Aspies teen is attending my Krav Maga class. Suggestions?

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I was informed yesterday that a teen with Aspergers will be attending my Krav Maga (self defense) class. I am crash course reading threw the forum for info.

His dad is attending my class tomorrow to check it out. Are there any questions on specific topics I should ask the dad? Or any other info our suggestions would be appreciated.


Thanks.

Is he okay with touch?
Will I need to repeat instruction? But word it better lol, I mean I kind of space out if I am given a bunch of instructions at once.
Is he comfortable with working with people he doesn't know?
Will he tell me if he is confused about something? I don't usually tell other people if I don't understand something, so you will probably after every, or every other technique make sure he understands it.
Frequently if someone has aspergers they are clumsy or something which will probably need to be considered I guess.

Sometimes physical coordination can be an issue. He may need lots of repetition to learn sequences of moves. Teach in small steps. A to B... one step at a time instead of A+B+C+D = E.

Find out if he has any sensory issues, like Alex suggested. Some have sensitivities to touch, (I doubt it if his parents are enrolling him in physical defense though), fluorescent lights, bright light, sound... just ask if he has any that you need to be aware of and be honest in your ability to accommodate them.

Kids on the spectrum are at high risk for bullying. Be aware of that and ask him and his parents their goals in enrolling. What does he want to learn and why? If he has a special interest in martial arts, you may just have your best student ever on your hands.

Some kids need more time to process instructions - it can take awhile to sink in. Some have trouble with memory and with recall. He may do something perfectly for several classes in a row and then suddenly seem like he 'lost it'. Be patient. It's not willful or intentional on his part.

Kids with Aspergers are of normal to high intelligence. Don't talk down to him or treat him like he is stupid or slow. His difficulties in processing information or physical activities are not an indicator of his intelligence. Give him that respect and he'll most likely return it.

Be prepared. Asperger's is known for blunt communication. It is not intentional rudeness. It is a lack of innate understanding of how other people perceive your words. No matter how rude he may seem, please, first assume he had no intention of causing harm,anger, etc... It is okay to calmly and rationally explain why his words may have been inappropriate but do not assume he is just a 'bad kid'. He will most likely take your words very literally. Be aware of that. Aspies are known for applying dictionary meanings to the words people use - people often do not realize how much colloquial expression is in their language. Be rational and factual.

He may tend to go on and on about his special interest. It is okay to redirect that energy. Remember - rational and factual. "Right now is class time - we can talk about that after class is over."

Every kid with autism is a complete and unique individual all their own with a unique set of challenges and strengths. More individual than snowflakes. You will learn his idiosyncrasies as you get to know him. Don't assume anything about him or his autism. Take it one lesson at a time and learn together. And don't be afraid to aks the parents for their input and support if anything confuses or confounds you. chances are, they wouldn't be enrolling him if he was ill suited to the environment. Many times, parents are looking for someone who will take the above into consideration. Easier said than done!

Kudos for you for going this extra step and taking the time to learn. Thank YOU!

Thanks for all the good info. I'm getting excited to meet this kid.

The fact that you're on here studying up on AS, tells me that this kid will be in good hands in your class. I might suggest that you ask him straight up, whether he gets overloaded when people are up in his space, which obviously has to happen in any MA environment. Make sure he knows exactly what is going to be done in the class, and make sure there he feels OK to come to you and ask questions that many people would laugh at him for, etc. If he starts acting like he's weirded out by something, just back off, and don't try to push him to "man up", etc. That doesn't work on people with AS usually.

Honestly I don't know whether I'd suggest that the rest of the class should be told something or not. That's probably something that the AS student should decide, or at least suggest. Depending on how high-functioning he is, it's possible that nobody will be able to tell that he's any different from the rest. And since we lack body language, it's easier for us to surprise our opponent in any kind of a match, as our faces and body might say we're backing down in fear, but we're actually psyched up to lay the opponent out cold (per the rules and etiquette of whatever the sport, of course). And vice-versa...

Charles

You'll have to use personal observation. Don't buy into the stereo types of AS, we're as different from each other as anyone else. One thing I would suggest is that you assess his self control because you're not teaching a combat sport, you're teaching a combat system for the street. Some of us tend to view people as objects. If this is the case with him the greatest lessons you will teach him are self-restraint and self-control.

Agreed. I am big on safety in training. Good points everyone.

How the hell is the one of the most lethal and inhumane martial art being taught to civilians? I was under the impression this was only taught to the IDF.

Anyway, check him for touch sensetivities, no loud noises, don't shout encouragments, keep your routine going solid.

Because it's self-defense. You want to be as "lethal and inhumane" as you can possibly be if somebody has cornered you with the intent to kill you, rape you, or do something similarly unpleasant to you.

That does bring up the point of learning to identify dangerous situations, though. Even NTs have problems with it. To act, you have to identify the situation as dangerous, and do so quickly. It's important that you don't misinterpret a non-dangerous situation or a non-serious fight--say, a scuffle with a sibling--as something warranting the same level of force you'd use if you were defending the life of yourself or someone else. And you have to know which sort of situation you want to risk fighting, and when you can run, and when you can try to talk your way out. I think that's part of any self-defense class, though.

That's what I was going to say. You said it better than I could have.

Yeah, make sure he knows how not to go too far while on the mat.

Thanks again everyone. Ya Krav Maga is designed to end a attack asap. The class I teach is held at a hospital here in Austin. A lot of the ER nurses take the class. Attacks from drugged out people are common in the ER.

Unfortunate but 100% true. And with gun control being pushed upon us with the force of a line of locomotives, we'll need hand-to-hand and combat skills, capable of taking down an armed attacker, or we'll be in deep sh*t as a society in a few years...

Charles

I wasn't talking about the mat. I was talking about making sure he doesn't permanently injure someone out on the 'street' (e.g. bully at school).

Everyone's different you should ask his dad first, and if necessary ask the student. He may not need anything more than a patient teacher. I'd be annoyed if everyone I went people treated me specially because I rarely have meltdowns in normal situations. I probably woulnd't need anything but a patient teacher/training partnet to give me a second or two to deal with the noise and contact.

it's wonderful for aspies to learn krav maga. we get bullied a lot, and are at risk for getting serously hurt and even murdered, much higher than NTs. we can't read people and situations very well and sometimes fighting back is the only way we have of defending ourselves.
i used to have rage attacks, which stopped when i learned self defense, because i hit the punching bags repeatedly and got angry and hit like crazy, and then stopped on command. it helped me control myself.
aspies might be hyper. i was in my youth, extremely so. i attacked those punching bags like there's no tomorrow and was very eager to learn.
some aspies, me included, have a hard time learning new things, not understand instructions. and might be afraid of failing to understand what the instructor is saying, of being around strangers. i was very worried when i first started learning, but turned out i had the time of my life. had to drop out because of aspie stomach aches. damn. all those running and jumping hurt my stomach.
motor skills could be a problem. i had to repeat the same thing many times till i learned, but i was the best if i say so myself. he might be a slow student, but probably very good.
maybe you should stand a little distance from him. i know it drives me crazy when people stand very close to me, i'm not talking about in combat, but when talking.
i was afraid of when they pair you in couples during classes, i'd be alone and i'd be embarrassed. i always ended up alone, but then i had the instructor to pair up with.
krav mage is the best. there's nothing like it.