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Does anyone have children who train BJJ or other martial arts?

Gabrielsdad

New Member
My son has been training BJJ for around 4 years now and is really into it. Basically, it's a grappling martial art that teaches kids discipline, self-defense etc. It also gets them socialising with other kids in an ordered setting. My kid loves it and it's really impacted his life in many positive ways.

I recently found this article which is about an autistic child who is quite advanced in the sport. Basically it breaks down why/how it is beneficial to him and his family. Half of the article is a q&a with his father who details why it helps his son and how his son loves it too. There's one quote from his dad which sticks out to me where he says "After I am gone, I want him to always have a “safe place” to go that is always relatable to happy times and peace for him as an adult. What he does for a living is inconsequential as long as he is a kind, compassionate and a friend to those who need him." This really resonated with me in particular.

https://bjjtribes.com/bjj-kids-competitor-tyler-metcalf-autism-awareness-in-jiu-jitsu/

Seriously, if anyone has a child who you think may be interested in this then give it a go. You may be surprised at how your child reacts and it may become a really rewarding activity for them as well as yourself.
 
Know of several members who belong to this site, including myself who have benefited from martial arts training. For myself it was taekwondo, and over time I became a 1st dan blackbelt. I don't attend a dojo anymore, but it is helpful in my life and how I consider myself.

The training was offered for free by the school I attended, and it made a true difference in my life. The repetition and constant practise over those years (and afterward) focused me, made me feel stronger, able to defend myself and more adept and able. So I agree with you, martial arts certainly helped.

I really liked the routine of it, and the fact that there was only one way to do a punch or a kick in an acceptable way. Each class was taught in the same way as the previous classes.

Swimming lessons and safety around water are another important help for austistic children, as many are attracted to and facinated by water from a young age.
 
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My daughter has been in Archery through middle and high school and loves the discipline and emotional release of the sport. It is very much like a martial art.

I've watched proudly as she's improved, and worked through a few traumas with the help of this sport. I recommend it.
 
Fellow Autistic martial artist here. Several styles, multiple black belts, and lots of stories. I can't say enough good things about finding a community in this group. I only feel at home in dojo's and barns, no place else. Its so helpful to have that!
 
My son did BJJ for a few years until lock down then never went back once the gym re-opened.

He seemed to enjoy it a the time but once the gym re-opended, he swore he never enjoyed it and refused to go back!

It's a shame as he did seem happy during the classes and it is a good skill to have.
 
I did some months of Taekwondo, some years of Judo, some months of Sanda, and now I enjoy another discipline of martial arts. It has been very helpfull for me.

I would like to try MMA in the future, in a relaxed way.

I got my daugther to some martial arts classes, but its not her thing. She preffer swimming, which is a great activity too.
 
I took martial arts for awhile. I have a third degree black belt. I originally was going to take a year off of training in 2020 because I had two part time jobs and was doing so many things that I was wearing myself to pure exhaustion. I needed time to find a balance for everything in my life. But then Covid and the quarantine hit and I haven’t been back since. Not sure if I can put into my schedule now since I still am pretty busy throughout the week.
 
My son has been training BJJ for around 4 years now and is really into it. Basically, it's a grappling martial art that teaches kids discipline, self-defense etc. It also gets them socialising with other kids in an ordered setting. My kid loves it and it's really impacted his life in many positive ways.

I recently found this article which is about an autistic child who is quite advanced in the sport. Basically it breaks down why/how it is beneficial to him and his family. Half of the article is a q&a with his father who details why it helps his son and how his son loves it too. There's one quote from his dad which sticks out to me where he says "After I am gone, I want him to always have a “safe place” to go that is always relatable to happy times and peace for him as an adult. What he does for a living is inconsequential as long as he is a kind, compassionate and a friend to those who need him." This really resonated with me in particular.

BJJ Kids Competitor Tyler Metcalf - Autism Awareness In Jiu-Jitsu - BjjTribes

Seriously, if anyone has a child who you think may be interested in this then give it a go. You may be surprised at how your child reacts and it may become a really rewarding activity for them as well as yourself.
At what age would be most ideal? And what is the level of speech that they have to have? I think i would like to take my son to it but when he is older. Right now he is verbal but only about 25 words or so (3.5 yrs old). Sometimes he follows direction and sometimes he doesnt. Sometimes its hard to tell if he is paying attention at all.
 

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