Alabama group promotes skateboarding as therapeutic for kids with autism

From The Tuscaloosa News in Alabama:

Skateboarding is considered “cool” for many kids, but for kids with autism, it can also be something more — a therapeutic outlet.

“It’s often really difficult for kids with autism to be part of organized sports,” said Chrys Worley, a West Blocton mom whose 7-year-old son has autism.

Autism, a developmental disability, often affects speech and social interaction. That is one reason skateboarding works well, because the kids can be independent. It’s a sport where uniqueness is celebrated, Worley said.

“Skateboarding is something they can do as a group but also individually,” she said. “They don’t have to be overwhelmed, and it’s constant motion.”

Worley’s son, Sasha (pictured), took to skateboarding so well at age 5 that the family built a 20-foot half pipe in the backyard for him to practice on. The sport has given him a therapeutic outlet, a hobby that he is good at and can enjoy.

That’s something that Worley wanted to share with other kids with autism.

A.skate Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed by Worley, travels throughout the Southeast to offer skateboard clinics to children with autism. Skateboards, helmets and other gear are provided for the children. People who have been in the skateboarding industry for 10 to 20 years teach the kids how to skateboard.

A free skateboarding clinic will be offered by A.skate to children with autism at a new skate park in Greensboro on May 30.

McCalla mom Heather Hamrick plans to take her 5-year-old son, Joseph.

“It gives my child something to do,” Hamrick said. “Just because he has autism doesn’t mean he can’t do sports.”

Although Hamrick said her son has never tried skateboarding, she said he would probably enjoy it.

“He’s got very good balance and he loves anything with wheels,” she said.

The clinic will be at the Greensboro skate park at the Lions Park on Hall Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Worley said she hopes children with autism from all over West Alabama will attend.

“Kids take to it so easy,” Worley said. “The one thing we are having a hard time with is that when they start to skateboard, they don’t want to get off.”

In addition to the free clinics, the A.skate Foundation is sponsoring a “Grants for Gear” project to help parents with autistic children get skateboards and equipment for little or no cost. To find out more about the grant program or about A.skate, go to www.askate.org.