I have to be honest and say I know very little about karate.\r
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However, I know a lot about my son, who is a little guy with sensory integration disorder and significant motor impairments. Sensei Jeff Kohn conducts a special class for kids with extra challenges and he is GREAT. He's patient, but persistent and if your child gets therapy, he's a great counterpoint to the typically female, typically gentle therapeutics settings (which are all good, but this ""different"" type of class is soooooo exciting and different to my son-- ""I met MEN!""). Also terrific is the fact that older, experienced kids are enlisted to help the new kids. The mentoring/modeling is terrific and really provides an extra incentive to tackle the task at hand.\r
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Don't expect your kids to be coddled, but do expect them to have fun and learn. I've noticed big differences in my son that I attribute directly to his time with Sensei Jeff Kohn. Other parents who have been with him for years can't say enough good things about him. It is truly astonishing what some of the kids have achieved with his guidance.\r
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The dojo has all types of classes, but the ""Kids Can Do"" is for ages 4 and up, for children with a wide variety of special needs. The dojo (classroom) is not the typical ""dance studio"" set-up, but looks more like a large gymnastics gym. Parents who have been on the therapy circuit for a bit will recognize elements of OT, PT and behavioral therapy in the dojo-- all the kids recognize is that they're learning karate and having fun doing it.\r
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Check it out and check out their website. This is the best thing I've come across for my son in YEARS.
Pros: Great under-the-radar therapy for kids with special needs.
Cons: Limited schedule, but worth working around.
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