Martial Arts as therapy

[skullsplitter]

I wanted to share this article because it really hit home with me. My son has a very slight case of cerebral palsy and it was a therapist at a Shriners Hospital that first suggested we look into martial arts. That was 10 years ago and he's still going strong. There's always a debate about sport vs practical, or who should get a black belt, or what is a mcdojo, but for some people martial arts is just a way to get better and be involved with others and to give them some sense of "normalcy".

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/18/karate-powerful-therapy-disabled-kids/31905341/

[sensei8]

A very moving as well as uplifting article; gives hopes to those MA students that are disabled. I agree that the MA provides a powerful therapy across the board. Over the many years that I've been teaching, I've been fortunate enough to have taught Shindokan to many disabled children as well as adults. A smile will light up a room, it's those AHA moments that bring me back to the floor to teach, both the disabled as well as those who are not disabled.

Thank you, skullsplitter, for sharing the article!!

[Nidan Melbourne]

Thanks for sharing.

MA is great for people of all ages and physical ability. For those who are disabled due to some form of physical injury or birth defect (ie Multiple Sclerosis).

One day when I have my own dojo with my partner we are wanting to run specialised classes for those people. Have specific classes for those with Aspergers + Autism and then other ones for various other disabilities.

As she is training to be a Child Psychologist she has an understanding of the psychology of those children and adults and I understand the physiology

[wayneshin]

Thanks for sharing.

MA is great for people of all ages and physical ability. For those who are disabled due to some form of physical injury or birth defect (ie Multiple Sclerosis).

One day when I have my own dojo with my partner we are wanting to run specialised classes for those people. Have specific classes for those with Aspergers + Autism and then other ones for various other disabilities.

As she is training to be a Child Psychologist she has an understanding of the psychology of those children and adults and I understand the physiology

We started such a class this year. One of my Black belts is a Psycologist specialising in working with autism. She is assisted by another who is studying to be a Psycologist. The class has been an enormous success - she has a waiting list.

I conducted their first grading a couple of months ago and it was quite moving to see what these children can achieve when give the right support.

[cathal]

I've used some of my workouts as emotional outlets. This can be very therapeutic. Who hasn't worked a bag while angry, just to let off steam? It really helps.

As for the cardio and workout aspect, any kind of physical training really assists in elevating mood and improving sleep. These are therapeutic on their own already.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Thanks for sharing.

MA is great for people of all ages and physical ability. For those who are disabled due to some form of physical injury or birth defect (ie Multiple Sclerosis).

One day when I have my own dojo with my partner we are wanting to run specialised classes for those people. Have specific classes for those with Aspergers + Autism and then other ones for various other disabilities.

As she is training to be a Child Psychologist she has an understanding of the psychology of those children and adults and I understand the physiology

We started such a class this year. One of my Black belts is a Psycologist specialising in working with autism. She is assisted by another who is studying to be a Psycologist. The class has been an enormous success - she has a waiting list.

I conducted their first grading a couple of months ago and it was quite moving to see what these children can achieve when give the right support.

Thats awesome!

is the class dedicated to those just with Austism or is it open to those with Aspergers aswell (Going off the DSM-IV here, the DSM-V has it classified as Austism Spectrum Disorder).

I would love to see how those classes are organised and run.

It is a great thing to see how dojos run classes for those that would struggle with others. Because it is nice to see how they can feel a sense of belonging in a class so they can have fun and learn something + come out of their shells. Now that is truly special.

[wayneshin]

Thanks for sharing.

MA is great for people of all ages and physical ability. For those who are disabled due to some form of physical injury or birth defect (ie Multiple Sclerosis).

One day when I have my own dojo with my partner we are wanting to run specialised classes for those people. Have specific classes for those with Aspergers + Autism and then other ones for various other disabilities.

As she is training to be a Child Psychologist she has an understanding of the psychology of those children and adults and I understand the physiology

We started such a class this year. One of my Black belts is a Psycologist specialising in working with autism. She is assisted by another who is studying to be a Psycologist. The class has been an enormous success - she has a waiting list.

I conducted their first grading a couple of months ago and it was quite moving to see what these children can achieve when give the right support.

Thats awesome!

is the class dedicated to those just with Austism or is it open to those with Aspergers aswell (Going off the DSM-IV here, the DSM-V has it classified as Austism Spectrum Disorder).

I would love to see how those classes are organised and run.

It is a great thing to see how dojos run classes for those that would struggle with others. Because it is nice to see how they can feel a sense of belonging in a class so they can have fun and learn something + come out of their shells. Now that is truly special.

The class is defined as "Additional Needs". My Instructor specialises in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Behavoural Disorders and Learning Difficulties. As I understand it Aspergers fits within the umbrella of ASD.

[Nidan Melbourne]

Yes it does fall under the scope of ASD now since the newest DSM (Diagnostics and Statistics Manual) came out.

Do some of your instructors that aren't trained in psychology still come and help out or is just the ones that are trained in psychology run it?

[SaiFightsMS]

For many martial arts is part of their way of a balanced life looking at it from the point of mind, body and spirit. It doesn't always start that way but the longer one continues the practice the more is absorbed. In many ways the practice of martial arts is about doing your best with what you have to work with and it doesn't hurt that along the way our training can increase what we have to work with. Hope that made sense.

[wayneshin]

Yes it does fall under the scope of ASD now since the newest DSM (Diagnostics and Statistics Manual) came out.

Do some of your instructors that aren't trained in psychology still come and help out or is just the ones that are trained in psychology run it?

We try to avoid getting other faces in there as these kids like routine. For example the Instructor always writes to schedule of the class on a whiteboard so the kids know what is next. She also has two sons who are both Jnr Black Belts. They both help out and the class is capped to keep it manageable.