Special Educational Needs
What is SEN MASTER?
SEN Master (or Special Educational Needs Martial Art Therapy) is a specialized and adaptive physical and fitness education program utilizing martial arts to help individuals with special needs to learn to cope, manage and even strive to overcome their innate or acquired disabilities, impairments and handicaps via a process of discovering, empowering and maximizing their abilities, talents and strengths through the training and the inculcating of ancient martial arts culture, values, systems and techniques.
What Are Classes Like?
As different disabilities and personalities may or may not fit this form of therapy, a potential student must first go through an evaluation process. If the student is a fit, it will be decided if he/she will start in an individual or group SN class. A curriculum will be developed specifically for him/her called the Individual Training Plan (ITP). Training sessions will range from 45 mins to 1 hour with the instructors on a one-to-one (or two) basis. Students will work within their capabilities and will be challenged to progress whenever they are ready.
Conditions We Can Help
Categories Of Special Needs / Learning Disabilities that can be assisted under the SEN Master Program are :-
– Autism Spectrum Disorder
– Down Syndrome
– Specific Learning Disabilities
– Intellectual / Cognitive Disorders
– Development Delay
– Visual and/or Hearing Impairment
– Orthopedic & Muscular Disabilities
– Emotional / Psychological Disorders
– Health Impairments (ADD, ADHD, Asthma, Heart Conditions, Tourette’s, epilepsy, etc)
Achievements To Aim For
The physical training of martial arts techniques will develop fine and gross motor movements, coordination, tone muscle, instill greater balance, stability, focus and concentration in a fun and engaging manner. Such training will also provide health and fitness benefits to those who generally lack exercise which may lead to obesity and other health issues. Individuals with learning disorders will take comfort in routines of repetitive forms and drills which will give them a sense of predictability, security and calmness.
The grading and belting system in martial arts will help instil a sense of achievement and fulfilment when the student successfully completes certain levels and is promoted, thereby boosting their confidence and self esteem.
Progression
As the student progresses, more complex skills are introduced. As the student learns to comprehend and understand these concepts, he/she will learn how to receive, process, store and respond to stimuli and information. All these helps in improving brain function, memory and consequentially, cognitive capabilities.
Through martial arts’ cultural values and strict codes of conduct, the student will come to learn respect, perseverance and self control. This will imbue him/her with a sense of awareness in controlling his/her behavior and impulses.
Through the use of Structured Teaching methods of TEACCH, and the application of ABA techniques within the martial arts class, the instructor will be able to provide guidance to the individual in practicing the art meaningfully, independently and successfully.
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