I’m new here but have known about Bullshido for a very long time and have previously studied Shotokan and Wushu when I was younger but not proficient in either.
Anyway, I have an autistic 7 year old son who I want him to learn to defend himself for later on in life and to socialise and have discipline. What first martial art would everyone recommend? Though he is autistic he takes instruction very well but is extremely shy and it takes him a while to work up the confidence to do something.
He had previously started aikido with his grandad (he was a stunt man and bodyguard for the Saudi embassy) but he is too old to teach him that now.
Seven years old and has autism. Are you sure you want to teach him how to utilize violence? I mean, maybe start with something like a team sport like soccer or baseball before going down the rocky road of martial arts.
Boxing, muay thai, BJJ if you want him to learn how to fight in a strategic and intelligent way. All of these have dangers because they are real physical and control is a huge issue that could lead him to being hurt or hurting someone else.
Tai Chi and yoga if you want him to learn healthy exercises that won’t put him in harm’s way or encourage him to resort to violence unnecessarily.
My heart goes out to you either way. My brothers’ sons all have autism. Not just autism spectrum but non-verbal, repetitive action, stimulation averse autism.
Are you 100% certain that he’s equipped to handle the sensory input and chaos of combat sports?
I’m new here but have known about Bullshido for a very long time and have previously studied Shotokan and Wushu when I was younger but not proficient in either.
Anyway, I have an autistic 7 year old son who I want him to learn to defend himself for later on in life and to socialise and have discipline. What first martial art would everyone recommend? Though he is autistic he takes instruction very well but is extremely shy and it takes him a while to work up the confidence to do something.
He had previously started aikido with his grandad (he was a stunt man and bodyguard for the Saudi embassy) but he is too old to teach him that now.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
If he has issues with being touched, I recommend boxing.
Seven years old and has autism. Are you sure you want to teach him how to utilize violence? I mean, maybe start with something like a team sport like soccer or baseball before going down the rocky road of martial arts.
Boxing, muay thai, BJJ if you want him to learn how to fight in a strategic and intelligent way. All of these have dangers because they are real physical and control is a huge issue that could lead him to being hurt or hurting someone else.
Tai Chi and yoga if you want him to learn healthy exercises that won’t put him in harm’s way or encourage him to resort to violence unnecessarily.
My heart goes out to you either way. My brothers’ sons all have autism. Not just autism spectrum but non-verbal, repetitive action, stimulation averse autism.
Are you 100% certain that he’s equipped to handle the sensory input and chaos of combat sports?[/QUOTE]
Ben Askren is autistic. Combat sports can be awesome for some autistic people.
I’m new here but have known about Bullshido for a very long time and have previously studied Shotokan and Wushu when I was younger but not proficient in either.
Anyway, I have an autistic 7 year old son who I want him to learn to defend himself for later on in life and to socialise and have discipline. What first martial art would everyone recommend? Though he is autistic he takes instruction very well but is extremely shy and it takes him a while to work up the confidence to do something.
He had previously started aikido with his grandad (he was a stunt man and bodyguard for the Saudi embassy) but he is too old to teach him that now.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
You need to coordinate this closely and with the advise of your child’s medical provider, and any other counseling/ers, private or at school he is getting.
Another thing to consider is the self-defense aspect. He has to be able to understand when/how he can defend himself physically.
On top of that, his overall long-term health and physical development should be part of that. That means being more focused on his general physical activity level and athletic development rather than “self defense”.
This is the same for all kids (and adults), not just ones on the autism spectrum.
[QUOTE=TerraRazor;3051940]
Anyway, I have an autistic 7 year old son who I want him to learn to defend himself for later on in life and to socialise and have discipline. What first martial art would everyone recommend? Though he is autistic he takes instruction very well but is extremely shy and it takes him a while to work up the confidence to do something.[/QUOTE]
There’s an aspie teenager in my Kendo class. Our greatest challenge is keeping his attention for one and a half hour, but apart from that we never had any problems.
If your son’s main problem is shyness, it mustn’t be a severe condition. Is it Asperger Syndrome, maybe? If so, I believe there’s no problem introducing him to any martial art he likes. The key is finding a good legit instructor and a good class that enables him to blend in and socialize.
Seven years old and has autism. Are you sure you want to teach him how to utilize violence? I mean, maybe start with something like a team sport like soccer or baseball before going down the rocky road of martial arts.
Boxing, muay thai, BJJ if you want him to learn how to fight in a strategic and intelligent way. All of these have dangers because they are real physical and control is a huge issue that could lead him to being hurt or hurting someone else.
Tai Chi and yoga if you want him to learn healthy exercises that won’t put him in harm’s way or encourage him to resort to violence unnecessarily.
My heart goes out to you either way. My brothers’ sons all have autism. Not just autism spectrum but non-verbal, repetitive action, stimulation averse autism.
Are you 100% certain that he’s equipped to handle the sensory input and chaos of combat sports?[/QUOTE]
Well there’s different levels of the spectrum so maybe he could handle it okay. I have an autistic step son who is non verbal too and is prone to violent outbursts which is why I’m hesitant to teach him or take him training. Last thing I’d want to do with someone who can become that enraged at the drop of a hat and lacks and real self control, is to arm them with how to use it. So it’s a fair question I think in asking how prone your autistic son is to violence.
Otherwise if it is for self defence and he’s willing to learn then it’s really to be the same as usual. Boxing, MMA, Muay Thai ect.
He very kind and wouldn’t hurt a fly but has started to get pushed about a bit a school. I just want him to be able to defend himself without really hurting the other person, if possible.
[QUOTE=TerraRazor;3054207]He very kind and wouldn’t hurt a fly but has started to get pushed about a bit a school. I just want him to be able to defend himself without really hurting the other person, if possible.[/QUOTE]Martial arts will be very good for him, then.
I talked to a psychologist about this subject yesterday. She told me that martial arts training is valuable for any autistic person that can participate because it teaches discipline and rules. She clarified that aggressiveness is not a “symptom” of autism - autistic children may resort to it sometimes like any other child, but it won’t continue if it’s not reinforced (like giving in to what the child wants whenever they resort to aggressive behavior). The sooner measures are taken, the easier it is.
She also told me that autistic children often have trouble with other kids pushing them around at school. Training could give your son a boost in confidence and enough skills to either avoid confrontation or making it less “messy”.
You must know all this by now, but I thought it was important to share these point with other forums members.
[QUOTE=TerraRazor;3054207]He very kind and wouldn’t hurt a fly but has started to get pushed about a bit a school. I just want him to be able to defend himself without really hurting the other person, if possible.[/QUOTE]
My wife has worked with special needs children for close to three decades. Among these have been many with different levels of autism and Downs Syndrome. You say yours is very shy.
I’d be interested to get Neil and BKR’s thoughts on your’s trying judo. There are no punches or kicks but it’s a martial sport wherein you constantly have contact with your opponent. Self confidence would increase and close contact with others of different sizes and gender is a given.