ASD TSD
Angus Rogers and Ritchie Wood are running one to one sessions and classes for people with additional needs at the Heads of the Valleys Tang Soo Do Studio as well as offering bespoke onsite programs at residential homes or at educational facilities. We also have the ability to do sessions online either live or pre recorded.
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We want to enhance the lives of all the individuals we work with by offering them a safe structured routine of exercise which can bring wider benefits. Students will have fun, learn and progress and become part of a club and community
Background
Angus Rogers is a Martial Arts Instructor of Tang Soo Do , he has been training for over 20 years and teaching for 10 years. He has overcome brain damage and dyspraxia as well as having personal experience as his brother had autism. He has used this along with his teaching experience to help people of all ages and backgrounds overcome their pain and struggles through developing transferable skills and coping mechanisms with a Martial Arts program as the catalyst.
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Ritchie Wood has worked with people with additional needs for over twenty five years. He has managed and helped set up residential homes for people with autism and other conditions and helped people with behaviours that can challenge to increase their quality of life and independence. He has a Masters degree in autism and a Level 4 Diploma in PBS (Positive Behaviour Support), he also practices Tang Soo Do.
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Aims & Objectives
Further details, research and information can be found further down the page
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Research and our experience shows this programme offers:
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A fun, safe setting for interacting with others
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Reduction in challenging behaviours and aggression, increase in coping strategies
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Increase in concentration, engagement, social interaction
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Increased well being and self esteem, produces pride and leadership
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We can offer individual or group sessions based on the needs of each person
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Sessions can be at the person’s home, in a private gym or at an educational setting
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We are happy to meet families and individuals to discuss needs
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Repetitive skills training, e.g. repeating patterns, blocking, punching, kicking, reduces stereotypical repetitive behaviours in children with ASD with lasting results.
Any level of ability can take part; we will find a way to ensure sessions are enjoyable and worthwhile for every person; we have a lot of experience in dealing with different levels of communication, challenging behaviour and physical abilities
Research & Deeper Reading
Social groups:
Finding the right setting or group is a major challenge, they have to be inclusive but not overbearing, social but not too sociable, predictable but interesting!
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Research says – if done in the right way it creates a fun, safe setting for interacting with others.
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Challenging behaviour/aggression: reduction in aggression, increase in coping strategies – seen in our experience and by parents and schools.
ASD and the unique benefits of Martial Arts:
Repetitive skills training, e.g. repeating patterns, blocking, punching, kicking, reduces stereotypical repetitive behaviours in children with ASD with lasting results.
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Because the requests for repetitive movements are from an external source (instructor/training partner), this is not connected to the internal need for repetitive behaviours (by the person).
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ASD and the benefits of exercise:
Exercise increases motor skills, muscular strength and endurance, increases fitness, broadens engagement, social interaction and independence. Helps with concentration and can reduce challenging behaviours. Success comes from having people who understand - how to communicate, motivate and adapt approaches; this can be done by using routine and visual learning.
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https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/autism-exercise-benefits
Regulating bodily state - Polyvagal nerve theory:
How to make someone feel safe in your presence?
If someone can not regulate their bodily state they usually feel under threat and defensive - in a ‘fight or flight’ mode; this means reduced ability to communicate, relax and function on all levels. If a regulated state can be achieved those things become possible. Maintaining a regulated state can also reduce co-existing conditions like sensory issues, hypersensitivity, issues with food, problems with the gut etc.
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We provide a fun, safe space, this can be done at the gym or in someone’s own environment.
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Breathing and relaxation (neural exercises) can lead to neuro-physiological optimisation e.g. long exhaling of breath leads to a natural relaxation that everyone will experience. Regular breathing runs through every part of Ki Gong and Tang Soo Do.
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Intensive Interaction:
‘Tuning in’, spending time and communicating on each person’s level leads to trusting, positive interactions. We tailor the approach according to the needs of our students.
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Presentation of Our Work So Far
This video is a little dated now as was filmed in 2021. However it shows our principles and philosophies that we still continue today. Hopefully we will do an updated one soon that we can share
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Click Image to view full presentation
Contact Information
ANGUS ROGERS - 07774804151 hovtangsoodo@gmail.com​
RITCHIE WOOD - 07896417834 ritchierwood@aol.com