incredible is that the ‘so-called normal’ learns by integration with special. …I have seen many big and strong capoeiristas that were moved by the effort, the bravery and the passion with what they were facing their bounds.

In front of these people we, the ‘normal’ people, should revaluate our difficulties. Maybe what really make things difficult to us are our own attitudes and not a real physical obstacle.

…We can even go a little bit further. As per example when a hemiplegic student, with hard troubles in mobility was talking to me when suddenly pointed to another direction. I looked that way innocently and he tried to make a rasteira to me. I didn’t realize at the beginning, but in Capoeira, the most relevant is the intention. So he had already defeated me. He was already a capoeirista and I haven’t even noticed it…

(source: http://4capoeirathoughts.com/2011/06/27/a-gift-of-social-inclusion-?-by-mestre-boca-rica-cdo-barcelona/)

[Visionary7903]

Here is a great video showing how Capoeira is being used to foster inclusion (including those people with Autism Spectrum Disorders) in Brazil: Capoeira Social Inclusion - YouTube

I guess the history and the fact that Capoeira was developed by people who were excluded originally (Afro-Brazilian slaves), lends credibility for this use of the art form…

…Capoeira ARUANDA Project is a non-profit org. working with impoverished and special needs people. Here in Santos-Sao Paulo, we are blessed to be by the ocean but the inner city residents with physical and financial disabilities don’t have the same opportunity and access to an athletic facility.

(source: Capoeira Social Inclusion - YouTube)

[Visionary7903]

Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey has been instructing special needs since the 1980s. His successful approach focuses on individualising instruction to special needs kids, recognising that each one is so unique:

…“He’s extremely patient with them,” Sue … a physical therapist .. who has worked extensively with Del Sordo, said. “He treats them like regular kids.”

…Teaching martial arts to children with special needs requires an instructor with a singular skill set. …In teaching the class, Del Sordo has learned to read each student and tailor his instruction to them.

“Each child has a specific need,” Del Sordo said. “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing.”

While he is able to mainstream some students into regular classes, special needs students begin their instruction in one-on-one classes in a program designed specially for them that includes a complete rating system and belt program for them alone.

…“Once you find out what makes a kid tick, you can go and make them do what you want to do,” Del Sordo said.

(source: Karate Week: Hwang Studio Teaches Karate To Special Needs Students - Springfield, NJ Patch)

[Visionary7903]

When someone has had it tough, like kids with special needs, they are often very determined to succeed when the opportunity finally presents itself. For example when they find an environment of acceptance and a good instructor, who will respectfully understand their personal needs and show a lot of patience with them. Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey seems to be one such instructor. The special needs pupil is likely to react positively if someone goes the extra yard for them (not spoiling them though of course!):

For all the awards on display at his karate studio, Hwang Karate owner and master Paul Del Sordo is most proud of his ability to connect with his students, particularly children with special needs.

“I’d rather teach a child with special needs,” Del Sordo said. “They’re loyal, they love it, they’re on time and they try hard.”

“He’s extremely patient with them,” Sue … a physical therapist … who has worked extensively with Del Sordo, said. “He treats them like regular kids.”…

(source: Karate Week: Hwang Studio Teaches Karate To Special Needs Students - Springfield, NJ Patch)

[Visionary7903]

I mentioned in another post, that the rituals in many of the Martial Arts should work well with people with Autism Spectrum Disorders who may enjoy the familiar routine. Master Paul Del Sordo of Pediatric Martial Arts in Springfield, New Jersey agrees with this assessment, mentioning the structured and ritualistic nature being compatible with children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Indeed, people with Autism often have highly obsessive tendencies as well of course…

…Del Sordo believes the martial arts are ideal for children on the autism spectrum. Students with obsessive-compulsive disorder are attracted to the structured, ritualistic nature of martial arts…

(source: Karate Week: Hwang Studio Teaches Karate To Special Needs Students - Springfield, NJ Patch)

[Visionary7903]

Thus far, we have only looked at individual classes and teachers using Martial Arts to help treat symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders and various other special needs. The following is an example of a large scale program that utilises Martial Arts as a treatment for special needs:

…Today, the basic elements of the “Motivating Our Children to Excellence”] program are used in 24 therapeutic schools, serving almost 2,000 children with ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome and similar conditions. In addition to using therapeutic martial arts activities and exercises, the program is also designed to enhance social skills, improve self-control and self-confidence, and help students develop better academic learning strategies and problem-solving abilities…

(source: http://www.wmaf.bizland.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/new_press_worc_release.pdf)

[Visionary7903]

Aside from Martial Arts, Summit Academy schools also incorporate Therapeutic Tennis in their curriculums. One assumes that this is probably because Tennis is not an easy sport to play for many students with special needs (Summit Academy schools are focused on this segment of the student population):

…I have assumed the duties of running our Therapeutic Tennis Program. We have made a great deal of progress, and our mantra is starting to change from "That’s not the way Sensei Mitchell did it!? to the more positive “Wow! We’re having fun!” We open each class with a consistent set of drills designed to instill self-discipline, footwork, and racket control. We then engage in an extensive stretching regimen, followed by a rotation of exercises designed to improve coordination, footwork, and basic tennis skills. We have made great strides, and I am looking forward to spending more time outside this spring…

(source: www.summitacademiesma.com/March%20Newsletter.doc)

[Visionary7903]

Indeed Tennis is another sport that is being used more and more widely to help Autistic people. ACEing Autism is a Tennis program founded by Tennis pro Richard Spurling. It is now in Southern California as well. Again the fun aspect of playing a sport like Tennis means that kids are likely to keep coming back to the therapeutic lessons for a long time…

…The program uses a unique approach to teach skills, help with social interaction and, of course, there is also a lot of fun involved.

Five-year-old Diego has been in the program for a year. His parents think it is making a huge difference.

“These kids need patience, they need love, so we have found those elements here at ACEing Autism, because we are part of a big family,” said Diego’s father, Manuel…

Also part of that family is 9-year-old Michelle. At first she could not even hit the ball, now she is a star on the court and she has learned a lot more than the fundamentals of tennis.

“Taking turns, sharing, being compassionate,” Michelle said, describing the other skills she has learned.

Her friend Enzo also came here, not able to even focus on the ball. But now it is a different story.

“What do you think about tennis,” I asked.

“That I know how to play it,” Enzo replied with confidence.

“It is great for him to know when to take his turn, when to wait, to be aware of the other kids, not to swing the racquet crazy,” said Enzo’s mother, Gabriella…

…“I mean it’s such a great program for kids on the spectrum, because they get to work on their motor skills, their hand-eye coordination and social skills and they have a great time while they are doing it,” Spurling said.

…Now the inspiration can be seen all over the court, in all age groups and in the confidence these kids have, even giving me a few tips.

“So first put your racquet like this and then someone throws [the ball]”

It is no doubt that love and varying sets of skills are a perfect match for these kids and teens – making a different on and off the court

(source: ACEing Autism Program Uses Tennis To Help Kids, Teens With Autism CBS Los Angeles)

[Visionary7903]

Another Tennis program in another part of the United States is the Matilda Blue Adaptive Tennis Program, founded by Chris Cubbage. It was started in Charleston, South Carolina and has recently expanded to Charlottesville, Virginia. One interesting feature of the program is that it aims to include whole families, not just the Autistic kids. This is to teach the other family members ways to physically interact with the Autistic child. Another interesting feature is using a fictional character to teach the kids…

Anyone who interacts with Matilda Blue would tell you she’s quite a character.

She’s Rastafarian and friends with Little Debbie, of the snack cake variety. She gets Eskimo Pies mailed to her on a regular basis.

And she’s a fierce tennis player. Despite her titanium leg.

Matilda is indeed a character, a fictional figure developed by resident Chris … to teach tennis to children. She is also the star of the Matilda Blue Adaptive Tennis Program, designed to teach tennis to autistic children while also involving their families…

…The adaptive tennis program is designed to encourage physical activity among autistic children and the development of other traits, such as self-esteem, focus and social interaction with others.

…Involving parents, even siblings, also teaches them how to physically interact with their children. [Chris] said Matilda is all about family–some of the children understand her and others don’t, but he still uses the character to teach some sort of lesson at the end of the day.

“Because she has a disability, I’ve used her as the name of the program,” he said.

…it is particularly challenging with autistic children to try novel things, so having the family around–as in the case of the adaptive tennis program–means the child might be more comfortable and more receptive to the activity…

(source: Tennis program designed for autistic children | Daily Progress)

[Visionary7903]

Going back to the ACEing Autism program now, which has sites in Boston and Los Angeles. The program, as is so often the case, was started by a partnership: the Tennis pro Richard Spurling and his wife Shafali, a child neurologist. Richard explains the area that the program and Tennis generally may work to improve in kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders:

…A primary goal of ACEing Autism is to improve motor function since up to 90 percent of children with [Autism Spectrum Disorders] demonstrate motor impairments. These include deficits in gross and fine motor skills, coordination, gait, and planning of complex motor behaviors (see Jeste, 2011).

Motor function is critical for language development, social learning and overall cognitive ability. Unfortunately, because motor problems are not part of the diagnostic criteria of [Autism Spectrum Disorders], most services and treatments do not target them. By targeting motor deficits, we work to improve language and social skills, along with learning, in children with these disorders…

(source: Tennis ? for the health of it! > Articles > Acing Autism)

[Visionary7903]

A sports camp, for example a Tennis camp, may be a great, relatively inexpensive way for Autistic kids to experience Tennis in an intensive fashion. It gives them an intense introduction to the sport, and from there they (and their parents) can decide if they wish to take things further…

They’d only been at it for a handful of days, but participants in the Nicely-Served Tennis Academy were currently exhibiting progress in their capacity to hit a tennis ball.

The camp, open to young children with autism, is arranged by Autism Speaks and hosted by the Ethel Walker School. Participants, who are taught by volunteer coaches, discover how to hold a racket, hit a ball and play inside the boundaries of a court.

…[Shannon] explained the coaches are a fantastic group, whose caring manner at times brings her to tears.

“During training, I have stated that it’s not about forcing the youngsters to play tennis, it’s about offering these little ones the chance to have a physical and social experience that they wouldn’t have otherwise,” stated [Shannon], whose own son is autistic. “That’s why we stored the price tag down to $ twenty a week. If I brought my son to the tennis camp in town, I would have to shell out the payment and shell out a [paraprofessional] to go with him. A great deal of families can’t manage that cost.”

Getting little ones to take part on their very own terms is crucial, explained [Shannon], supplying an case in point of a camper who kept to himself at first and would only walk the perimeter of the court and the gymnasium on the 2nd day.

“We want them to have a lifelong curiosity in playing a sport. Our children don’t play football, they don’t play soccer, they have a actually tough time in team sports”…

(source: Tennis ? for the health of it! > Articles > Acing Autism)

[Visionary7903]

Some favourable facts below about Tennis, in comparison to other sports, from the Mark Feinsod Tennis Academy (MFTA) website. MFTA in Las Vegas works with the Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) program to help youngsters with Autism and other special needs learn the game of tennis…

…Here are a few interesting facts:

1. People who participate in tennis 3 hrs per week cut their risk of death in half from any cause, according to physician Ralph Paffenbarger who studies over 10,000 people over a 20 year period.

2. Tennis players scored higher in vigor, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes and non-athletes according to Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern Connecticut State University.

3. Since Tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain and thus promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain, reported scientists at the University of Illinois.

4. Tennis outperforms golf, in line skating and most other sports in developing positive personality characteristics according to Dr. Jim Gavin, author of The Exercise Habit.

5. Competitive tennis burns more calories than aerobics, in line skating, or cycling, according to studies on caloric expenditures…

(source: MFTA - Health Benefits Of Tennis - Worldwide, NY)