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

[Anonymous]

My 12 yo daughter with an ADHD and a hypotonia diagnosis has expressed interest in ballet classes. She also wants to play a team sport. Does anybody have suggestions for how to help an uncoordinated kid who wants to be active? She wants to play basketball but she's so slow and has no stamina. Which if any sports have other kids with hypotonia had success with?

[Anonymous]

My DD is only 6, so that may change things, but she does much better with non-team sports. She loves ballet and gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

I would do swim and ballet.

[Anonymous]

Try "girls on the run" or swimming.

[Anonymous]

My boy likes karate and playing defense in soccer because he is not a fast runner and doesn't have a good kick. But he can stop a ball.

Has mild hypotonia and motor planning issues.

[Anonymous]

My son with ADHD, hypotonia and a coordination disorder did two years of ballet at MYB. He worked hard and his teacher, who was aware of his issues, was happy with his progress, but there was no denying the fact that he was always a second behind the others in his reactions, which is problematic for line synchronization, and his movements tended to be robotic instead of smooth and graceful. He also had issues with flexibility and foot alignment, and at that age all these apparently minor details start becoming really important, so he stopped because he knew he wasn't good enough.

We are starting up gym again, agility (perhaps parkour) to be exact. Something where he expends energy but doesn't need to have perfect form, and can still have fun.

The team sport ship sailed a long time ago. His slow processing speed doesn't allow him to communicate fast enough with his team-mates, plus, well, his coordination is REALLY bad, despite all his hard work. There's just no point.

I thought of swimming, and we might try that. With a private instructor who can be hands-on enough to teach him specific skills, he might find it enjoyable to beat his own times.

[Anonymous]

Horseback riding, along with ballet or swim. They are individual sports that focus on having them learn to strengthen and control their bodies. Therapeutic horseback riding is excellent and would help her a lot. There are scholarships available for some people who can't afford it. I filled out paperwork for one of my students who got a lot out of it. They often have wait lists, so call now. If she wants to play soccer, have the doctor do a medical waiver so she can play down with younger kids. My daughter was a preemie and petite and did much better with the kids a level down, although she was not athletic at all. She at least had a chance at getting near the ball. The house league will be fine with that as soon as they realize she is not going to be a powerhouse that overwhelms the younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Ballet would be great. Just make sure it's a "teen" class.

[Anonymous]

My DS,9, with ASD/ADHD/hypotonia/developmental coordination disorder plays squash, basketball, and swimming. Kids with hypotonia can build stamina too.

Plan on long distance running/cross country/track when he gets older. My brother with similar issues runs marathons and triathlons and does well at them as a teen and adult. Crew/rowing is also a possibility.

Just make sure she achieves a level of competency before deciding a sport is not for her. Most everyone sucks at the beginning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS,9, with ASD/ADHD/hypotonia/developmental coordination disorder plays squash, basketball, and swimming. Kids with hypotonia can build stamina too.

Plan on long distance running/cross country/track when he gets older. My brother with similar issues runs marathons and triathlons and does well at them as a teen and adult. Crew/rowing is also a possibility.

Just make sure she achieves a level of competency before deciding a sport is not for her. Most everyone sucks at the beginning.

Where do you play squash around here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Horseback riding, along with ballet or swim. They are individual sports that focus on having them learn to strengthen and control their bodies. Therapeutic horseback riding is excellent and would help her a lot. There are scholarships available for some people who can't afford it. I filled out paperwork for one of my students who got a lot out of it. They often have wait lists, so call now. If she wants to play soccer, have the doctor do a medical waiver so she can play down with younger kids. My daughter was a preemie and petite and did much better with the kids a level down, although she was not athletic at all. She at least had a chance at getting near the ball. The house league will be fine with that as soon as they realize she is not going to be a powerhouse that overwhelms the younger kids.

PP, is there a particular place in the area that you recommend for the horseback riding?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS,9, with ASD/ADHD/hypotonia/developmental coordination disorder plays squash, basketball, and swimming. Kids with hypotonia can build stamina too.

Plan on long distance running/cross country/track when he gets older. My brother with similar issues runs marathons and triathlons and does well at them as a teen and adult. Crew/rowing is also a possibility.

Just make sure she achieves a level of competency before deciding a sport is not for her. Most everyone sucks at the beginning.

Where do you play squash around here?

We belong to private clubs with squash courts. Results gym on the hill has squash courts as does the Potomac school, I've been told. Try a Google search.

[Anonymous]

There is a squash program at Sport and Health Bethesda.

I would think about a sport where kids routinely start fresh in high school. At our MCPS school ultimate Frisbee, and crew, and the unified sports are team options for inexperienced athletes.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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?