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Martial Arts and AS

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Has anyone on here read the communication article on martial arts and AS yet? How many people here participate in martial arts or have kids that do? I thoroughly enjoyed karate/judo/taekwondo when I did them and am contemplating starting up again when I go back to uni in a few weeks time (�1 a session who could turn that down!). I can type it up if there are people here that don't get it. :D

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I took Bill to Karate for a while thinking it would help his coordination, confidence and give him some much needed exercise. As far as enthusiasm was concerned he was fully on board. Unfortunately his inability to multi-task (which is quite a severe problem for him) went against him.... He didn't just give up...he really really tried but rather than bolster his confidence it began to erode it. He went twice a week for about 6 weeks before he stopped.

 

However, our experience shouldn't put anyone off trying because I do know that for some people it really is a fantastic help in lots of ways (fitness, coordination, confidence to name just a few).

 

Good luck SG. :thumbs:

 

Flora

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Although I studied the Jeet Kune Do for many years, I found that while I was merely OK at the physical side of the 'art', the spiritual and mental disciplines were far more useful to me - especially the lessons about focus, inner calm, mental strength, flexibility, and understanding how your opponent's 'rigid thinking' can be their undoing. It did also teach me about how to move 'economically' and far more gracefully than I was able to before - skills that are very useful when trying not to draw attention to yourself.

 

I don't know if Karate of Tae Kwon Do have that side to them - do they? :unsure:

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My lad did taekwodo forages-got 3/4 way thru the belts...he loved it but got to the stage were to get a belt he had to do sparring n that was it he quit.

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JP is taking his black belt in taekwondo in a couple of months time. It has helped him so much, particularly as Neil says the whole philosophy behind martial arts. He was horrified when the guy in the olympics kicked the ref in the face, couldnt believe anyone would go against the spirit of the discipline like that.

 

I'd really like to read the article SG, could you post a link please?

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I can't find it online but will attempt to type it here (if there are some incorrect spellings I apologise as my a key is being a bit funny, and tbh I'm a little tipsy at the moment :lol::cheers: )

 

David Style, a young man with Asperger syndrome, tells us how martial arts benefit him.

 

Kick Back

 

"I am writing to you to tell you about an activity I am doing that can benefit people with autism spectrum disorders. I have Asperger syndrome and I have discovered a lot of my needs have improved [since doing martial arts] and I think it could help other people with a similar condition. The activity is martial arts and I am currently doing Chinese kung fu and tai chi martial arts.

 

Autistic people and people with Asperger syndrome have many difficulties due to their condition and martial arts can help to improve some of them. One such problem is balance and co-ordination. The moves and techniques in martial arts have to be practised over and over until they become second nature and, for a person with autism or Asperger syndrome who likes repetitive things, this could be quite enjoyable.

 

Problems with confidence, finding courage, improving self-esteem and self-development are experienced by people with disabilities, and martial arts can help with all of these difficulties.

 

Martial arts help improve fitness levels, strength, self-defence - overall improved health contributes to people feeling better in themselves. Some aspects of my life have started to improve, especially through control and discipline. I have also seen improvements in my levels of stress, frustration and with my anger and temper control.

 

Martial arts require the student to work with a partner, encourages them to socialise and help train each other, with the martial arts instructor teaching and supervising them. Practising the techniques with a partner helps increase social skills and confidence.

 

Martial arts teach the student to have respect for themselves and other people and channel negativity into something positive. I think the benefits of martial arts are endless and can be taught to people of all ages and are suitable for boys, girls, ladies and men. No qualification or experience is needed."

 

Further information

 

David trains with the Nam Yang Martial Arts Association www.namyang.co.uk

 

The disability martial arts association www.disabilitymartialartsassociation.co.uk

 

The 2008 festival of martial arts for people with disabilities is being planned for November, although date is unconfirmed as of time of printing. For more information email Bob Billson at the Special Olympics GB on bob.billson@sog.org.uk

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my son did taekwando just before he turned 5 for a year he did it and got to green belt

i think it helped him loads and he loved the routine of it all

 

 

however i struggled getting himthere and back as it was klike 4 half hour slots a week and the whole undressing thing-produced loads meltdowns that i gave up....also cost was a bit high.but i was glad i perserved for length i did.....as im sure it helped his co-ordination...

 

but i may get him back into it again at another place.........hes since joined beavers....

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Awwww, thankyou hunny! >:D<<'>

I stand in awe of your tipsy typing - MUCH better than mine is sober :notworthy:

 

lol! your welcome. I have a good excuse for being tipsy too :lol: We had our leaving party this evening. Em has gone off to a nightclub now and I'm just chilling out at home. :thumbs:

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Big fan of Taekwondo, me and my boys have been training for about 5 months and we're thoroughly enjoying ourselves! It is a bit dear though, what with training fees, the license fees, doboks(uniforms) and shoes and all that, but the club we go to does a good package deal, lets you pay up and caps charges at �60- this is a godsend when there's three of you training!

Its helped Cal a great deal- his coordination will never be great, but I see an improvement there. Socially, he's having to interact with quite a large crowd and while there have been and will continue to be hiccups, I'm right proud of how he copes. It's funny, you know when he's having an off day because he goes all to pot during sessions....

 

Another boon is that the Chief Instructor also goes out to Cal's school and knows all about Cal's AS-as well as the varied needs of the other pupils so he is very understanding, and lets me drop out of training without having to ask permission if I can sense an imminent meltdown- (Mummy radar has been quite busy during the holidays as the lack of routine just aggravated Cal...)

This is a BIG ask, and many instructors would not allow this to happen, if they adhere strictly to the 'rules'....but we've been very fortunate!

 

The confidence thing, now.....it does really get to Cal that he can't seem to develop his skills as quickly as the other kids, or when he's got the moves, it still doesn't look as practised as the others.....but when he manages a new movement, he's seriously thrilled by it. And it helps that silly old Mum is in the same section as him, and keeps making silly mistakes (like whacking the instructor square in the unmentionables!!! :wub: I'll never live it down..LOL) Master Bailey also helps by shouting things like, 'Come on Cal, you're beating your Mum, keep going!!' which absolutely makes his day!

 

We don't go too heavily into the philosophy as yet, but as we're now green tags, I'm noticing a definite increase in our 'lessons' about it...and I think it's a great thing, all these kids seriously pondering away and such....

 

I don't think I'll ever be world champion, but it's a great way to exercise and I wish I'd done it years ago........

 

As for Cal, who knows? 2012 is looming, after all!!

 

(Actually, we're off to a TKD seminar tomorrow, Cal and I, with an olympic Master....I'm slightly nervous- hope I don't bruise his pear too!! :D )

 

Esther x

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