Jiu jitsu for kids with disabilities???

Cash Bill 52 · 11-01-2009, 08:11 PM

I was just wondering if you guys know of anybody who teaches a grappling art to kids or adults with disabilities. I've watched Kyle Maynard and others with severe physical disabilities, but I haven't seen kids with autism, severe ADHD, processing disorders, or other mental challenges.

A parent has asked me to work with a kid who is challenged physically and academically. He's a great kid and everyone loves him.

My thought is that jiu jitsu is good for anybody and everybody. Do you believe this statement is true?

I'll let you know how it goes. I scheduled a free private lesson for the kid and his friend for Tuesday. Afterwards, we'll watch the kids' class together and see if this is something that can work for him.

Graunie · 11-01-2009, 08:19 PM

Graciemag covered something about this last year. The short of it was that it ended up being a really good thing for the kids. Good luck.

Balto · 11-01-2009, 08:21 PM

I think BJJ is perfect for kids with disabilities.

BJJ gives kids confidence, focus, self esteem, and a good workout. Kids with disabilities usually need that even more than other kids.

I've never really taught BJJ to kids with problems, but I have taught other martial arts to them. The results are typically amazing. You just have to find a way to get through to them, but once you do, you'd be stunned at the results.

It's my opinion that martial arts are even better for challenged kids than they are for regular kids. The reason for this is that regular kids usually still have the option of playing team sports in school, etc. Kids with problems tend to just end up on the bench and feel bad when they let the team down by missing a play or something.

The martial arts helps a lot in these situations because there is less of a focus on the team. This allows the kid to develop at his own pace and focus solely on getting a little bit better each day.

So yeah, I think it's a very rewarding experience.

Born_To_Die · 11-01-2009, 08:28 PM

YouTube - Deficientes Visuais no Jiu-jitsu / Blind kid in BJJ

YouTube - Black belt training with an blind BJJ athlete / Atleta de Jiu jitsu cego treinando com faixa preta

Balto · 11-01-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Born_To_Die

YouTube - Deficientes Visuais no Jiu-jitsu / Blind kid in BJJ

YouTube - Black belt training with an blind BJJ athlete / Atleta de Jiu jitsu cego treinando com faixa preta

Cool videos.

I actually taught Karate to a blind guy once. He was legally blind, but not totally blind if that makes sense. He could still see like two feet in front of him.

If you got close enough to him, he could still see the pad to hit it. He did amazingly well considering that he was legally blind.

Born_To_Die · 11-01-2009, 08:43 PM

The human mind is capable of incredible things, including adapting to circumstances that are unfair/disadvantageous. It's possible, you just have to find the right way of teaching that will make sense/connect with them.

It could be difficult or they will understand it right away; if Helen Keller could learn to communicate (considering her circumstances and the fact that communicating with another person in a coherent manner is very difficult when you think about it), then learning one of the most basic things known to man (wrestling/Jiu-Jitsu) is more than possible.

Wolfwood · 11-01-2009, 08:55 PM

well if he is mentally challenged and young this might be life changing for him
the brain is still developing when you are young
maybe a little bit of stimuli is what he needs
I know the russians taught boxing at their math academies becasue based on this theory
and kids with mental problems are currently treated with similar methods
eg wii style game with gloves on
hit the red ballon billy

Mikey Triangles · 11-01-2009, 09:01 PM

I agree with you 100%. I've taught autistic children (mainly Asperger's Syndrome), and children with ADHD and it helped them tremendously... though there was one asperger's student that hated Jiu-jitsu. I had to do only boxing with him instead. he became obsessed with boxing, so that was all we did. He was the only one I had to teach seperately.

bluefloyd · 11-01-2009, 09:03 PM

there is a japanese jj place in a near by city where i live that im pretty sure all the students are disabelled or they specialize in it, seems pretty successfull, i havent heard of any bjj place though, im sure they are around

codemonkey76 · 11-01-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluefloyd

there is a japanese jj place in a near by city where i live that im pretty sure all the students are disabelled or they specialize in it, seems pretty successfull, i havent heard of any bjj place though, im sure they are around

c'mon that is a low blow, just coz they do japanese JJ, doesn't make them mentally challenged...
j/k

Actually, I used to do JJJ and they had a program where they worked with a special school and were teaching some kids (and adults) with Down Syndrome, they loved it, and actually did quite well at it.