Nancy Kahn Scott has been the owner/operator of the My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Palm Desert, California since 1996. As a hands-on owner, she teaches classes six days a week for children from six weeks to eight years of age. Here, she discusses how children with special needs can get the most out of a children’s gym.
Gym classes don’t suit everyone, and not every child with special needs would benefit from one. But studies have shown that in some autistic children, for example, gymnastics is a great option. It allows them to get the necessary activity and exercise they need while at the same time helping them maintain a sense of control over excessive stimulation.
Autistic kids have different reactions when they are exposed to too much stimuli, but the solo nature of gymnastics can facilitate a child being able to keep the environmental stimuli down to a manageable level. Many parents of autistic children are coming to realize how much a gymnastics class can be of immense benefit to their child.
Mainstreaming Children Into My Gym Classes
All My Gyms have classes for autistic children. Some gyms run other types of special needs classes. Tther gyms will mainstream high-functioning special needs kids into existing My Gym classes. It depends on the level of the disability, and many times a child can be mainstreamed into an existing My Gym class with the existence of a shadow, a parent or occupational therapist accompanying them.
We incorporate all-inclusive classes for children with varying disabilities. There are children who come to My Gym with leg braces who cannot walk, they come right into class with their braces on and we encourage them to do every activity that they can possible do.
Improving Developmental Delay
We also encourage premature babies who are developmentally delayed to make use of My Gym. My Gym is a great option for those kids, they might not be considered special needs but are definitely not in the mainstream as far as achieving milestones is concerned. For those preemies, our classes are a great way to catch them up on their fine and gross motor skills.
It’s wonderful for the other children to see them there as well. We as a company try not to highlight or distinguish between a child with special needs and an “average” child. And it is amazing how accepting children are when presented with something a little bit different.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
