Teaching Special Needs Students

[Tiger1962]

Question for instructors:

From time to time I hear about martial arts instructors who teach autistic / ADD / special needs / handicap, etc., kids in their school & even have designated classes for these kids. While this is really an admirable and fantastic challenge for them take on, at the same time I've always wondered, don't you need training in this field before doing so (doesn't matter that its martial arts their teaching) or even be licensed in this area?

If I had a child with autism, for example, and I enrolled them in martial arts training, I'd want their instructor to have an education and working experience in this area so they know how to handle my child & how to educate the other students who are in the class with them.

But what is the general law / rule, etc., on this for martial arts teachers ?

Edited July 28, 2008 by Tiger1962

[bushido_man96]

I don't believe there is a law regarding it. Schools may have such a requirment, but other professions may not. That is why you see MA instructors doing so.

[G95champ]

Just be really up front with the parents be careful because many times they have weak bones or can't control their balance or power.

In general I think the cordination and exercise for them is more a goal than belts obviously.

As far as Rank I don't know obviously you can't hold them to the same standard but at the same time you want to see them progress. Maybue use a belt system that your club does not have such as Belts with Stripes or other colors.

[G95champ]

Let me add I also think you would prob. need to seperate them just so you did not hold other students back. Keep them in the beginner class and or their own class.

Sure their are times to bring them in but in general I think the more one on one you can give them the better it is for them and at the same time the less disrupton you have in the main class.

[tori]

We have special needs children in our regular classes. We do not have any special requirements for them, we just encourage them to do the best they can, as we do with anyone who begins Martial Arts. Because of such great success we have had with our ADD, ADHD, and even downs syndrome children, we have many parents seeking to put their child in our program. The kids do better when they are around children of all types. To actually single out special needs children and put them in their own class is doing what they already are having done to them everyday. They want to be just like other kids, and thats how they are treated in our school.

[G95champ]

I would not consider ADD and ADHS really Special Needs.

I was thinking more along the lines of Downs or some mild form of mental handicap or disability such as being in a wheel chair etc.

Being a High School teacher and please don't take this wrong I think you hurt both them and the general students but putting them in the same class. Espcially in school. I am a HUGE fan of skill grouping in school. However many are not because of hurting somone's feelings.

[Tiger1962]

Thank you very much for your feedback and replies but I was curious if there was a mandatory certification you need in order to teach karate to these kids, not *how* to teach them. Bushidoman answered me - thank you all !

[IcemanSK]

I have a friend (sister school) that has a school built on teaching kids with special needs (physical, mental, emotional). He has training to do it. But most is on the job training. Attitude & willingness to adapt to each student is a key ingredient in teaching special needs students.

If you want more info, let me know.

[tori]

We do have an adult student who is downs syndrome. It has been excellent for her. She is in our regular program and has been able to learn and retain information. Yes, it takes her a little longer to achieve rank, but we do not treat her different. Her family and doctors have been very excited about the improvement in her attitude and health since being in Martial Arts.