Rugby Coaching for Autistic Kids
November 15, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
The Cartha Queens Park Rugby Football Club has begun a project to introduce autistic children to rubgy, with a view to see “if the behaviour of children with ASD could be changed over a period of weeks with rugby coaching in the Club environment,” as reported in today’s STV (Scotland). Says one of the organizers, Alan Irons, a member of Cartha Queens Park RFC:
“We don’t expect all these youngsters to develop to the same extent, but we’re hoping that, out of the twenty or so youngsters, a handful will be able to progress and move into the mainstream rugby coaching for their age group within the Club. We really hope we can make a difference for children with autism, improving the quality of their lives, self-esteem, confidence and their interaction with other people.”
And one hope that the coaches will take the differences of autistic kids into account, too.
Weeks? Behavior change in weeks? How about months, years….
And when they stop playing rugby, what happens—loss of what they learned?
Kristina
In reply to your article all coaches involved attended two autisim awareness sessions before the project started,including myself who has an autistic son who has been playing rugby and other sports such as judo and football for 5 year,which has greatly increased the development of his communication and social skills. At all times the children’s individual needs were met and coaching staff had professional support.We are hoping to restart training in the Spring when weather conditions are more suitable.Feel free to contact myself at the above e mail address for further information.
Dear Stephen,
Thanks so much for the information. Am always interested in finding about more athletic opportunities for my son!
As a fellow youth rugby player and student coach at college. Developments like this are greatly welcomed. i am interested in the type of drills and activities that were undertaken, taking into account age variation and ability?
Sandy, thanks for your query—I will forward your message to Stephen Kerr above.
Hello there
as a student at university i am doing my dissertation on imporving communication skills of adolescent children with autism. i was wondering where i could get the get in2 rugby project by cartha queens rugby club. thank you for your time
danny
Hi, here is the website for Cartha Queens Park Rugby Football Club—-
http://www.carthaqp.org/
and here’s a page with contact info—-
http://www.carthaqp.org/index.php?page=contact
This email was given, too—-hope this is helpful!
For club or website enquiries email Brian Gervaise: mail@carthaqp.org