Which sport for kid with hypotonia? Any recommendations for dance classes?

[Anonymous]

This is more fitness-oriented than joining a team, but a really upbeat zumba class could be fun. Also shop around for the type of dance sur may enjoy. I imagine ballet could be really challenging, but something where there are more beginners (ballroom maybe?) or it is a little more relaxed (hip hop, jazz) may be a good fit. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

We have 3 kids and all were diagnosed with hypotonia. All surprised us by ending up finding sports they excelled at, but it does still show up in places. What we found key was practicing skills between classes/practices and having the OT work on skills in sessions.

DC#1 did gymnastics and ballet beginning in preschool. She was hyperflexible, which was a positive. She ended up improving her core strength along the way.

DC#2 and DC#3 both struggled to learn to swim (and we tried group and private lessons over years and years!). They also struggled with gymnastics, proving there is no one size fits all approach. We found success in soccer and baseball. It was tough in the early years watching them try to keep up with peers, but they enjoyed participating and seemed unaware of how they compared. Unfortunately, I think by 12 kids are much more self-conscious. Again, I don't think either would be where they are if they had just attended a class or single practice once a week. The OT and extra practice was very important. We also made sure they always had warm and encouraging coaches.

My advice is to have her try several different activities. Once you hit on an activity she enjoys, consider doing a few private sessions because she'll make faster progress.

[Anonymous]

If you try ballet, go to a local studio with a nice sized beginning or recreational teen program.

Do NOT go to a conservatory type or ballet focused school.like Washington Ballet.

Find a school that has lots of other styles besides ballet: tap, hip hop, jazz, contemporary, musical theater, etc. Those places will be much more accepting and nurturing for a dancer who is less blessed in the natural skills/body type department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suggest cross country, track and field, swimming, tennis, or biking (I think there is a team based in Rockville). Rock climbing is another idea - not a team per se, but definitely comraderie.

To the poster who suggested squash, I thought that sport requires very quick reaction time and reflexes? I know not all people with adhd and hypotonia face the same challenges, but my kid is definitely lagging in quick reflexes and hand-eye coordination - I would have not thought to suggest squash for thise reasons, but have you found it has helped improve those skills in your child?

DS has good hand eye coordination and quick reflexes according to his OT even with the hypotonia. Where he's lacking is that sometimes he doesn't move fast due to attention and talking too much DS is capable of moving fast and his coach makes him play in silence and yes, DS's squash improves with practice like everything else. He's been playing and being coached for almost a yr and DS can play! Squash is fast so there is never a dull moment or an opportunity to get bored once you are into the game.

My suggestion would be to find a good beginner program, use a beginner squash ball (more bounce and bigger - easier to hit), and an understanding/patient coach.

[Anonymous]

Does it have to be ballet?

I'd look at Liz Lehrman's dance place in Takoma Park and/or a hip hop dance place.

[Anonymous]

Swimming is awesome!

[Anonymous]

No dance or sports actually improved my DD hypotonia. In fact, all were made more difficult due to her hypotonia and we tried at least everything mentioned on this thread (including squash believe it or not!). A few months ago we started doing real, actual strength training exercise program and that has made some difference. Also some PT and OT proved useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dance or sports actually improved my DD hypotonia. In fact, all were made more difficult due to her hypotonia and we tried at least everything mentioned on this thread (including squash believe it or not!). A few months ago we started doing real, actual strength training exercise program and that has made some difference. Also some PT and OT proved useful.

Hypotonia, "is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist..."
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hypotonia/hypotonia.htm

Sports like swimming, ballet, squash, karate, running--can help bilateral coordination, eye hand coordination, balance, aerobic fitness, etc.

Being part of a team, makes kids feel good about themselves and feel a part of something.

There's nothing wrong with strength training if a child is old enough and does it safely. Just understand what hypotonia actually is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for the great suggestions. My daughter cannot swim very well despite lots of lessons so while she takes lessons now, she is not good enough to do any teams. I am looking into adult or teen ballet. I also like the idea of trying to play down an age group but since my daughter is tall, she may not go for it. And thanks to PP for the reminder that everyone sucks at the beginning.

FWIW, my 9 year old is the same, but the swim team accommodates him anyway. He is very very slow, but he really needs this kind of exercise and the buoyancy of the water helps a lot with his stamina. Maybe try with a summer league team next year as a starter, or try one of the winter team clinics that are on weekends only (Sea Devils has some). They also have developmental groups on most teams. Not all teams are all about speed and competition in every lane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No dance or sports actually improved my DD hypotonia. In fact, all were made more difficult due to her hypotonia and we tried at least everything mentioned on this thread (including squash believe it or not!). A few months ago we started doing real, actual strength training exercise program and that has made some difference. Also some PT and OT proved useful.

Hypotonia, "is not the same as muscle weakness, although the two conditions can co-exist..."
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hypotonia/hypotonia.htm

Sports like swimming, ballet, squash, karate, running--can help bilateral coordination, eye hand coordination, balance, aerobic fitness, etc.

Being part of a team, makes kids feel good about themselves and feel a part of something.

There's nothing wrong with strength training if a child is old enough and does it safely. Just understand what hypotonia actually is.

You are right that hypotonia and muscle weakness are different, but they are intertwined for many people as hypotonia makes it harder to build strength, and strength can help kids compensate for hypotonia.

Hypotonia is essential not treatable. PT and OT for hypotonia focus on increasing strategies for compensating, and activities that build strength can make those strategic easier.