Here's why Aikido is a great activity for kids on the autism spectrum!
Organized sports can be challenging for kids with autism, but that doesn't mean they should shy away from them. As a parent, it is important to help your child choose sports that they are likely to enjoy and excel at and that's where Aikido comes in. Aikido offers a unique opportunity for children on the autism spectrum. Aikido involves structured work with a single partner. Aikido also combines the elements of predictability and structure with the challenges of physical interaction with other people. For many kids with autism, the martial arts are a wonderful way to build physical skills along with boosting their self-esteem.
Children on the autism spectrum see themselves as individuals, by placing the child in a situation where he/she only deals with one partner, odds of success increase. The child’s attention is focused only on one task.
Here are a number of ways that Aikido and Autism can have a positive relationship for children and their families.
- Motor coordination. Many autistic spectrum kids may have a deficit in motor coordination. Autistic children may have trouble catching and throwing a ball, and following directions related to movement. Since Aikido develops whole body integration, eye-hand coordination is not an issue.
- Social interaction. There is interaction between the teacher and student, as well as plenty of interaction with other classmates. Many drills and activities require a partner and/or cooperation with other students.
- Physical. The autism spectrum contains a lot of repetitive behaviors, as does Aikido. Many techniques must be performed many, many times, in order to achieve fluency and mastery. Stereotypy is the measure of how frequently someone in the autism spectrum exhibits repetitive motions, which can be a detriment to them. A study by the University of Isfahan showed that students who learned karate kata, or patterns, which requires a large amount of repetition, exhibit a large and significant reduction in stereotypy after one month of training.
With the cooperation of aikido instructors and parents, practicing aikido offers an excellent opportunity for children on the autism sprecturm to address issues that are challenging. By choosing aikido practice, autistic children may find creative ways to develop social skills and integrate sensory input, while becoming successful in physical activity.
Emerald City Aikido opened 26 years ago, and has been privileged to interact with many parents who have decided that aikido is the right fit. Is aikido the right fit for your autistic spectrum child? Try a free class to find out! We look forward to meeting you and your children.