A Natural Athlete
February 22, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
11-year-old Jared Twombly does forward rolls in mid-air. He hangs from the rings. He pulls himself up on the parallel bars. He is learning how to do handstands. He is, according to his one-on-one instructor, recreational therapist Jackie Hinckley, “‘a natural athlete, so once he learns something there doesn’t seem like there’s anything he can’t do.’” Jared, who has autism, takes gymnastics classes at the Atlantic Gymnastics Training Center in Portsmouth, Maine New Hampshire. An article in the February 22nd Seacoast Online noted that, when he started to go to the gym, he covered his ears and face. After six months—with his parents thinking they would pull him from the classes—Jared started to do his first forward rolls. The Seacoast Online article further notes how doing gymnastics “‘fantails out into all the other areas of his life,’” as Hinckley puts it:
Though Jared does not speak — and cannot say how gymnastics makes him feel — his parents and Hinckley notice it has helped give him the confidence to do things he hadn’t done before.
…………………
Combined with help from his in-home coordinators, Lynn DiElsi and Karen Crystal; occupational, physical and speech therapy and his educational technician Judie Hogan at York Middle School where he is a sixth-grader, Jared now joins in more during physical education classes and even has begun speaking a few words.
For instance, during his gymnastics classes, he often repeated the last word of Hinckley’s instructions such as “feet” or “roll” before performing the skill.
After gently touching his arm and face — encouraging Jared to look at her each time she gave instructions — Hinckley would tell him what to do next.
And then he would do it.
“Obviously his understanding is perfect,” Hinckley said. “He is an extraordinarily visual learner, so if I can do it, he can copy it.”
Hinckley works with some 100 other learning disabled children and notes that “‘Each in their own way is a success story because they are able to do things they weren’t able to do before. The whole goal is for them to feel success.’” Yes: One of my favorite sights in the world is the look of anticipation tinged with a bit of derring-do on my son Charlie’s face as he rides off on his bike, his dad beside him. The physical exercise does a lot for Charlie—-I have no hard proof, but Jim and I do feel that the long bike rides (and long walks and swimming) help his communication skills and, even more, his overall ability to focus. (And they sure are fun, too.)
We’re all looking forward to when the snow and slush melt away and it is time to take the bikes out of the garage. In the meantime, with Jared as an inspiration, I am thinking it is time to try out the climbing wall at the YMCA with Charlie.
Too coincidental – I just received an email from the gymnastic center down the street from our house. I had asked them if they had any special classes that would be right for Lola, my amateur gymnast (who never met a bookshelf she couldn’t climb). We are starting her in a “Mommy&Me”-type class next month. I imagine she will love it.
Would love to know how she does! Charlie did gymastics for about a year in a class with non-autistic children. 1 on 1 would work better for him—he did like walking the balance beams, hanging on the uneven bars and (with help) standing on his hands.
Gymnastics is great for sensory integration. I take 3 group classes and a private lesson every week (adult/boys team on Monday, private lesson and girls team on Wed, either girls’ team or Adults on Sat, they run concurrently). The private lesson is great for REFINING things and explaining new things, but the group thing is good for that extra push to actually DO IT because there are a bunch of younger kids cheering for me.
I got lucky…my coach is a former special ed teacher. And her husband has experience with different needs too…so at the gym Im not disabled, just multiply labeled.
And I have a meet Saturday *grin*. And next Saturday. And a MONTH from Saturday.
Against typical-ish athletes. *bigger grin* Inclusion where appropriate.
I’m also a big fan of gymnastics, swimming, and bike riding. I think that all kids get a much better sense of their body by doing physical things, and success makes them confidant in their own abilities.
Buddy Boy hasn’t been all that fond of gymnastics, so we’ve given him some time off from that. But he does fairly well in swimming, and was REALLY proud of himself this last year when riding without training wheels clicked for him. I, too, can’t wait to get out on the bike with him again this summer.
We’ve also thought it might be worth while to start Charlie running (which he can certainly do well now, though not when asked. Jim and I are both runners—the family that runs together…….
*grabs shins, weak ankles, and flat feet*
Oww running…
hee. I am so not the endurance athlete. But Charlie has shown himself to be exactly that. I hope he enjoys running with his family.
I’ll stick to flying through the air and on the slopes. The adrenaline rush and ability to do it perfectly (ahhh how I love those scores) really works for me. Y’all can run my 5 minute stretches FOR me…