INTRODUCING THE SPECTRUM SKILLZ PROGRAM!
This program was developed for children aged 7 to 9 years old on the autism spectrum. It introduces specialized, skill-based training for children with limited physical, intellectual, social, and emotional abilities. With this in mind, a greater emphasis is placed on building foundational skills training with the strategic balance of martial arts.
Spectrum Skillz Ninja represents the ability of individuals on the spectrum who train martial arts to achieve success.
Skill development
Understanding the needs of these children, we have selected 8 skills that make up the Spectrum SKILLZ program Core:
1. Awareness – This skill helps children develop awareness of their surroundings, their place in a specific environment, how to better control their body, and how to better manage their time.
2. Detail – Children can see incredible detail in specific areas, and this ability helps them use this quality to develop great martial arts technique and have a sense of belonging to a team
3. Observation – This skill helps children on the spectrum learn to pay attention to things and people around them in a meaningful way while developing their active memory.
4. Listening – This skill is divided into four parts that help children develop excellent listening skills: active listening, empathetic listening, critical listening, and informational listening.
5. Communication – This skill aims to help children effectively communicate how they feel. We do this by developing eye contact, using body language, practicing communicating with a partner, and, where appropriate, using vocal guidance and inflection to express how they feel.
6. Retention – The ability to remember helps children develop long-term memory, working memory, and short-term memory for information they might otherwise consider “less important.”
7. Perseverance – Sometimes children on the autism spectrum experience physical challenges. The ability to persevere helps children develop the physical strength and mental discipline to complete difficult tasks.
8. Determination – This skill helps with the emotional and intellectual challenges children face when put under pressure. We help them develop a positive attitude while guiding them to success by overcoming challenges during martial arts classes.
Each training session focuses on one of the above skills (in order). Each session includes a warm-up, a discussion on the mat about the skills, two or three skill-building exercises, and then a beam test, during which participants earn different colored beams (each color representing a different skill). After earning all eight beams, they can take the belt exam.
After the belt exam, children will continue to practice all 8 skills, but with a more demanding curriculum as they move up to the next rank.
As you can see, we're taking martial arts training to a whole new level! We use elements of martial arts education to build skills appropriate for children on the spectrum. This means your child will learn and grow at a pace that's fun while providing enough challenge to support their development. Best of all, the Spectrum SKILLZ program will equip your child with skills they'll use in every area of life!
FIND OUT MORE
Spectrum SKILLZ – PHYSICAL development of children on the spectrum
According to the American Psychiatric Association, "Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition that includes persistent challenges with social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors." While this is the core of ASD, the significant difficulties some people with ASD face with movement and motor planning are often overlooked. [Read more…]
Spectrum SKILLZ – Intellectual development of children on the spectrum
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. However, the consequences of ASD on a child's development extend across all areas. Because ASD affects communication, it also impacts cognitive development and can lead to learning difficulties. [Read more…]
Spectrum SKILLZ – EMOTIONAL development of children on the spectrum
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is most characterized by emotional and social difficulties. While these two areas have much in common with an individual's development, it's important to understand emotional challenges as a separate entity. [Read more…]
Spectrum SKILLZ – SOCIAL development for children on the spectrum
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is largely characterized by social dysfunction. It's often assumed that the social difficulties associated with it are an individual's choice, but this isn't the case. Children with ASD want to interact with others but lack the necessary skills. Developing an appropriate set of social skills is essential for their success in interpersonal relationships. [Read more…]
