Guest guest Posted November 4, 2004 Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 Hi Michele, Karate is right up my street! At least it was up to last year. There are lots of things that could make life easier for Aubrie in a karate class. I'm sorry I don't recall how much hearing she has so some suggestions may not be too helpful but here goes.............. 1. Karate instructors, by nature, are shouters. If Aubrie's hearing is fairly good, this will certainly make life much easier. The setback of course is that at some point, the instructions may start to be delivered in Japanese but not for a while, by which time Aubrie may have learnt the relevant terms. They are actually not that hard. 2. You may have noticed that by and large, people line up in rows. Generally speaking, it tends to be in grade order. However, if she has an aware and understanding instructor, s/he will appreciate that Aubrie needs to line up at the front where she can see enough to lipread and be close enough to hear. 3. Again, depending on awareness, when generally correcting the class, s/he could ensure that s/he is positioned where Aubrie can see and hear. 4. In terms of physical ability, it is great for working on balance and co-ordination. By and large, all that is needed is the ability to distinguish between your right and left and a little imagination from an instructor. Away from physical ability, it is great for self-discipline. 5. Our instructor is really good at protecting and ensuring people with extra needs are not patronised but remain safe. One way he does that is to ask the senior grades (usually the black belts he trusts) to pair up with the lower grades and work them hard but safely (when the class is required to pair up). Guess this would mean perhaps having a good chat with the instructor to ensure s/he is fully aware of Aubrie's needs and physical vulnerability and for the instructor to be confident that s/he can work with these but ensure that Aubrie is not shortchanged and is expected to work hard to the best of her ability. Over the several years I did karate, students of varying abilities, ages and disabilities have passed through the classes I have attended. Even I considered training through pregnancy (but saw sense, I was too tired to be bothered!). I think the best thing is to just let Aubrie try whatever she is interested in and make the necessary adjustments for her as the need arises. Probably, in a karate class, she is unlikely to need a 1:1. The most important thing is that she has a sensible, open-minded, firm but fair instructor. I am sure there are plenty of other things I could tell you but have to go and pick up number 2 now but if I can answer any other Q,s just ask away. Simon and I met at karate so between us we should be able to come up with some answers. Flo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2004 Report Share Posted November 5, 2004 Flo- So much helpful info! Thanks! I'll save it until we are ready to go give it a try. Another one of her friends just started. I think she'll really like it and now you've alleviated some of my worries! In church youth group, the teacher is using the FM system but they are having trouble understanding Aubrie. Her handwriting is so bad that they can't read what she writes, and they can't understand her speech either. I don't know what to do. I need to know how the laws work in the US. I am pretty sure that extracurricular stuff can be included in the IEP but I'm not sure how and by what guidelines. I don't want to have to go to youth group as her aid, but who can go with her? There is an older girl that helps her when she's there, but she has basketball practice some weeks too. I was thinking about seeing if our neighbor girl is interested in going. She's Aubrie's age, but she's an amazing friend. She could go as a pal and help interpret Aubrie's speech. I don't think it'd be too much responsibility for her, it'd just be what she'd naturally do without even being asked. Thanks again for all the ideas about karate. Now I'm looking forward to it instead of worrying about it. Michele W Aubrie's mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2004 Report Share Posted November 7, 2004 You are very welcome Michele. Any other questions, please do ask. I was actually reading an article on the internet not long ago about the fact that there used to be karate classes at the Helen Keller Centre in New York specifically for the deafblind students so they may also be a source of information. Never did finish the article so it may be that they are still going strong. It was only from 1999 so you never know for further advice. Good luck with your search for help with extracurricular activities. We are will shortly come to that dilemma too now that we are starting to look at activities for . Flo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Hey, If you have any questions about karate, Angie Fice (you met her at INDY I believe) MOM to is a black belt and of course a teacher, but I hear she has just started teaching karate to those with special needs as well. You can get her at: Angiejoel2@... Ann Gloyn Education Specialist Canada > Flo- > So much helpful info! Thanks! I'll save it until we are ready to go give > it a try. Another one of her friends just started. I think she'll really > like it and now you've alleviated some of my worries! > > In church youth group, the teacher is using the FM system but they are > having trouble understanding Aubrie. Her handwriting is so bad that they > can't read what she writes, and they can't understand her speech either. I > don't know what to do. I need to know how the laws work in the US. I am > pretty sure that extracurricular stuff can be included in the IEP but I'm > not sure how and by what guidelines. > > I don't want to have to go to youth group as her aid, but who can go with > her? There is an older girl that helps her when she's there, but she has > basketball practice some weeks too. I was thinking about seeing if our > neighbor girl is interested in going. She's Aubrie's age, but she's an > amazing friend. She could go as a pal and help interpret Aubrie's speech. > I don't think it'd be too much responsibility for her, it'd just be what > she'd naturally do without even being asked. > > Thanks again for all the ideas about karate. Now I'm looking forward to it > instead of worrying about it. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Thanks for the tip, Ann! Aubrie went with a friend to watch karate class tonight and is just sure she wants to start when the dr says it's ok. Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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