Yes, we do accept children with milder symptoms of special needs on a limited basis. However, we currently lack resources to provide instruction to students with severe symptoms. It’s essential that all students can participate in group classes without causing disruption.

While we don’t have a dedicated program for special needs students, those with milder symptoms receive individualized support within our regular classes. Our classes are flexible to accommodate varying learning speeds.

A tae kwon do class stimulates the ADHD brain, which craves novelty, by constantly changing what activity or exercise is being performed in the class, while also soothing anxiety because each class is based on familiar movements. We cycle through many different movements each class before any given one can get “boring,” and then as students move up in rank or experience, they keep adding to their repertoire of techniques.

It varies per person, but it takes at least 3 months and usually 6 months before others really notice a chance. Here’s a terrific thread of advice from parents speaking about their experiences: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParentingADHD/comments/ofx69c/adhd_kids_in_martial_arts/?rdt=59764

More and more studies are showing that martial arts practice can really help people increase their attention span and ability to focus. It’s a great way to expend energy, and the combination of routine with high activity helps with regulation. That goes for adults as well as kids, and helps those with ADHD / ADD as well as those without.

Each class has moments where the students must focus in order to do the exercise. Sometimes there is a literal target to focus on (and hit or kick!). But then between the focused actions there are breaks for the brain, as well. If at first you can only focus for a few seconds at a time, that’s okay! The more you work your attention like a muscle, the more stamina your focus will have.

Here are just a few resources and studies:

Studies show that a complex physical activity, like martial arts, strengthens neural networks in the brain, and enables kids with ADHD to practice self-control. From ADDitude Magazine: https://www.additudemag.com/kids-karate-adhd-focus-exercise/

The children who attended martial arts classes most frequently exhibited the greatest changes in observed behaviors and those who attended the fewest classes showed the least amount of change. Empirical study of tae kwon do and ADHD from Seton Hill University: https://www.ship.edu/globalassets/proteus/volume25.2-37-cooper.pdf

Children taking part in taekwondo training through a school program showed greater self-regulation, greater social responsibility, and less hyperactivity than those who didn’t: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0193397304000309?via%3Dihub

And it’s not just kids! In older adults, taekwondo has been shown to help reverse age-related mental decline.

Age-adapted Taekwondo training improves various aspects of cognitive function in people over 40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822408/