Comments on: Dear Aspie: Should Aspies Take Martial Arts?

By: Grad0507

Grad0507 — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 01:07:35 +0000

I have experience with most major martial arts modalities and also rare ones.

By: 3elegant

3elegant — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 23:47:45 +0000

1perjury

By: virgule

virgule — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:57:18 +0000

I think that if the child wants to learn martial arts, then he should be allowed to do so. There is nothing wrong with martial arts and there are many opportunities to improve oneself, autism spectrum or not. I see such request from the child as a positive step forward, that should be encouraged.

By: jupiterz child

jupiterz child — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:33:00 +0000

I wanted to enroll my son in martial arts. Paternal parental unit said no, for the very same reason given here. I knew my kid–he was not a bully. After years of being bullied, he fought back and ended up getting kicked out of school. The school system will not protect our children. In some cases, school personnel provoke the ridicule, by ridiculing a quirky child in front of others. Anything that can teach a child control and give them insight into their own emotions and behavior should be explored. If the child hates it, they won’t cooperate anyway. A few lessons should be enough for a parent to know.

By: AspieJD

AspieJD — Thu, 09 Jun 2016 23:18:34 +0000

I also believe it would be good for the child to receive training in martial arts. As for myself, from an early age I have felt the need to acquire some fighting skills – perhaps as a psychological defense mechanism, self preservation, feeling threatened – what have you. Anyways, I too have never, despite my meltdowns and episodes of mind blindness that I have experienced, have never used those skills out of anger or frustration – quite the opposite – I has given me a lot of inner peace and has proved meditative through repetitive practicing of the motions and techniques. Meditation doesn’t hurt either!

By: Haytham

Haytham — Wed, 04 May 2016 00:01:38 +0000

I apologize for the typo in my post above. I should have previewed it before posting it.

By: Haytham

Haytham — Tue, 03 May 2016 23:58:45 +0000

I didn’t know that I’m an Aspie till around 5 years ago– I thought I was just odd.

When I was about 5 (I’m 38 now), my mom enrolled me in my first Tae Kwon Do class ever. I added martial arts very quickly to be short list of obsessions.

I have gone through various systems for years. I have always sought what system seems best to me. I like to think I know a thing or two about martial arts.

In any case, I have never attacked another person with what I have learned over the years, but I have defended myself many times.

If the kid in-question is an Aspie but has no psychological difficulties, then I don’t know why it would be a problem if the kid did martial arts. I’m an Aspie, but don’t hurt people. If the kid only is an Aspie (and that’s all), then I should think the kid might enjoy it.

By: djirsas

djirsas — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:12:59 +0000

I took karate in second and third grade. The dojo explained very carefully that I could hurt someone with it, so when I was bullied and attacked, I never used my skills to defend myself. Looking back, it was a mixed blessing. I gained more self control, and at the same time, I learned to be a fast runner. So, karate and track.

By: Katidid

Katidid — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:58:55 +0000

My son, aged 13, has just been diagnosed with aspbergers. He has been learning aikido, which is a defensive and gentle martial art. I do fear that if he knew an offensive art he would use it and be in more trouble. But even from the very beginning he has been able to use aikido to defend himself and to let the bullies know they can’t harass him…. which is hos primary goal. He doesn’t like going to aikido, he can find it a bit intimidating but, he goes and he learns and he loves the control it gives him.

By: Ettina

Ettina — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 20:17:09 +0000

Research has shown that kids involved in martial arts tend to be less aggressive than kids involved in other sports – even sports that don’t involve combat at all.