As the school year begins, parents of children with disabilities coordinate their busy schedule of therapies and school along with enrolling them in a sport and recreational activities. What is sought after is an activity that offers both meaningful movement and therapeutic benefits. Unfortunately, options are limited in recreational activities for individuals with disabilities compared to their typical peers.
One good option for meaningful, consistent activity with therapeutic benefits is karate
Karate is a great and fun extension of physical and occupational therapies. Often individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are seen only once a week by a Physical Therapist, and I strongly believe that the addition of a karate class can be a fun extension of above mentioned therapies. A karate class is often a place where individuals with disabilities can excel due to its consistency. An important part of karate practice is focus on kata practice (sequential moves). Kata practice creates familiarity due to its repetition, which reduces anxiety due to clear expectations.
Another benefit of karate practice is focus on core strength and building physical strength. Which is extremely important for individuals with disabilities as often they struggle with hypotonia, which is muscle weakness affecting how they use their muscles for joint stability, posture, coordination, and balance. Adaptive karate done well focuses on core strength. Strengthening these muscles is of key importance and is done directly through punching, kicking, stances, standing on one leg, and katas but also through exercises done in class. Exercises to work these important muscles are abdominal exercises, planks, pushups and others. Balance and coordination are large topics that karate works well on with its many stances and movements.
The big picture I would like to emphasize is all the issues mentioned above sets karate students up for improved function not only in karate but in other aspects of life as they grow and as adults. Improving these deficits will help them perform and engage in school with greater focus and in the community with greater confidence. Karate is is not just punching and kicking but having an environment that cultivates ability and self-confidence.
Moreover, intrinsic karate value of respect enhances students’ social interaction. Each karate class begins and ends with a bow to show respect. The act of bowing reminds students to be respectful not only during the karate class, but also in other areas of their functioning. Often students are asked to give examples of how they can show respect at home, school, etc. Showing respect and following directions are fundamental values that karate class reinforces.
Finally, karate’s system of belt promotions creates challenge to learn new skills and sets up the students for success as they achieve new belt levels. Through hard work, focus and consistency in learning new karate skills and achieving higher belt levels, students develop a sense of knowing, ability, and confidence amid the disability they deal with. Karate practice offers the experience of ability as students learn new skills and overcome the challenges they face. Ultimately, karate practice builds self-confidence and cultivates the attitude of ability and the desire to grow and be successful not only in karate but in other areas of their lives.