Special Needs
Alison Finn, who has many
years experience of coaching children with Disabilities (learning
& physical) in many different sports activities is our Special
Needs specialist. Alison is Inclusion development officer for Wesport
(West of England Sport Trust www.wesport.org.uk), she has attended
many coaching courses in several sports and is a qualified first
aider. She is also a Disability Sport tutor & has been working
with children in one form or another for 10 years. Alison is a 1st
Kyu. Wherever possible children will be integrated into the main
classes but Alison can run a separate session for players who are
deemed to require it.
Due to the success of our inclusion policy we have no reason now
to offer a seperate session but are very keen that we can offer it to as many
children who require it. Come along and have a go, playing Judo will not make
your needs go away, but may help you overcome some of the hurdles that modern
day life brings to bear, as confidence and co-ordination has been know to improve.
"My child started Judo when he was four years old, diagnosed
with a speech and language disorder. Along with this disorder came
many differing issues such as co-ordination difficulties, gross
and fine motor skill issues, lack of confidence and lack of social
skills. He has since been labelled with Developmental Co-ordination
Disorder and Developmental Aspergers. Now I'm not saying that Judo
has improved him no end but was the initial kickstart to a program
that has seen him improve to the point when people quite readily
comment "I can't see anything wrong with him" He now does Swimming
lessons, Mini Rugby at North Bristol RFC, Tennis at Stoke Gifford
Tennis Club, is mad keen on any sport and enjoys the socialisation
at Cubs. This and the constant work put in by his Parents has really
brought him on, but I believe that the initial input from Judo was
the catalyst. I guess you could say that it would be the same with
any sport but how many clubs offer real opportunities for people
with Special Needs?
Our child also attended the DDAT
centre where they believe that learning difficulties and their
associated problems are due to an inactive cerebelum. The cerebelum
passes messages to the main thinking part of the brain called the
cortex and they believe that pathways between the two haven't developed
properly. This is by no means an advertisement for their exercise
programe whereby they state that carrying it out twice a day will
stimulate the pathways between the cerebelum and cortex but if correct
it reinforces my belief that Judo is a great instrument to get started
on a fuller life. I am confident that the exercises and stimulation
provided by Judo must start this process but in a less scientific
manner."
Of course "Special Needs" is a bit of a misnomer as we are here
to provide Sport for all not just people with learning difficulties.
See also:
Resources:
|
