Nicholas’ Sports Interest Blooms
[image url=”https://thebridginginstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/bball.jpg” alignment=”left” margin_left=”0″ margin_right=”10″ margin_top=”0″ margin_bottom=”10″ width=”200″ height=”200″]Last summer, 10-year-old Nicholas showed no interest in playing sports. Muscular coordination and maintaining balance were such challenges for the fifth grader that it was difficult for him to enjoy any athletics, his mother Diane described.
“His motor skills were always poor. I’m talking basic skills, such as balancing (on two feet),” Diane said. “He used to trip a lot, and his feet turned in, so he didn’t walk well.”
But, that no longer is the case. Just eight months after starting Kinetic Konnections, Nicholas now chooses to play basketball or toss a ball around. He wants to begin Jujitsu lessons.
“After working with Cara, everything began to change,” Diane said. “There is no question in my mind that her work helped him tremendously.”
Nicholas came to Kinetic Konnections last fall, hoping to improve his motor skills. He is considered to have an autistic spectrum disorder, and at that time, was challenged with basic balance and coordination.
After five visits in a two-month period, Nicholas made remarkable improvements, Diane said. He began shifting his weight left to right. His overall body strength improved and he was using a proper heel-to-toe walking gait. In addition, he was standing taller and walking without unnecessary shoulder movement.
Although Nicholas had worked with various physical and occupational therapists prior to his visit to the Park Ridge studio, Diane said the work with Kinetic Konnections has been the most successful and beneficial for her son. The exercises Nicholas performed as “homework” were easy to understand and time efficient, she added.
“The changes occurred very quickly. Quicker than anything I’ve ever seen,” she said.
“It jump started some motor skills and his interest in sports. He was never interested in sports before but now he is playing basketball. And, he is trying horseback riding.”
“It is just fun to see him want to try all these activities,” Diane concludes.