Kids with Special Needs "projects"

Or something to that extent.

I have an idea, I've been sitting on it a while, but i'm not sure how it's going to pan out, and when I get these ideas they usually end up brain farts. And never pan out.

So here's my thinking. Jacob's behavior isn't getting any better at school. It's matter of fact. The school doesn't care because he's excelling so much "academically" and their solution for the behaviors is to alienate him from the rest of the group.

And after talking to my EX-MIL(who is amazing, everyone should be jealous), she said her son who had OCD, this is what they did to him. And I know how that turned out and I don't want that for my son, nor does she want that for Jacob.

So now I'm back on track thinking of a project he can excel at, that wouldn't require use of his arms, his left arm is partially disabled. The EX-MIL has him in swim lessons, she pays for it(told you she's awesome), but I don't think it's something he can excel at, since his arm is partially disabled. The counselor referred it to "like watching Nemo swim" LOL. It's funny to watch but horrible at the same time, he's the best 1 armed and a chicken wing swimmer there is!

Ok so I thought of running. Probably long distance running. I feel like if we start him now, it's something he can look forward to in school later on, if he stays in. He has the height for it. The kid is astronomically tall, at over 4ft, I think 4ft 2 inches now, his feet are huge, and just jumped 2 sizes, there's no way this kid is going to be short(he's 6 and 1/2 btw), he's almost in size 4 shoes.

So I asked the counselor about it. I wash thinking getting a treadmill, so he always has something to run on. And then his dad and step dad used to be really good at long distance running, so I think it's something that we could all start on, and grow together with.

So my question. Anyone else, with your kids that have special needs, have you given them a realistic project for them, or goal to work on, and has it panned out?

I've tried several things and I'm just horrified that he's still being treated like this at school, and I want to give him something positive to look forward in life.

Things we've tried, gymnastics, but the gyms have already told me not to even enroll him because he's to tall and will never succeed. He wants to try karate but I think it's inappropriate with a kid with his problems and behavioral problems.

And for those that don't know. Right now he's diagnosed with a behavioral disorder, high functioning autism, and SPD. We are looking into the diagnosis of OCD as well.

Actually, karate would be a good idea to look into for two reasons.
1. He wants to do it.
2. Karate teaches you discipline and structure. It's not all about fighting.

There was a kid in my karate class that had ALOT of anger issues. Getting kicked out of all the schools in the area because of fighting, biting, pushing a kid off the playground causing a broken arm. The karate made SUCH a difference in his behavior, he ended up back a school he had been booted from and did very well!

Quoting ^-^ Rawr + 2:" Actually, karate would be a good idea to look into for two reasons. 1. He wants to do it. 2. Karate teaches ... [snip!] ... arm. The karate made SUCH a difference in his behavior, he ended up back a school he had been booted from and did very well!"

I've been thinking about it, but I still think with his "special needs" that it's just not a good time for him, plus his speech isn't really there yet. I'm afraid that it would just go south. I was thinking in about a year or two if he could make more improvements.

I think running would be good. During the warmer seasons he could maybe even practice like long jump if he's got long legs. Make him a long jump pit if he likes it (idk how big your yard is though  ). When it's nice out run outside. Running is a good stress reliever so maybe that can help with the aggression. And in older grades he could do cross country and track. So that's two seasons of sports right there.

I also agree with the other lady about karate. But if you're not comfortable with it don't. Maybe scope places out and talk to the masters and see if they have experience with special needs.

would he like yoga? both my kids (ages 4 and 2) go to kids yoga. my 2 year old is an absolute maniac and even he is able to settle down and enjoy the poses.

i didnt think it was healthy having children run distance. not sure how far you're talking here, but i recently read an article about it. what about soccer? there are always kids soccer clinics going on. my kids gymnastics gym also has "open gym" days where you can go for 2 hours and play on all the equipment and trampolines. we also have places that are trampoline gyms. just ALL trampolines the kids LOVE those

Quoting shes*almost*one!:" would he like yoga? both my kids (ages 4 and 2) go to kids yoga. my 2 year old is an absolute maniac ... [snip!] ... on all the equipment and trampolines. we also have places that are trampoline gyms. just ALL trampolines the kids LOVE those"

I was talking to far of a distance. For right now just teaching him to "get it out of his system" kind of running.

We used to do open gym and we do it during the summer, but we were strictly told "not to waste our time enrolling him" to actual classes because he doesn't have the right body type.

I thought of soccer too, but to me, exercise for a kid? To me to much exercise is the same as running, soccer you run, you can even break bones. To me it's the same thing, so if I'm going to put him in a sport, it's going to be dangerous regardless.

I looked up karate, and it falls during his counseling sessions so that's a no go. I'm kind of glad I got out of that one.

I haven't thought of yoga. That might actually be kind of fun. For everyone. Since he has ADHD I wonder if he could actually stick with it for a long enough session you know?

hmmm...all good suggestions. I love it.

right now I think we agreed to keep him in swimming lessons, he's pretty good, and introducing running to him. His dad has already agreed, as has my husband. But your right in that I should probably clarify with them not to push him to far and make him run like miles. They're men, so they may get confused.

<blockquote><b>Quoting TheCoopersKnitWitch:</b>" I was talking to far of a distance. For right now just teaching him to "get it out of his system" kind ... [snip!] ... I should probably clarify with them not to push him to far and make him run like miles. They're men, so they may get confused."</blockquote>

I do yoga with my preschoolers and they love it. And we get some pretty ADHD kids. Some of the poses are challenging and require their concentration so it helps mellow them out.

Quoting TheCoopersKnitWitch:" I was talking to far of a distance. For right now just teaching him to "get it out of his system" kind ... [snip!] ... I should probably clarify with them not to push him to far and make him run like miles. They're men, so they may get confused."

gymnastics: the teachers dont know what they're talking about. 99.999% of kids do gymnastics for fun... not for competition or going to the olympics. try again, or a different gym. its a LOT of fun. plenty of stuff he can do with just his legs.

soccer: one of the safest sports for kids. its really not that much running honestly. its no contact and the chance of breaking a bone is super SUPER slim. i wouldnt rule it out because you're scared of that.

yoga: they have family yoga classes that are a lot of fun. my husband even enjoys going. the poses are switched up very quickly. we're not talking about hot endurance yoga here, just fun, stretching for the kiddos. i dont think his ADD would hinder here.

my kids also have taken music classes and spanish in motion, both were very enjoyable. we also like going to the free programs at local libraries.

i try to get my kids into a little bit of everything. let them find their own niche.

much to my husband's dismay my 2 year old son LOVES dance class. hahahaha. its a basic, co-ed, street/hiphop class. but the kid OWNS those dances!!! hehehe its really funny to see! your son might like something like that? feeling the music and moving to it basically. nothing too difficult. not ballet or anything, lol :-)

Quoting shes*almost*one!:" gymnastics: the teachers dont know what they're talking about. 99.999% of kids do gymnastics for fun... ... [snip!] ... like something like that? feeling the music and moving to it basically. nothing too difficult. not ballet or anything, lol :-)"

You know I forgot dance too!

I know in the long run, gymnastics isn't a good fit for him. I got booted from gymnastic because I had breasts and was to tall. I'm serious. Unfortunately a lot of the coaches just see it as a competition sport and although they may let kids in while they're young, you won't get any where if you want to advance, they won't let you. And my sister? Who was so good she was getting perfect 10s? Was refused advancement because she was winning for them.

We do a lot of other things during the summer. The library programs, we try to make trips to the Vancouver library in town for their programs, and for sure will this year(make an extra effort), we also during the summer do zoo trips(lots of walking).

I am not opposed to soccer, it's just with all of his problems, it's hard to say right now that I can fully say I support him on a team. The counselor seems to have some really good ideas, so I'm thinking that after 6 months in therapy and working on calming strategies, he may be ready.

Another one of his problems, especially at school, if he's not first, or "winning" it's the number 1 cause of him punching someone. So that's mostly why I don't think it's a good idea.

I think yoga seems fun and probably something I can do as a family with them.

I love all the ideas. I still think though that for right now, running probably would be best. I don't want him alienated, but it will be good bonding with his dad, and will give him some time in therapy to learn more calming strategies.

I think overall my biggest fear is him getting kicked out of a sport. It's happened SO often, that I just don't want to put him through it.