Skateboard for low muscle tone

[Anonymous]

DS seems to be a bit interested in skateboard. My jaw dropped when he tried it out at a camp fair today with an instructor. He has low muscle tone, and he still can't ride bike without training wheels, monkey bar or swimming at age 8. We have been trying for bike and swimming for years. He avoids playing basketball because it is challenging for him. His core is weak and poor in balancing. He can't ice skate but he enjoys ice skating using those skate assistant thing.

We are only available to take weekend classes if he really wants to give it a try. But, I am not really sure if it is a good idea for him to take skateboard classes. I have no experiences with skateboard. Is that a dangerous activity for liw muscle tone kid? What is good or bad for skateboarding ?

[Anonymous]

Terrible idea - you need a ton of core strength plus quick reflexes for skateboarding.

[Anonymous]

Id start with a scooter instead.

[Anonymous]

Get - and use - appropriate safety equipment, stay on flat surfaces to start, and have him go for it! Self-motivation is so important.

[Anonymous]

I'm going a little off topic here but I think it'll be helpful - have you seen the I Can Bike camps? It's how 2 of my kids (ADHD/anxiety/hypotonia) learned to ride. I can't say enough good things about it. They attended 'camps' that were held at FCPS middle schools and the students coaches attended school there. It was amazing and so very accommodating. Even with a high level of anxiety/fear, my youngest was able to learn to ride.

I set up a tickler on my calender to check the site for an updated camp list so I could apply as soon as possible. Spots are limited and fill quickly.

https://icanshine.org/

[Anonymous]

My kid with a similar profile did gymnastics for several years (1:1 lessons). It did wonders for his physical abilities, he's great at skateboarding and biking.

[Anonymous]

If he enjoys it, let him do it. I would try and find a private 1:1 instructor to start with. Explain the situation, wear the safety equipment, and let him have fun

[Anonymous]

The best exercise for low core strength is the exercise your kid will do.

[Anonymous]

Agree with above posters. Our ASD/ADHD had low muscle tone too. He went to OT for years, but it turns out he really loves skateboarding. We were terrified but safety equipment (helmet, pads) and individual lessons helped. He also likes that skateboarding is a "cool kid" sport.

[Anonymous]

My ND kid is a very good skateboarder and has been doing it for several years. He's got inattentive ADHD and zero indicators for ASD. He's broken 3 bones while skateboarding despite the fact that he's super coordinated and not a daredevil. It's inherently a dangerous sport. And it requires both grace & timing like a dancer and a great understanding of where your body is relative to poles, rims, stairs, and curbs at all times. I think most people, NT or not, stop because it's so hard to be good enough at it to have fun. It's also much more social than I had realized. There's way more etiquette involved than in social sports like golfing.