Children with special needs experience a lot of feelings and sensations that are difficult for them to interpret or express. Sometimes these feelings and sensations can be so strong that they become overwhelming. It can cause your child to act out – sometimes even making them feel cornered enough to hit a playmate, a sibling or you. There are many workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special needs.
While there are medications that can help you manage the symptoms of your child’s ADD/ADHD. Many of these medications have serious and unpleasant side effects. More importantly, they do not always work. Every special needs child is different and will react to these medications differently. If you’re considering medicating your child or need something to serve as a companion solution to medication, there is an option. At Special Strong, we recommend you try out these 4 workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special nee
1. Medicine Ball Slam
In an interview with Achievement Center of Texas, Special Strong founder and personal trainer Daniel Stein said that a great exercise that helps reduce behaviors was a medicine ball slam. A medicine ball slam exercise takes place when a client holds a medicine ball in both of their hands, raises it above their head and slams it down on a mat. This exercise engages so many different muscles in the body, such as the triceps, abdomen, glutes, quads and more. The exercise succeeds in wearing the client out. This makes them less likely to act out physically in the coming hours or even days.
2. Hitting the Punching Bag
It’s important to teach your child with special needs that it’s not OK to hit people, but it is OK to hit a punching bag. It would be a great idea to have a punching bag set up in a designated area within your home. This way, your child will a safe place to experience his or her feelings without hurting others. What’s more: hitting the punching bag is a great workout. It involves cardio, and it engages muscles in the arms and the abdomen. Hitting a punching bag can also help develop balance and coordination, things many children with ADD/ADHD often struggle with.
3. Team Sports Offer Workouts That Reduce Behaviors in Children with Special Needs
Team sports are a great way to teach your child with special needs to see others as valuable and to simultaneously work out their feelings. They’re also a game, so your child doesn’t have to view exercise as a “class” or “lesson.” They’ll have fun with their friends, they’ll wear themselves out and they’ll be less likely to act out as a result. Team sports offer excellent workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special needs.
Depending on where you live, you may find a variety of organized team sports available for kids with special needs. Among the sports you might be able to sign your child up for include:
- Baseball
- Softball
- Basketball
- Soccer
- And several others
Check out your community’s or city’s website, local bulletin boards found in grocery stores or churches. They might have listings for team sports that you may be able to sign your child up for. Most neighborhoods have community centers, YMCAs, and of course schools that sponsor team sports programs for both able-bodied and able-minded children. Many of them offer similar programs for kids with special needs. Not only are they designed for kids with behavioral issues, but also for those with physical special needs.
4. Regularly Scheduled Exercise or Playtime Offers Time for Workouts That Reduce Behaviors in Children with Special Needs
Creating a consistent routine for your child with special needs can help discourage impulsive behavior. Scheduling exercise can help your child know that they can release their pent-up frustrations at a specific time. At the same time having scheduled playtimes can let them know that they are guaranteed the time to play. They also know that their playtimes will always be at specific times as well.
If you want workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special needs to work, it takes an investment. It takes an investment of both your time and effort. But the one thing it doesn’t have to take is a lot of money. Physical fitness experts and personal trainers agree that it’s important to plan for 30-minute workout sessions. You should also plan to have at least two to three sessions of rigorous play or workouts each week. Doing things this way is more likely to result in improvements in behavior.
We Work with You and Your Child
At Special Strong, we have personal trainers who understand what your child is going through. All our personal trainers have physical fitness training certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT). In order to work with special needs kids, they are also Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainers.
We believe, like most fitness centers that right workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special needs can help. However, we also know that each child has their own unique needs. We also know that not all forms of exercise work for everyone. When you come to Special Strong with your child in search of the right exercises, we can help. We will sit down with you and discuss your child’s behaviors and needs.
Once we have a better understanding of these, we will work with you and your child together. Our goal is to find the right workouts that reduce behaviors in children with special needs that will work for them. Each of the exercises in our repertoire can be adapted to meet your child’s mental and physical needs.
We understand that a standard workout routine may help your child improve their physique. But at the same time, we’re also focused on improving your child’s behavior and attention span. If your child is eight years old or older, try out a few personal training sessions through our 7-day FREE trial. See the difference for yourself today before committing to anything.