What extracurricular activities did you start your SN child in?

[Anonymous]

We have a 4 year old boy. He has sensory issues and attention issues. Thus - any kind of group programs we have tried have been failures. We tried gymnastics and he ran around the entire time and went nuts -my fault for even thinking this was remotely a good idea. I realize now that he had sensory overload.

I will mention that he does attend daycare and is able to sit and pay attention for short periods of time - but this is probably because he is used to the routine, and knows what is expected. This is not a kid I see standing in line waiting for a teacher/coach to tell him what to do - he is the one bouncing around, unable to stand still or focus.

I think about other sports and picture the same thing happening - him not listening to the coach, running off, not following directions or having a meltdown. Should I just wait until he is older to start something? He likes the water and I would like to get him swim lessons, but I can't see anything working except for perhaps private.

Sometimes people ask me what sports/activities we have in him - and when I say nothing at the moment I get comments or looks. I don't think people understand WHY I don't have him in anything. He is not a typical child. I feel like most things would just be an absolute waste of money because he'd probably get kicked out of the program. He has a ton of energy and does like to run, jump etc. So I do think some kind of sport/activity would be good for him - but its a fine line. Once he gets worked up - its hard for him to come back down. This is why I can't stand those jump places like Pump it Up - they are a disaster with him.

Anyone is a similar situation? Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Well, I think you'll find a lot of people in your situation. Also, there are plenty of NT kids who don't do sports, so really don't give any looks a second thought. (This may be more of a reflection of your insecurity rather than the actuality.)

I'd take your kid to open gyms or go swimming with him yourself during open swim time at a pool.

Being in a class is a lot for kids with sensory and/or attention issues. Give it time.

[Anonymous]

If you're open to doing swimming lessons at odd times (i.e. very early in the morning or 6 at night) you may be able to get him into a "group" class with maybe 2-3 other children.

I once signed DS up for a swim class and he was one of three kids. The group class for the next level up only had one kid. It was at something like 8 a.m. on Saturday. The next class, which started at 9 had like 10 kids in it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 4 year old boy. He has sensory issues and attention issues. Thus - any kind of group programs we have tried have been failures. We tried gymnastics and he ran around the entire time and went nuts -my fault for even thinking this was remotely a good idea. I realize now that he had sensory overload.

I will mention that he does attend daycare and is able to sit and pay attention for short periods of time - but this is probably because he is used to the routine, and knows what is expected. This is not a kid I see standing in line waiting for a teacher/coach to tell him what to do - he is the one bouncing around, unable to stand still or focus.

I think about other sports and picture the same thing happening - him not listening to the coach, running off, not following directions or having a meltdown. Should I just wait until he is older to start something? He likes the water and I would like to get him swim lessons, but I can't see anything working except for perhaps private.

Sometimes people ask me what sports/activities we have in him - and when I say nothing at the moment I get comments or looks. I don't think people understand WHY I don't have him in anything. He is not a typical child. I feel like most things would just be an absolute waste of money because he'd probably get kicked out of the program. He has a ton of energy and does like to run, jump etc. So I do think some kind of sport/activity would be good for him - but its a fine line. Once he gets worked up - its hard for him to come back down. This is why I can't stand those jump places like Pump it Up - they are a disaster with him.

Anyone is a similar situation? Suggestions?

He sounds like he could eventually be an incredible athlete. Most pools will do private 1:1 lessons if you wanted to start him in swimming -- just call and ask at the front desk. You could start with something weekly or every other week. There was a list on the listserv about private swim instructors particularly patient with sensory kids.

You could always call and talk to the group coach too and see what they advise.

This is true for any sport. 1:1 reinforcement may be the way to go in the short-term!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We used to take DS to a local high school and have him run around the track. He loved it.

[Anonymous]

My kid's special needs are related to a medical issue that didn't surface until he was older, so I don't have experience parenting a 4 year old with SN, but I do have experience as the parent of a NT preschooler, and as a special ed Kindergarten teacher.

In my experience, most 4 year olds find a full day of school or daycare to be enough. If you add on sensory needs, and one to one therapies, even if they're during the school day, it's a lot for little ones. I'd hold off on extracurriculars for a couple years, at least through the transition to Kindergarten.

Later down the road, I've seen kids who are very successful with martial arts (either a regular class or an adapted class), private or very small group swim lessons (ideally at a pool that is small and reserved for lessons at that time so that the sensory environment isn't overwhelming), drama (again, either a regular class with supports or an adapted class. Imagination stage's adaptive programs are fantastic), or art lessons.

But, again, I don't see any need to rush this. My own 4 year old, without special needs, found full day preschool/daycare, and then kindergarten, to be plenty of time to practice being in a group and listening to directions.

[Anonymous]

We just signed our 4 yr old up for Kidball T-ball and a parent participates.. We will see how it goes..

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into Sportsplus?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used to take DS to a local high school and have him run around the track. He loved it.

This is OP - this actually sounds like a really good idea!

[Anonymous]

Horseback riding. DS asked. Rock creek park has stables and lessons.

[Anonymous]

A few random thoughts.

Swimming -- great for motor coordination and body feedback -- but can be tough for some kids to follow instruction in a group class with sounds bouncing all over the walls. If you can afford private instruction at a place like KidsFirst, that may work better.

Gymnastics -- not all gyms are the same level of sensory overload, don't know if you have looked into Little Gym, but occasionally they have instructors there who are very skilled at keeping kids on task and giving them positive encouragement.

Karate -- you'd think this would be a challenge but this is really all about developing the listening skills and focus that many kids struggle with. It really can be confidence building for kids who face challenges in this area, they discover they can actually master such skills step by step. Kicks Karate has some very flexible teachers.

[Anonymous]

East West Taekwondo? We haven't been there but we have friends who have been there and the instructors have worked with kids with ADHD and on the spectrum.

[Anonymous]

+1 for martial arts.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am in the same boat with you, a very sensory kid with horrible attention skills. Only mine is now 7 and has been diagnosed with ADHD a few months ago. However, we've been doing sports since he was 4 and this is what worked for us:

Swimming - try swim classes in your local rec centers. They are usually small, so kids get more attention from coaches. DS is now asking if he can join a team, but that's another story.

T-Ball and tennis- talk about a great coordination activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a 4 year old boy. He has sensory issues and attention issues. Thus - any kind of group programs we have tried have been failures. We tried gymnastics and he ran around the entire time and went nuts -my fault for even thinking this was remotely a good idea. I realize now that he had sensory overload.

I will mention that he does attend daycare and is able to sit and pay attention for short periods of time - but this is probably because he is used to the routine, and knows what is expected. This is not a kid I see standing in line waiting for a teacher/coach to tell him what to do - he is the one bouncing around, unable to stand still or focus.

I think about other sports and picture the same thing happening - him not listening to the coach, running off, not following directions or having a meltdown. Should I just wait until he is older to start something? He likes the water and I would like to get him swim lessons, but I can't see anything working except for perhaps private.

Sometimes people ask me what sports/activities we have in him - and when I say nothing at the moment I get comments or looks. I don't think people understand WHY I don't have him in anything. He is not a typical child. I feel like most things would just be an absolute waste of money because he'd probably get kicked out of the program. He has a ton of energy and does like to run, jump etc. So I do think some kind of sport/activity would be good for him - but its a fine line. Once he gets worked up - its hard for him to come back down. This is why I can't stand those jump places like Pump it Up - they are a disaster with him.

Anyone is a similar situation? Suggestions?

Swimming - I would try group lessons--then when he shows enough facility, a swim team. My DS8 is on the verge of an ADHD diagnosis- swimming wears him out. Once he's in the water he's fine- even with ADHD he seems to understand that he needs to be safe. Some inattention to instructions during lessons- but nothing serious. DS did step off the block as a preschooler before he could swim and against instructions. It was a brief and unpleasant experience that scared him straight. He now has a great respect for the water.