Occupational Gymnastics

I visited my friend's girls' gymnastics class yesterday to check it out. The Kiddos were both in gymnastics starting a year ago for about 6 months. I have mixed feelings about our experience then. First, I was the only parent at Mommy and Me class with 2 kids. One that was exhibiting avoidance behaviors and one that felt like he needed to act like his big brother. Second, I think the coach contributed massively to The Elder's first evaluation leading to a misdiagnosis. Well, an UNdiagnosis, which is worse. What really sucked is that I like her and she handled both of them very well and I trusted her because she has private lessons with children with autism and even mentioned to me how The Elder's actions resembled those students of hers. But when we "graduated" to the preschooler class (without Mommies) he did a 180 in the behavior department, which the finger was pointed at me (which is why the psych suggested a parenting therapist for me - pffft!). Never mind that he was in a class with his brother and other children of that age before, and then switched to a class with 4 year olds (The Elder was 3 at the time). Never mind that it was a LOT more structured and not a "free play" session like it was with the toddlers. No, it's my parenting. (But I'm not bitter.)

I digress...

So as I was saying, I went to observe this class and was really impressed with it. The other gym was a competitive gym for gymnastics and cheerleading. They had 2-3 classes going on at the same time in a HUGE open gym (not overstimulating at all - pffft). But this place was a cozy gym with smaller equipment and classical music playing in the background. Very structured and the instructor works with a variety of special needs children. Her class reminded me more of The Elder's occupational therapy sessions than what he was doing in gymnastics. For example, they went from station to station and eventually built up to an obstacle course of 3 stations. Well, that would work on his ability to follow more than 2 directives in a series. One station was the balance beam (vestibular therapy), then it was donkey kicks with a trampoline and they had to recite a letter during each kick which she had laid out for them (lots of good things from that - kinesthetic learning, coordination, um, what else?), then the last station was a low beam where they had to pick up "ice cream" and velcro them on the sides of the beam in different pre-set locations, and then go back and get them and put them back in the "ice cream" bucket. As you can see, I can see this being very very good for The Elder.

But as always, fees are always an issue. She is much less expensive than the other gym so that is a plus, especially for what you get. She is also cheaper per class than our co-pay was when he was having OT. Next Thursday we have a meeting at The Elder's school to discuss the results of his OT evaluation. It is so obvious that he needs it, but I still have that fear that they aren't going to grant him the services. At least I have another option if it turns out he has been "performing" well for the therapist at school.

I wonder if gymnastics is a tax deduction....