Patterning in martial arts may help reduce stereotypic activity in autism.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (link is external) refers to those who have difficulties with social interactions and communications. Across people there can be a huge variability in presentation of so-called “symptoms,” hence the use of “spectrum” in the overall term.
I’m not a big fan of labeling, so now that I’ve got this out of the way, for the rest of this post we’ll just talk about the “autism spectrum” and not “people with,” those “disabled” by, etc. It is what it is and lots of people do very well and have great lives. I don’t want to diminish them by using even accidentally pejorative language. Instead I want the focus on the potential everyone has.
With a bloodcurdling cry, your 6-year-old leaps into the air in a karate kick, raising your hair and blood pressure simultaneously. Before you panic and pad the walls, try channeling this urge into a martial arts class. Activities like tae kwon do, kung fu and aikido are a fun way for both boys and girls […]
