Special Strong helps special needs with top three empowering strategies to enhance your child’s well-being. From personalized fitness programs to fostering community connections, discover the transformative impact of Special Strong in empowering your child towards independence and holistic development.
You want the best for your child; there’s no question about it. But how does one ensure that their special needs child is given the best opportunities for development, growth, and empowerment? The answer lies with Special Strong. Special Strong helps special needs families find fitness and adaptive training for their children. With them, you can finally take a breath, knowing that you’re doing the absolute best for your child.
Our trainers hold nationally accredited trainer certifications and have experience with the special needs’ population. Through our certification program, we teach personal trainers ABA and brain integration techniques. All of our nutritionists are also registered dietitians and take a holistic approach to health. They don’t use diet plans or do anything extreme, and they understand the unique struggles that special needs have. Although there are a countless number of ways we help special needs, today I wanted to focus on the top three ways Special Strong helps special needs.
1.) Brain Improvement = Neurogenesis
If you haven’t had the chance, take a look at our scientific model. You’ll notice that we do a lot of different things. That’s why we have had clients leave other services to come work with us. In a sense, it’s almost like you are getting a physical therapist, occupational therapist, behavior therapist, and a personal trainer all in one package because of how we integrate so many components into our training program.
When it comes to the brain, we take a unique approach that is almost unheard of in the fitness industry. You’ve probably heard of the different brain centers across the United States who solely focus on correcting imbalances in the brain through brain training. The reason that these centers are so successful is that the techniques they use work. With our training program, you are getting the benefits of physical exercise such as increased blood flow and oxygen, which in turn make the brain exercises we do more effective than someone else doing it with a resting heart rate.
Wait! There’s More…
There was a recent study in February of 2016 that was published in The Journal of Physiology titled “Physical Exercise Increases Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Male Rats Provided It Is Aerobic and Sustained,” According to this new study, it appears that only sustained aerobic exercise improved hippocampal neurogenesis in adult animals. Compared to sedentary animals, the rats who ran voluntarily on a running wheel had 2-3 times more new hippocampal neurons at the end of the experiment. The researchers conclude that promoting neurogenesis via sustained aerobic exercise may improve learning and memory. Although this study was conducted on animals, the researchers believe that sustained aerobic activity can also increase the neuron reserve of the hippocampus in humans.
Another study on exercise showed improved behavior with thinking skills and school performance after 20 minutes of exercise in children with or without ADHD. In the second study, the children with ADHD also showed improved self-control and decreased impulsive behavior.
2.) Strength Gains = Lean Muscle
One of the most common symptoms that the special needs population experience is low muscle tone. Low muscle tone often results in poor posture and slow metabolism, which can lead to weight gain. Resistance training is a proven method of combating the low muscle tone that so many people with special needs experience. At Special Strong, we’ve partnered with Anytime Fitness. They have some of the best resistance training equipment in the United States!
According to a study published in October 2017 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, just 30 minutes twice a week of high-intensity resistance and impact training was shown to improve functional performance, as well as bone density, structure, and strength in postmenopausal women with low bone mass — and it had no negative effects.
Another study says Inactive adults experience a 3% to 8% loss of muscle mass per decade, accompanied by resting metabolic rate reduction and fat accumulation. Ten weeks of resistance training may increase lean weight by 1.4 kg. It can increase the resting metabolic rate by 7%. It can also reduce fat weight by 1.8 kg. Benefits of resistance training include improved physical performance, movement control, walking speed, functional independence, cognitive abilities, and self-esteem.
3.) Healing the Gut = Weight Loss
Most people know that to lose weight, a good place to start is by exercising. While that statement is true, you will get the most weight loss by healing the gut and addressing the quality of nutrition that is being put into your body.
Over the last decade, experts have advanced their understanding of nutrition and how it impacts the body. With their new level of understanding, they now call the gut “the second brain” or “brain-gut connection.” There is evidence that a healthy gut can curb inflammation and cortisol levels, lower your reaction to stress, improve memory, and even reduce neuroticism and social anxiety.
Have you ever heard of the neurotransmitter called serotonin? Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) was once most extensively studied as a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Now, it’s seen to be predominantly secreted in the gut. About 95% of 5-HT is estimated to be found in gut mainly within the enterochromaffin cells whereas about 5% is found in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for helping control carbohydrate cravings, moods, and more.
Hopefully, you’ve made it this far…
And have been able to learn the top three ways we help special needs.
We understand that all of this information can be overwhelming, and you may not even be sure where to start. We want to help you by offering you to try any of our services 100% free. Simply go to https://www.specialstrong.com/specialoffer, or you can schedule a call with one of our staff to answer your questions at https://calendly.com/specialstrong/15min/. If you prefer to text, we can answer your questions Monday-Saturday at 972-836-8463
PS: If you have a minute, check out some real testimonies from some of our clients who experienced everything in this article and more!
What is Special Strong?
Special Strong is an organization dedicated to promoting inclusion, health, and confidence in the special needs community. Through scientifically designed, customizable training programs, Special Strong helps children with special needs feel empowered, independent, and happy.
How Special Strong Helps Your Child
Let’s dive deeper into the top three ways Special Strong helps your special needs child, giving him or her the tools to shine.
1. Physical Fitness and Adaptive Training
We all know that exercise is an essential part of our well-being and overall health. The benefits extend beyond just physical health; there are also numerous emotional and psychological benefits. For a child with special needs, these benefits can be pivotal in their development, nurturing their self-esteem, and encouraging social interaction. Special Strong helps with this by providing fitness and adaptive training specifically catered to your child’s unique abilities and needs.
Their professionally-trained team takes your child through a range of exercises and training regimes, helping to build their strength, flexibility, agility, and more. And above all, Special Strong helps them have fun while doing it!
2. Building Confidence and Independence
Confidence and independence are powerful tools that can aid in the overall development of a special needs child. Special Strong helps cultivate these attributes through their customized fitness regimes. By achieving personal fitness goals, your child learns that they can reach their potential, fostering a sense of self-confidence and independence.
A journey with Special Strong sees your child developing resilience, perseverance, and a strong belief in their capabilities. It’s challenging, yes, but nothing compares to the fulfillment of seeing your child grow and thrive.
3. Promoting Social Interaction and Inclusion
Social interactions can be difficult for special needs children. But, with Special Strong, this challenge can be overcome. Special Strong helps foster social skills through group training sessions. Highly trained professionals facilitate interactions and encourage special needs children to build friendships and connections, thereby promoting a sense of inclusion.
Furthermore, Special Strong helps create an environment where diversity is celebrated and every child is valued. This sense of community and belonging contributes significantly to the social development of a special needs child.
Importance of Adaptive Fitness for Individuals with Special Needs
Adaptive fitness is a specialized approach to physical activity designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities or special needs. It encompasses a range of activities, exercises, and programs that are tailored to accommodate physical and cognitive limitations, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for participants. The benefits of adaptive fitness are multifaceted, extending beyond physical health to impact psychological well-being, social skills, and overall quality of life. Here are several reasons why adaptive fitness holds significant importance for individuals with special needs:
Promotes Physical Health
Adaptive fitness programs are designed to enhance cardiovascular health, improve muscle strength, increase flexibility, and enhance motor skills. For individuals with special needs, these physical gains are crucial. They not only contribute to overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases but also improve functional abilities, making daily activities more manageable and independent.
Enhances Mental Well-being
Regular physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, boosting mood, and increasing feelings of well-being. For many individuals with special needs, adaptive fitness provides a structured outlet for stress relief, helping to foster a sense of calm and psychological resilience.
Encourages Social Interaction
Adaptive fitness often involves group classes or activities, providing valuable opportunities for social interaction. These settings allow individuals with special needs to connect with peers, form friendships, and develop social skills in a supportive and inclusive environment. The sense of community and belonging that can be fostered in these groups is invaluable for emotional and social development.
Builds Confidence and Self-Esteem
Achieving fitness goals, learning new skills, and overcoming challenges in an adaptive fitness program can significantly boost an individual’s confidence and self-esteem. For people with special needs, the sense of accomplishment and empowerment gained through adaptive fitness can extend into other areas of life, fostering a more positive self-image and a can-do attitude.
Provides Adaptive Solutions
One of the key aspects of adaptive fitness is its focus on customization and flexibility. Exercises and activities are adapted to meet an individual’s specific needs, taking into account their abilities, limitations, and goals. This tailored approach ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive challenges, can participate and benefit from physical activity.
The Impact of Special Strong
So, how impactful can Special Strong be? Families across the globe can tell you: Special Strong helps transform lives. From children just beginning their fitness journeys to teenagers feeling stronger and more confident, the effects are profound.
It’s not just about physical health anymore. With Special Strong, it’s about nurturing an overall sense of wellbeing in your child. Special Strong helps foster resilience, bravery, determination, and independence in a fun, friendly, and supportive environment.
By experiencing victory in small, manageable increments, children not only improve in fitness but also in life skills. Parents report that their children are happier and have a higher sense of self-worth and self-confidence. That’s the power of how Special Strong helps.
