He Blends!
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| Tue, 03-28-2006 - 10:57am |
Ok I couldn't resist. Another boy has taken to Mike at Karate. Last night the boys mom asked if Mike could come over sometime. I don't feel it fair to Mike or the other family to send him somewhere without full knowledge of Mike so I gave her one of my AS cards.
She said she never would have guessed he was any different!!!!!
That is like never heard for him anymore. Cait yes, but Mike, nope. Shows how well he is able to maintain in Karate for now. He had a harder time in his white belt class but really is working hard on listening and doing the right things since moving up. He is now a 3rd degree yellow belt.
Say a prayer for him though. Last night started the new session and a BUNCH of kids moved up to the yellow belt class doubling the number of students at least. There had to be over 30 kids in the class last night. Mike has a very hard time in larger groups. I hope he can hold it together this time but this could be yet another recipe for disaster.
Oh and a HELLO!!!! To that friends mom. She had some questions about AS so I am sending her the link here. So HI!!! if she stops by.
Renee


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Dear Renee,
That's great news! Cool about the other kid and mom. It could be nice for Mike to get to know a kid who won't be around during the times he has to also be dealing with the stresses of school...
As to being in the larger group, we actually try not to have Malcolm attend at the times when there are that many students, just because it is harder for him to hold it together, although he has done it. But there are a few time slots where the green stripe/yellow belt class tends to be smaller, not as popular of times, and we try to go then. Another thing is, when there is a new skill to be worked on, we often hire his sensei to do a private with him, if possible right before the bigger class, so he is feeling very self-confident and on his game.
These days Malcolm is on a little mini-2 or 3 week break from Tae Kwondo, his request while still experiencing some stress and exhaustion from change of new school. He has had a few run-ins with the sensei lately where he wasn't up to the extra pushups, or letting another student be named head student for the day, things he has been OK with before... He and sensei had a chat and he was asked if he no longer was enjoying Tae Kwondo. He said he would like a short break, that that might help him do better and so we all agreed to give it to him!
If you can help him through next few months, kids start dropping out pretty soon. The next few belts up the groups start getting smaller and smaller as kids get into other things... And summer is always slower with kids in summer camps, etc, great time for belt progress!
yours,
Sara
That's great, Renee. Sending prayers he does ok with the bigger group.
What are those AS cards your talking about? Did you buy them or make them? I've seen ones that say "my child has autism". Is it the same thing?
Samantha
so great for Mike!!!
Let us know how the new class goes.....you'll be in my thoughts.
Chrystee
how awesome for Mike.....keeping fingers crossed on the larger class size.....hope he does well.
Christie
We just started him a few months ago this time. Probably 6 months ago now or so. I tried when he was 4 and again about 2 years ago and both didn't work out. He loves the idea and wants to do karate but at 4 he just completely freaked at the idea of any class because he didn't understand and 2 years ago he did well for 6 months until the class size increased and his instructor became less understanding.
Cait was in for for 18 months when she was 6 and it helped her motor skills. I think it is great for ASD kids as far as being an individual sport and working on motor skills, however, there are some down sides too. there is alot of verbal instruction and some instructors can be very rigid on rules and a bit scary. This can backfire with some of our kids. Our current Sensei is understanding because his wife is disabled. I have heard of martial arts specifically for kids with autism and I wish there was one close. It would be awesome.
Renee
Unfortunately there isn't other opportunities for him to go to a different class. At least not one that is smaller. This is offered through the town and there is only one yellow belt and above class per week. They have the white belt class and then everyone else. At best I can hope that they will add another time slot if all those kids stick with the class.
You pay for the class in sessions so most kids finish out the session which is 12 weeks. It will be a huge miracle and accomplishment if he can make it the 12 weeks. But like I said in my last post, he hasn't been successful at other martial arts programs so I don't think switching is the answer either.
Renee
I give you a link, lol. Sorry, I can't believe I didn't mention them here.
An Aspergers board with lots of adults on it came up with it. It is downloadable and you can print your own. I help moderate so the administrator of the site sent me my own box. I have given about half out to professionals and such and have my own stash I keep in my purse for just such occasions. It is a quick info on AS which fits Mike well. Not so much Cait, but I find it helpful for him.
http://www.aspergerinfo.com/ascard.htm
There is also a link there to download the PDF that you can print and make cards.
Renee
Thanks for the link/card.. I like it.. it's short, to the point, with some important info. about Aspergers's.
Most of all... Good luck to Mike in his class and with the new friend!
zWe tried the karate thing and it didn't really work out for Ryan. Like you said, the sensei was a little too rigid, and ds couldn't keep up with the movements. It was dh's thing, he took Ryan to class because it was before I got home from work. I kind of think he (dh) gave up too soon, but it was a battle I didn't want to fight. I might try again when Ryan is a little older.
Kate