skiing for childern with special needs

Anna Skiing4all wrote:Hi there

Why not have a look at http://www.skiing4all.com? It is run by a British Psychologist and Ski Instructor in Zell am See, Austria, specifically for children and adults with Autism, Down's Syndrome, ADHD and other learning disabiities.

Best wishes

Anna

Looks like a great idea, and great program. So much emphasis seems to placed on the physically disabled in ski programs. My son who suffers physical dyspraxia as part of his PDD, became a good snowboarder in his teens and I'm sure that has helped him physically and spatially since. My son was able to snowboard on a weekly basis, so I wonder though, about the benefits of short, infrequent exposures to skiing.

Trencher

Hi Trencher

Thanks for the words of approval. Skiing4all has been created exactly because there were no specialist programs for people with cogntitive disabilities. I saw that many organisations catering for both type of disabilities did not always have the qualified staff to help with specific learning difficulties.

It's good to hear about your son's success! Excellent that he has a chance to practise regularly. Many kids, especially those from the UK, do not have this option. They do benefit immensely though even from a short bteak. Such a skiing program helps them discover new possibilities and overcome personal limits, increases self-confidence and greately improves communication skills necessary in the new environment. It can also be an inclusive experience as both healthy and special needs skiers ski side by side. Finally, even a short break promotes mobility while improving coordination and psychomotor skills.

Thank you for visiting the site, best wishes to you and your son

Anna

Anna,

What a lovely service you have! It looks just so special. I am glad that you have posted, it would be nice to recommend. You obviously have captured the hearts of the locals, judging by the support that you are receiving.

Most years I get to meet with the folk from Disability Snowsport, and every year, I say I will do the training. I never do, I am ashamed.

Thanks, Dave, for your uplifting words. Maybe you will be inspired to train this year...

It wasn't easy at first to get any local support, especially when it came to funding children from the UK but they broke in finally seeing all the dedication. We have just offered a free ski break to one English family with a special needs girl, they are due to arrive in November. I guess when you try hard, you will get sponsors even during the financial crisis. I am really excited for the new ski season, at Kaprun it officially starts on Saturday 7th November! YES!!! :D

Best, Anna

7th November, wish I was there. I cannot resist a bit of humour. The following is true:

I studied psychology under Michael Argyle. For the uninitiated, Professor Argyle was Emeritus Professor at Oxford Brookes University, a leader in his field. The lessons I learned from him opened up my life.

I might have neglected to say that as part of my engineering degree, I was supposed to be attending electronics lectures, a contender for the worlds most boring subject. I quickly sussed out that all the best looking women were on the Phsychology course, so started attending a few of the lectures.

The Michael Argyle presentation stays in my memory as the best life presentation I have seen. The lessons I learned in one afternoon stayed with me.

Sorry Anna, I have digressed. It wasn't until I reached the Skiing4all objectives that I realised how big the potential is, both the the individual, and for the family/carers.

A question if I may. You offer this service over the whole age range. Do you feel it the case that the prime benefit would be felt by the very young, say 5 - 10 age group?

Glad you have gained so much from the psychology lectures! I feel I did learn a lot at Royal Holloway London where I did my BSc in Psychology, then at the LSE during my Masters course and finally while studying for my PhD at Cambridge. Still, I believe I have learnt most from the everyday experience with the special needs kids and my inspiration for Skiing4all came from the sheer love of the snow and the desire to offer it to everyone. Someone told me once, seeing me ski with a girl with a Down's Syndrome, that I "looked like a missionary trying to spread the news of a white happiness". Well, I do feel like this sometimes. I want everyone to have at least the chance to try skiing and, hopefully, to grow to love is as much as I do!

As for the age group, I see no restrictions at all. Although in my experience the 5-10 year olds tend to learn fastest, my programs are relevant to any age group. We never stop learning and developing our skills, do we? This year I will be skiing with a 64-year-old lady with autism who has never been on skis before and I will continue training am autistic girl (21) who will enjoy her 8th year skiing!

By the way, what's the weather like in the UK? It's so sunny here and the fresh white powder is so inviting! Fancy a little escape? We are about to announce special offer for November/December programs (up to 150 Euros off) so keep checking the website http://www.skiing4all.com/Promotions.html.

I suggest you hire a personal instructor for your child. Multiple ski resorts offers lessons on some cases just like yours. They could guide your child while skiing.