What activities.clubs do you asd kids go to?

[forbsay]

Hi

 

Just wonder what sort of activities your asd kids do when they are not at school. At the moment, my son goes to an afterschool club twice a week (he has 1-2-1 support). However, I am just wondering what sort of other things are out there for him to do?

 

Thanks

 

Forbsay

[krystaltps]

C doesn't go to anything. It's not that we haven't tried though. Any clubs that he went to pre-dx, he was either banned from or asked to leave. This has kind of put him off, I think. We've tried a few since, usually ones that his siblings go to, but he just can't cope with the social aspect... a day at school is enough, by the time that's finished he just wants to let rip of his pent up emotions then crawl back into his shell.

He does want to join the local Warhammer club when he's 10 though. It's a kind of dungeons and dragons role-play thing and has a few ASD members. An older child he knows with AS goes to it, and C is counting away the months until he is 10 (only 23 to go ). I just hope when he does get there, he is able to cope, but then with such a high proportion of ASD members he'll probably fit in just right.

[KarenT]

J has a mainstream swimming class but he's cr*p at it. He can swim beautifully but can't handle the social aspects of the lessons - tends to hang on the ropes or side of the pool, even though he swims like a fish when he's with me and I can give him 1-1. I think he finds it hard to coordinate everything - the stroke, breathing, social contact with other children, instructions from the coach, eye signals from me to motivate him or help him stay in control when he's on the verge of losing it. I've no doubt there will be sensory aspects too.

 

He also goes to karate 2-3 times a week which is much more successful, but I had to search long and hard to find the right place. The instructors are excellent, fully accept J's difficulties and work positively with him as much as they can to keep him included. I can email them if there's a problem and they sort it straight away. At my suggestion they give J proactive time-outs when they can see him getting silly, because now they know that being silly is his way of showing he's under pressure and needs a break. I can't praise them enough for the help they've given J (who, incidentally, passed his second grading yesterday and is now 9th Kyu )

 

I've also tried J at football training but he just couldn't cope with it at all - all those boisterous, coordinated boys who instinctively knew what to do, the rough play and - yes - bullying that goes on. The over-enthusiastic coaches, winding the kids up to a frenzy thinking it would motivate their competitive instincts - instead it just sent J batty and he spent the whole time hanging off the goalposts. Even later, at a different club with a more SEN-friendly coach, J couldn't cope with the social aspects. We've given up on footie now!

 

J really enjoys horse riding but again, I've had to arrange semi-private lessons so that he doesn't have to tolerate the social aspects. I ride with him and there's only us and the instructor, so it's very relaxed. Even so, he still has difficulties sometimes if he feels under pressure, or if, like last time, it was too windy for him to concentrate. So many factors to consider!

 

I've considered other activities but know he wouldn't cope. I'm looking into guitar lessons soon, but tbh that's more of an attempt to find more stress-relieving strategies for him than for developing another skill.

 

karen

x

[allsetuk]

they have a local mini martial arts class for 4-7 mostly fun not too serious here, but sadly my son spent the entire time running around or hiding under a chair so he is seen as disruptive and the other mums frown at me..when 9 little ones are sitting nicely and mine is climbing or hiding...it makes is akward- he only joins in for the competitive stuff when he thought he could beat every one or get major attention from the master. I dont know wether its detrimental to keep him in but he says he enjoys it

[MelowMeldrew]

Mine doesn't attend any either. Not that there is much except some SS-run 'sport' thing (football !), with mixed disabilities children going, who just seemed to mill around, a number in wheelchairs, not doing a lot, and no way are they 'peers' are they ? Sports things are usually based on 'team' ideals, which is anti-most aspies idea of a good time as most of us know, they prefer singular activities. I suggested trampolining because he likes that, but we went to one centre that did it, and he had to wait his turn which wasn't on as far as he was concerned and after 15 minutes we had to leave, he wasn't going to wait for a turn, he went there thinking he would be on his own..... Perhaps long distance running ! It's all about 'inclusion' isn't it ? and aspies don't WANT to be included... you can lead a horse to water etc... one-on-one seems the only real approach...

[oxgirl]

My lad goes to absolutely nothing. There is nothing for his age group that isn't sport related in our area, absolutely nothing.

It's easier when they are younger, there seems to be more for five to ten age group, but once they are older there are less and less things available.

 

~ Mel ~

[Katiebell]

T.goes to swimming lessons mainly because unlike my other two children he just wasn't going to learn to swim with me. As other children around him have improved and moved up groups, T. is now learning with the 4 year olds (he is 8) this doesn't seem to bother him yet. His main problem is listening to the instructor, he is either too busy stimming in the water or he misundrstands her encouragement as being reprimanded which results in a huff and refusal to swim any more.

 

T. also does cubs and judo. I have yet to see how his behaviour is at cubs as he has only just started but I am already dreading cub camp.

 

Judo is ok until it comes to finding a partner or loosing a fight, but the instructors are very good they seem quite clued up on dissabilities and manage to defuse situations really well. One of the instrucors told me that judo is the only martial art this is regulated by a central body, The British Judo Association, and as such alot of the instructors recieve training in special needs such as dyspraxia.

 

Although T. would rather stay at home on his own and he doesn't always enjoy every aspect his activities, I do feel that it is good experience for him of the big wide world.

[curra]

My son goes to nothing too. The reason is that he doesn't want to go and he expects me to understand him and respect his decision. He tried scouts, swimming, horse riding, fencing, youth club, afterschool club, childminder, Aspie club, and other things until he was 12, but he never enjoyed the social aspect. I still don't give up and hope that there's somewhere a group that he will like.

 

Curra

[zaman]

My boy goes to an after school club five evenings a week (I work full time), and seems to get on fine there.

 

I take them both to Woodcraft Folk (a progressive alternative to scouts, etc), and really enjoys it. I stay and help out, and have to say that some of the kids there have really challenging behaviour, and he looks postiviely angelic in comparison! He has swimming lessons on Saturdays, which he has really come along at, there are only 6 at most in the class and the teacher has the patience of a saint (the classes he went to before however were rubbish, as the teacher couldn't get and keep his attention) .

 

I did look into martial arts, but frankly I feel like I spend my weekends as taxi mum as it is!

[CarerQuie]

Rh goes to an after school club at his special school once a week and a special needs sports club once a week.He also goes to some special needs adventure play sessions; these are roughly once weeek but variable.xx

[JsMum]

J was doing a few activities but they finished due to array of reasons.

 

swimming : achieved level 3 and 4 swimming skills but struggled on level 5 where he just couldnt achieve it and so lost the motivation and left the course half way throw. �34 it cost for 10 lessons.

 

drama class : had major difficulties imagining situations, wasnt part of the group, very distracted, acted as though he was not listening, couldnt interact or socialise like his peers and left again half way throw.

 

tykwondo : enjoyed this the most and loved the interaction with elder competers, he was given extra support for secquence moves and achieved two coloured belts, he was very mobile and stretchy and adored the rigerous beasting that followed if rules where broken, (beasting is a physical excersise for punishment) most kids avoided breaking rules but J loved the reactions and then lavished the beasting!!!

he enjoyed the formal structure and it had a certain structure to the lesson, we left due to moving and no where close by to restart the lessons and also very costly.

 

rock climbing : a very competent climber, dare devel enthusiasm and been light and atheletic he was the first to be to the top, however disaplin was hard to give to J as he wasnt able to see or hear comands and he wouldnt do as he was told, under health and safety we where told he may be asked to leave and J become tired of the constant telling off and now no longer attends.

 

football : he didnt listen or follow the instructions of the game, he was very ruff with smaller children going for the ball and bulldosing them down to the floor which resulted in parents complaining, which I didnt have a problem with but he was so unable to cope with loosing or sharing the ball that his temper was very extreame.

 

J had real difficulties with interacting and socialising and often was in a corner or somewhere that isolated himself and preferred to do his own thing with the ball, he was struggling with learning and understanding of the game and real difficulties with the ball skills.

 

he left half way through a thrid attempt course, the coach was very understanding as he has children on the spectrum and said it would be difficult to place J in a team.

 

Now he just kicks his ball with his carer or myself in the park and is happy doing that.

 

kick-boxing : was very body contact and disaplined couldnt cope with it and left after two lessons.

 

cubs : dislikes the clothing he had to wear, when hot he wasnt allowed to take off his jumper, he was told off for minor misbehaviour and was very volitile in games that could mean he may loose.

didnt like the staff as they picked on him and left after three weeks.

 

we tried another club and this was very small intake, three other boys and himself, the staff ratio was almost 1-1 and the games where opetated with a fair share wins and losts, the activities where basic instructions and he coped very well, and the staff did like J and thought he was funny, and had lots of energy, they couldnt tire him out, the staff where panting first, this group worked well until we moved area and he did try and reintigrate but the hall was a hut and was very echoie and the group leader shouted excessivly and J didnt go again.

 

Gymnastics : his love and admiration, he adored gymnastics and enjoyed the apperatus, sadly the staff didnt really take a liking to J and was often too confrontational with him that just made him worse, he would break health and safety rules whilst in a line waiting for his go, he had difficulties remembering the sequence and the staff lost patience with him that made J reluctant to want to try.

 

he had a 1-1 helper from an inclusion project to ensure he was behaving safelty taking in instructions and he even won second place in a Gymnastic competition and that really boosted his self esteem, then on one lesson J was really hyperactive and disobaying the staff and one member of the gymnastics staff lost her patience and reacted physically with him and has never returned since.

 

I think this put him off all his other activities as he has become to realise that his behaviour can make some adults retaliate and so he is now weary and unwilling as he doesnt trust anyone anymore.

 

J doesnt do anything now, not a think, he has worker that now helps him build up his trust in people and we are looking into Judo and rugby but again he is very scared and doesnt want to be labeld naughty.

 

For chidren with special needs it can be a very different experience because there is so much they are going to struggle with, interaction, communication, listening, following instructions, and Trust.

 

J has a lot of energy and needs activities but it just is so difficult for him we even looked at after school clubs but with the lack of supervision and Js behaviour likely to need constant attention it would be very difficult for the club leaders to ensure the safety of J and other children so he doesnt attend.

 

I take J swimming in a private health centre, he adores this, but again the staff have already picked up on his behaviour and threatening to ban him for not listening to the rules.

 

We cycle everywhrere together and we play tig in the garden,park, ect.. and play on the park equiptment where J has just me and him, Ive tried meeting up with friends but the interaction J just cant cope and so its just easier taking him on my own, now we have Tj he is walking twice a day too and runs off and is in his world for an hour and he seems happy with this for now, but I have tried with activities and for some children there is just so much to consider and understand how much the difficulties are going to be.

 

JsMum

Edited February 11, 2007 by JsMum

[forbsay]

Thank you so much for your replies. My mum has found another music class that is specifically for special needs kids - though i am going to find out all about it before i give the green light for him to you!

[loulou]

Hi,

 

Kai has tried a few clubs before and swimming lessons, but he can't cope with the social aspects either. Also, the other kids were horrible to him so we don't bother anymore.

 

Thankfully his special school are fantastic at trying to get him to engage in activities, they know when not to push him. Last week he actually joined in a game of Cricket and even cheered on his team . Amazing!

 

Loulou xx

[palgem]

hi

nothing our son is totally isolated and is frowned upon by most other parentsin our area and the other kids see him as an easy target to bully and hes got happy on his own so we don,t push him either way

bye for now paul

[minerva]

I tried everything with Cameron when he was younger,

 

Jazz Dancing (thrown out - LMAO what was I thinking?)

 

Kick boxing (thrown out - who can get kicked out for being too violent? well he managed!)

 

Kung fu (thrown out - zero concentration)

 

Fit Kids (thrown out - got bored far to easily)

 

Scouts (thrown out)

 

There was probably more,

 

Drama however Cameron has successfully gone to for 3 years this year and loves it! He's had his off days but the teachers are very helpful and understanding. The whole idea behind drama is to boost confidence which is great!

 

I think he loves it so much cos he can be quirky and wierd and people think he's in character LOL

 

Nicke

[Canopus]

I attended several clubs and activities as a kid.

 

Summer activities. I had difficulty interacting and relating to other kids, and was unco-ordinated in most of the physical activities. The organisers said I was annoying and difficult. Many kids called me a weirdo.

 

Martial arts. I was going to take up martial arts until I found out that some of the kids who bullied me happened to attend.

 

Swimming. Not too bad at the swimming itself but had difficulty with the social aspects and following the instructor.

 

NAGC outings and events. Usually successful although I sometimes said embarassing or offensive things.

 

Video production club. Joined this because it was the only club that was technical and not sport related. It was cancelled due to some personal problems with the organiser.

 

Computer club. This was a success story but involved travelling a long distance.

[taggie]

Hi,

We've tried various things with our son, but none of them have been successful in the long term. He attended Beavers with his cousin for a while but wouldn't mix with the other kids and found the boisterous atmosphere stressful. Football training was an absolute disaster, he was completely unable to follow the rules, and had a meltdown everytime another child bumped into him or the ball hit him. We tried swimming lessons for a year but he made very little progress because he can't tolerate water in his face. He does enjoy the local baths though, if it's quiet, although he does get some funny looks as he still wears armbands at nearly ten.

I used to feel terribly guilty at his lack of a social life, but have learned to accept him as he is. He's happiest at home with his computer and playstation which are his major obsessions and greatest source of enjoyment.

Taggie xx

[Mother in Need]

No clubs at all, ever, there is no support available in this area, he just seems to want to stay with me and me only, even though it is hard work to stop him from being bored all the time, he cannot cope without extra support. Did try horseriding last year (with me beside him), but he was so difficult part of the time that is became simply silly at �10 half hour + hour's fuel, as he wasn't even riding for that time.

[JsMum]

No clubs at all, ever, there is no support available in this area, he just seems to want to stay with me and me only, even though it is hard work to stop him from being bored all the time, he cannot cope without extra support. Did try horseriding last year (with me beside him), but he was so difficult part of the time that is became simply silly at �10 half hour + hour's fuel, as he wasn't even riding for that time.

 

The riding for the disabled may have a local group, they are free with helpers.

 

have a look on their website, google in riding for the disabled uk

 

our areas riding for the disabled is having refurbishments but hope to open in the spring, J is a very good horse rider and we are regulars in summer on our camping and youth hostel stays.

 

Just a thought for you.

 

JsMum

[col]

Swimming - until somwthing happened and dd9 developed a fear of it.

Horse riding - until hubby lost his job and it got too expensive.

Gymnastics- have been going for over 3 years now.

Karate- started in september, doing well, although the partner work gets to me as some of the other children i just want to �$%$^ as they are really negative towards her.

 

Hopefully if both of them pass the next grading will be in an older class. And i hope these children are more respectful. She has worked with a couple of them as they help out in the younger classes.

[bikergal]

Dd1 (13) did go to guides but although she enjoyed the physical activities there was little social benefit for her and it just became another hellish battle.

 

She does go to horse riding with riding for the disabled and she really loves this, it's a lot cheaper than normal lessons though more able kids might get frustrated. I have to say they are really good with her and try their best to stimulate her as she is one of the more able ones. She also has the opportunity to compete with other riding for the disabled groups and win rosettes, and certificates.

[Karen A]

Hi After having a go at numerous things Ben now does Taekwondo[instructer understands him and provides extra help if needed],junior church based youth club [extra support from another experienced adult],swimming with family.Having adults in groups that are aware of Ben's needs but also have a good relationship with him is more important than what the activity is.Karen.

[Elanor]

Mine goes to Scouts - it's fantastic, particularly as the leader has a boy with AS and several other AS kids from our local group go there too. It's a really successful and large local group - they do lots of camping, encourage independence and have a clear discipline and ethos of helping each other. Main attraction for my son, is that they make fires all the time!

 

Elanor

[jb1964]

We've tried most of it.

 

My daughters been to swimming clubs, brownies, tang-su-do (not sure how it's spelt - but some form of karate thingy), various youth and church clubs, choirs etc, bought all the outfits etc and the most they ever lasted was around 5 weeks - there was always something that got her anxious or upset her and that would be the end of it.

 

She's 13 now and does absolutely nothing night in night out.

 

Good luck and enjoy anything while it lasts.

Take care,

Jb