Benefits of Adaptive Gymnastics

One of the things I have done with Chelsea since she was a year old is take her to adaptive (or "special needs")gymnastics classes. It is SO GOOD for her development. Here are some reasons why:

1. Gymnastics forces the brain to create new and adaptable motor plans. You do things in gymnastics that you normally wouldn't, so the brain is working extra hard to develop ways to do what you are telling it to.

2. Lots of crossing midline here! This is something that they really try to emphasize in occupational therapy, and it comes naturally in gymnastics. Plenty of placing feet and hands at or across midline as you work on vault, beam, bars, floor, etc. It also is a HUGE help with balance, something Chelsea REALLY struggled with, but does much better now.

3. The trampoline is great is so many ways for your body! From teaching the basics of jumping to forcing the brain to think about how to connect two different jumps (motor planning, two-step directions, coordinating the body to absorb the impact of one jump and transition to the next)

4.  Chelsea has to follow directions from her coach, and really think about what she is told. Instructions aren't simple "go get your shoes" it is more like "Put your right foot here, left hand here, and squeeze your muscles"

5. Grip strength! Most people know that gymnasts are STRONG! Their hands are strong because they are constantly hanging on bars, gripping the bars and simultaneously holding up their body weight, etc. 

6. Shoulder/ arm/ wrist strength! The majority of adults can't do a handstand, even against a wall. One of the reasons is that is a motor plan you never learned. Another reason is that most lack the shoulder and wrist strength needed. You know what else shoulder, arm, wrist, and grip strength helps? Handwriting!!!! 

7. Core strength! Every event in gymnastics- floor, bars, vault, beam, and trampoline, requires an enormous amount of core strength. Hands up, whose child had an OT that wants to work on core strength? With SATB2, I would guess at least 75-90% of us! It is soo necessary for everything we do, even when we don't realize we are using our core. 

8. IT IS SO MUCH FUN!!!!! At the gym Chelsea goes to, they do princess play dates where princesses come visit, summer camps when the last day is a carnival with balloons and cotton candy and bounce houses... And gymnastics by itself if super, super fun! Chelsea LOVES going each time!