traditional archery and autism

[brohymn2]

hey guys wondering if any of you had experience sharing traditional archery with an autistic child, my son has been diagnosed with autism(hes just over 4) and Im taking a year off work to be with him and work with him, also wanna get back into shooting stickbows and would like to share that with him, hes starting to come around with the talking and is very high functioning

thanks

[Sean B]

I have a bow for my 9 year old stepson, however it's something that he doesn't quite get. He Hes tough to figure out because he is nonverbal and has difficulty with his motor skills.

[Bud B.]

My wife works at a Girl Scout camp and they teach riding lessons and introduced horseback archery to the program a few years ago. There is a young boy who has autism participates in the program (it's open to anyone) and he was allowed to give it a try. His attention span is short. He shoots the arrow well off cue, but he has a blast. He seems to open up when a bow is in his hands. I made him a large rubber tipped blunt but the arrow is only about 18 inches long. He uses a fiberglass toy bow that can propel the arrow maybe 15-20 feet, but that's all he needs to enjoy his time when he visits. His lessons are structured, but his path is his path as long as it focuses him on wanting to come back. I think he's about 7 years old.

[jackdaw]

My son is on the Autism spectrum and I do have a bow for him. He is physically capable....but a whisker biskit type of rest is required so tgw arrow stays in place. My son is 11 and has been going to events with me and my archery buddies for about 6 years. Baby steps but I thrilled he goes....:-D..!!! All my friends are very patient and supportive.....keep at it.. it WILL happen..... :-D

[BWallace10327]

If any concerns are raised about what a person who is on the autism spectrum can and cannot do arise, please look up Dr. Temple Grandin. She is a remarkable person that really shows a person sets their own limits.  I was fortunate enough to meet her last fall and was really impressed.

[McDave]

I teach archery to kids for our club, and we have had several kids with autism come to our classes.  We may have had more than I know about, but several where the parents have volunteered that information up front.  The class is an introductory class, but some of the kids like it enough to take the class more than once.  Some of the kids with autism have taken the class 3 or more times, probably the most repeat visits of anyone.  Depending on the type of autism, kids can be unpredictable and need to be watched a little more closely, but then, we make a point of watching all the kids closely anyway.  All the kids we have had with autism have been able to communicate with us and respond appropriately to the things we are doing and saying, so I guess they're not very far up the autism scale.

My experience is that any kids, autistic or not, respond best to archery instruction at 8 years old or older.  There are exceptions, of course; Mozart was supposed to have written a symphony at 3, but that is my experience with average kids.

[brohymn2]

Thanks guys.  The first few months I figure it'll just be him shooting and me watching him before I start shooting with  him

[Flingblade]

I don't have experience with autism but wish you and your son the best.  Go slow, celebrate every milestone and don't let anyone; doctors included, set limitations.

[IronJohn]

My middle Son was diagnosed with autism when he was 2 or 3. He has ppd or pervasive pediatric development. A form of autism very low on the scale. We started shooting bows, recurve, when he was 8 and he loved it. Now he's 13 and still flinging arrows! It's really hard to tell my Son has ppd as it has pretty much gone away over the years. Take your time and be patient and open to everything around both of you. He will make you smile and cry at the same time.......IJ

[Jan Brown]

I have some experience as my youngest son is also on the spectrum... he is about to turn 18 and has been involved with me and traditional archery since he turned 3 years old. He does everything that I do and loves the sport. He competes and has gotten so good that he has even started to mentor some of the other members in our club. He has been and continues to be an inspiration to everyone he meets. traditional archery has been nothing but positive for him and now he is giving back! Hope this helps...

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I have a friend who has a high functioning autistic boy.  I shoot with him a couple times a year and he loves it.

I think you will have to work with your boy and determine how quickly to move with him. Patience will be paramount and like with any kid, dont push it too much or he may never enjoy it.

[brohymn2]

thanks guys, I find all your stories inspiring to say the least, gonna order my son a maddog longbow or recurve I think

[NY Yankee]

Keep the lessons short and very simple. Keep showing him the basics of form but one thing at a time until he gets used to doing it. Never turn your back on him when he has an arrow as they can be compelled to "try" something different at any second so just keep an eye on him. My nephew is 16 with autism and he can be a handful. Ill bet your son will love his lessons and look forward to being with his Dad and his bow.