Teaching those with special needs

[DWx]

http://www.kidokwan.org/articles/teaching-special-needs-taekwon-domartial-arts/

Great article on teaching students that have some form of special needs; physical, mental or emotional.

Thoughts?

Anyone have their own experience to add?

[Nidan Melbourne]

I teach those with aspergers (my girlfriend has a mild form of it as well) and you do need to understand the techniques extremely well and also Kata you do have to show the movement correctly as well.

As they learn from the first time it will be difficult to change later on.

The way I found speaking to those with aspergers is that you just speak to them normally and definitely DO NOT treat them different. They will ask a lot of questions and want to learn everything you know.

But they are excellent students.

Just be aware they can throw temper tantrums if they don't get what they want. So I found that you just have to explain to them exactly why they aren't getting it straight away or at all.

[chrissyp]

I'm all for it! I worked at a mental health center, and I worked with kids with various diagnosis. They would benefit so much from martial arts, but it takes so much patience and understanding to work with them, but it's very rewarding!

And these kids need this kind of disipline and outlet.

[sensei8]

While my son, Nathan isn't involved in any MA, he's a special needs adult who can hoop with the best of them. Him being a special needs individual, it's opened my eyes for quite along time.

I've not many special needs students, but they're the apple of the dojo's eyes!!

Not all BB's can teach, and not all BB's can teach kids, and not all BB's can teach special needs kids/adults!!

Patience at all times!! Learn the diagnose before trying to teach. If it's not possible, then have a liaison on the floor, if necessary as a last resort. Give certain special needs students "discipline", you'll be in for a wake up call...fast!! My wife's a teacher at elementary school, and she can attest to that; she's the bruises!! PATIENCE; big criteria, imho.

[Harkon72]

I have a Dyslexic student; he defiantly isn't slow, he just learns differently. He's been bullied by his peers because of his apparent disability, but he walks tall from the Dojo now. I have the same condition myself.

[chrissyp]

ANYONE, who works with special needs children and adults, be in martial arts, daily life, ect, has my utmost respect.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Personally for me those with special needs that i teach or train with i get a lot from. They love to learn and are very focused.

My karate as matured and gotten better because of them. Because they show me a different way of thinking and doing!

[ninjanurse]

I have several students with along the Austism Spectrum and many with ADD/ADHD. I approach them as I do an other student-identify their learning style and expect no less of them than any other student in the school. Each student is unique and as such presents a new learning experience for me every day!

[sensei8]

I have several students with along the Austism Spectrum and many with ADD/ADHD. I approach them as I do an other student-identify their learning style and expect no less of them than any other student in the school. Each student is unique and as such presents a new learning experience for me every day!

Solid post!!