Jiu jitsu for kids with disabilities??? - Page 3

itslaura2u · 11-03-2009, 09:30 PM

About 4 years ago my son, a purple belt now, started jiu-jitsu. He had/has pretty severe ADHD, so much so that he got kicked out of three different elementary schools before he was in 2nd grade! It was BAD. He went to a special school for kids with ADHD all through elementary school and then went to public school for 6th through 12th grade, struggling through a lot of it. No self-esteem, not many friends, getting in trouble for not paying attention or goofing off, etc. At age 15-1/2 he had decided to try jiu-jitsu and now he just turned 20 and trains all the time and competes in lots of tournaments. It has been the best thing that ever happened to him. He has lots of friends, self esteem, and has found something that he is good at. He has stayed out of trouble and his grades improved too. Now, he helps teach the kids class, and we have a few kids that have ADHD and some with Asperger's. Jiu-Jitsu has worked miracles on them too. I don't know what it is about jiu-jitsu, but all the kids that have had special needs, including my son, have excelled. You would never know which ones had ADHD or Asperger's if you had to pick them out of the class. And it has has actually helped my son to teach these kinds of kids because he knows how to deal with them now that he is older and uses many of the same behavorial things on them as we did on him when he was a child. I love when parents call and ask about the academy and then say they have a kid with ADHD or Aspergers and they don't know if they will be able to do it. I tell them about my son and the other kids here and how much it has helped them, and each person has been so happy they signed their child up because they see the difference it makes in their lives. Sorry so long. I am very passionate about this subject.

Tony Manifold · 11-03-2009, 11:36 PM

I love this thread. My son has been diagnosed with Corneal De Lange syndrome. He is on the extreme high end of it so it mostly manifests like autism. One of the things a ot of kids with autism spectrum disorder and similar syndromes have a problem with his physical stimulation. They require a lot of it to feel "normal". I love wrestling around with him and I really hope to get him into BJJ or something when gets old enough. This thread has given me hope that it is possible. I would love to hear more "games" people who have trained kids with problems like this use, so I can use them with my son.

itslaura2u · 11-04-2009, 01:29 AM

It is the weirdest thing, but we don't do anything different with these kids. The kid we have with Asperger's is so completely different than he was when he started. His dad swears by jiu-jitsu and is the first person (besides me) to tell a newcomer with the same problem how it has helped his kid. Seriously, you would never know. I wish I knew what it was that jiu-jitsu does to make them "better." Some ADHD kids hate being touched, and it bugs the crap out of them if they are sitting by someone who keeps rubbing against them, but jiu-jitsu and the closeness of the other person does not bother them at all. I know sometimes the little kids go to occupational therapy and they are rolled up in a blanket or something (kind of like a baby being swaddled) and it totally calms them down. Maybe having someone all over you like people often are in jiu-jitsu gives the same feeling? I really wish I knew. I'd write a book!!!!

Fedorzilla · 11-04-2009, 01:31 AM

This really is a touching thread. Best of luck and you guys are all awesome for helping these kids out. Keep it up.

Dark_Phoenix · 11-04-2009, 01:58 AM

Training an Autistic kid would be so hard. My ex had an autistic brother and it was impossible to get him to concentrate on anything. But i suppose if you got them to enjoy it theyd probably become prodigys.

Good luck dude, hope it all works out well.

Cash Bill 52 · 11-06-2009, 06:58 PM

update...

My semi private was very successful. This kid has "gross motor" issues. He loses his balance easily, has a hard time standing up, couldn't shrimp, and had a host of other problems. However, he had the best time. We were doing barrel rolls, falling from the knees, modified soldier crawls, and other movements.

I showed him some basic positions, arm bar, and RNC. Then we did a little rolling. We were laughing. I looked over at his parents and they were almost in tears they were so happy.

Then, we watched the kids class together. This kid is so excited. I think he will pursue it further.

He watched the "Bully Beatdown" on TV. i told him my teammate is fighting the host of the show this weekend. So, I think I am making an impact in more ways than one.

Thanks for all the replies. Your stories are very inspiring.

DonkeyKong · 11-06-2009, 07:56 PM

Good to hear that the lesson was a success. I find this story inspiring, and I admire you for what you've done.

Good luck in the future.

TiKD · 11-06-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cash Bill 52

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.

Severe ADHD? That's not a mental disability. It's called a kid's brain overacting and producing too much Seritonin(sp?)

Balto · 11-06-2009, 11:25 PM

He's obviously trolling. Just let it go.

Born_To_Die · 11-07-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cash Bill 52

update...

My semi private was very successful. This kid has "gross motor" issues. He loses his balance easily, has a hard time standing up, couldn't shrimp, and had a host of other problems. However, he had the best time. We were doing barrel rolls, falling from the knees, modified soldier crawls, and other movements.

I showed him some basic positions, arm bar, and RNC. Then we did a little rolling. We were laughing. I looked over at his parents and they were almost in tears they were so happy.

Then, we watched the kids class together. This kid is so excited. I think he will pursue it further.

He watched the "Bully Beatdown" on TV. i told him my teammate is fighting the host of the show this weekend. So, I think I am making an impact in more ways than one.

Thanks for all the replies. Your stories are very inspiring.

You are the fucking man.