Local autistic children shine in Jujitsu/Muay Thai Kickboxing
In many ways, Wesley Wyman is your typical high school junior.
He runs varsity track for Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga and can bench press more weight then anyone else on the team.
He types 95 words per minute with few mistakes and has earned a green belt in Jujitsu/Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Wesley is also autistic.
Four years ago, autism might have stood in the way of his accomplishments, but because of a dedicated teacher, a tenacious mother and a sport based on routine and discipline, Wesley has flourished.
He runs varsity track for Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga and can bench press more weight then anyone else on the team.
He types 95 words per minute with few mistakes and has earned a green belt in Jujitsu/Muay Thai Kickboxing.
Wesley is also autistic.
Four years ago, autism might have stood in the way of his accomplishments, but because of a dedicated teacher, a tenacious mother and a sport based on routine and discipline, Wesley has flourished.
He started martial arts classes at Chino's Combined Martial Science when he was 12 with owner/instructor Tony Allen.
Wesley had so much success that in September 2008, the studio began a Saturday class specifically for children with autism.
Allen first met the Wyman family in 2005 when Wesley's sister Jamie started martial arts classes.
Catherine, a single mother, would bring both children to the studio.
Wesley would sit in a corner and play a hand-held video game while Jamie would train.
He had been diagnosed with autism before he was 2, exhibiting such systems as head banging, hand flapping, delayed speech and anti-social behavior.
"He was always sitting alone," said Allen, who has a seventh-degree black belt. "But sometimes I would see him watching the class."
Catherine noticed something else about her son.
"At home, he would start mimicking his sister, doing the same moves she was doing," Catherine said. "All I could think, is that he must have picked up some things between playing his Game Boy."
Catherine approached Allen about teaching her son martial arts.
Allen agreed.
"I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Allen, who opened his studio more than 25 years ago. "I didn't have any experience with autism, but I knew the benefits of martial arts, and I've never run away from a challenge."
Wesley didn't like to be touched or confined, which didn't mesh with the holds, moves and goals of martial arts.
Allen combined patience with reward/consequence-based teaching and, in time, Wesley grew, not only in martial arts, but in all aspects of his life.
"Nothing happens overnight," Allen said. "It took a lot of time, training and repetition, but one thing about Wesley, once he got it -- he's got it, and he does it perfect every time."
Wesley stayed with it and Catherine saw a huge difference in her son.
"He has friends now, more confidence and is happier," Catherine said. "All his years of occupational therapy didn't do as much for him as learning martial arts."
During the four years, Allen was so intensely involved with the Wyman family that something unexpected happened. Tony Allen and Catherine Wyman fell in love and last August got married.
Living with Wesley has given Allen additional insight into the world of autism and real-life benefits of martial arts.
Allen said he believed other autistic children could benefit from his training and philosophies.
Allen discussed the idea of starting a class specifically designed for children with autism with his son Josh, 28, also a master instructor.
"I was very interested in being involved with the class," Josh said.
Josh's patient and laid back manner is an asset working with autistic students. He understands there are varying degrees of autism and structures the class so all students are included and can learn at their own pace.
Lessons are first taught to the whole class and then individual attention is given.
Enrollment is currently low for the class, but Josh is hoping that more parents will take a chance with martial arts.
"I saw the difference it made in my step-brother," he said. "Through the culture of martial arts I believe we can definitely make a difference in these kids' lives."
Combined Martial Science, Inc.
What: Mixed Martial Arts for Kids with Autism
Where: 13611-A 12th St., Chino
When: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: First month $160, which includes first and last months' fees plus uniform, and then $60 per month
Information: (909)628-4261
diana.sholley@inlandnewspapers.com
Wesley had so much success that in September 2008, the studio began a Saturday class specifically for children with autism.
Allen first met the Wyman family in 2005 when Wesley's sister Jamie started martial arts classes.
Catherine, a single mother, would bring both children to the studio.
Wesley would sit in a corner and play a hand-held video game while Jamie would train.
He had been diagnosed with autism before he was 2, exhibiting such systems as head banging, hand flapping, delayed speech and anti-social behavior.
"He was always sitting alone," said Allen, who has a seventh-degree black belt. "But sometimes I would see him watching the class."
Catherine noticed something else about her son.
"At home, he would start mimicking his sister, doing the same moves she was doing," Catherine said. "All I could think, is that he must have picked up some things between playing his Game Boy."
Catherine approached Allen about teaching her son martial arts.
Allen agreed.
"I had no idea what I was getting myself into," said Allen, who opened his studio more than 25 years ago. "I didn't have any experience with autism, but I knew the benefits of martial arts, and I've never run away from a challenge."
Wesley didn't like to be touched or confined, which didn't mesh with the holds, moves and goals of martial arts.
Allen combined patience with reward/consequence-based teaching and, in time, Wesley grew, not only in martial arts, but in all aspects of his life.
"Nothing happens overnight," Allen said. "It took a lot of time, training and repetition, but one thing about Wesley, once he got it -- he's got it, and he does it perfect every time."
Wesley stayed with it and Catherine saw a huge difference in her son.
"He has friends now, more confidence and is happier," Catherine said. "All his years of occupational therapy didn't do as much for him as learning martial arts."
During the four years, Allen was so intensely involved with the Wyman family that something unexpected happened. Tony Allen and Catherine Wyman fell in love and last August got married.
Living with Wesley has given Allen additional insight into the world of autism and real-life benefits of martial arts.
Allen said he believed other autistic children could benefit from his training and philosophies.
Allen discussed the idea of starting a class specifically designed for children with autism with his son Josh, 28, also a master instructor.
"I was very interested in being involved with the class," Josh said.
Josh's patient and laid back manner is an asset working with autistic students. He understands there are varying degrees of autism and structures the class so all students are included and can learn at their own pace.
Lessons are first taught to the whole class and then individual attention is given.
Enrollment is currently low for the class, but Josh is hoping that more parents will take a chance with martial arts.
"I saw the difference it made in my step-brother," he said. "Through the culture of martial arts I believe we can definitely make a difference in these kids' lives."
Combined Martial Science, Inc.
What: Mixed Martial Arts for Kids with Autism
Where: 13611-A 12th St., Chino
When: 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturdays
Cost: First month $160, which includes first and last months' fees plus uniform, and then $60 per month
Information: (909)628-4261
diana.sholley@inlandnewspapers.com
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