My son will never be a gymnast

This is a challenging blog to write.  There are so many directions this post could go in.  For now I'll try to narrow it to one factor that as of late has been a huge blessing in our lives.

Daven my oldest encounters daily challenges with gross motor planning, fine motor planning, vestibular challenges (balance), gravitational insecurity, visual perceptual challenges, and sensory processing challenges.  In addition to these challenges he has challenges with inner ear difficulties.  What does all of this mean to a lay person?  It looks like this in daily life:

Your child falls down the steps for no apparent reason.  Your child runs into the corner of walls seemingly unaware as he is running because his brain didn't process quick enough that there was a wall there.  Your child falls and trips over nothing, or just happens to fall down.  Your child is unable to put his arms up quick enough when you throw a ball to him because he couldn't process quick enough that a ball was moving towards him hitting smack in the middle of his chest.  Your child avoids fine motor tasks such as using crayons and scissors.  He seems to be overly sensitive to movement; for example not liking to be thrown up into the air which most children love.  He on the other hand holds tight and wants to enjoy it but outwardly appears quite afraid.  Your child has a difficult time in crowded environments; especially those with high ceilings and/or lots of noise, people, and movement.  Your child has a hard time looking at you because the moment he does he loses his balance especially if the expectation is to have eye contact during movement activities.  Your child has a flight response to being over stimulated so safety is a concern.  Your child fatigues easily in comparison to peers his age.  He is an adorably messy eater.  And never really wants his feet or body to leave a stable place (i.e. the ground/floor).

There isn't anything more painful as a parent than to be watch your child encounter challenges they yet do not know are challenges.  While he has the earlier mentioned challenges he does not have a specific diagnosis nor do I believe it is imperative or necessary to have an actual diagnosis at this point in his life.  What is important is that when as parents we see things that just do not fit we investigate and provide the best opportunities we can with the information we have at the moment.  One of these opportunities came to me through a suggestion to have Daven participate in gymnastics.  As I thought about it, it made more and more sense.  It was a safe place for him to practice gross motor skills without getting hurt.  From day one to today Daven has made huge improvements in his motor skills which have incidentally impacted his language skills and social interaction skills.  I am ever so thankful for The Gymnastic Academy of Duluth MN for working with me as a parent knowing what challenges Daven has and having an inclusive culture.

Daven's first gymnastics session is what I'd describe as a hopeful disaster.  He hard a hard time with many other children in the class in a new surrounding and not knowing what the expectations were.  Let alone never wanting to have his feet leave the ground, be upside down, jump without falling flat on his face and/or knees, be in areas where he couldn't tell where thing started and ended (i.e. going down a slide). 

Here are a few photos from today's session:

He willingly puts himself in the "handstand" position, on his own.  Thanks to his teacher at TGA!

"Cheese, mom". Able to climb structures without much support

He's willing to put his head down and bear walk which previously would have ended in a fall and/or anxiety about trying.

Seems like a small win... however being on his stomach off of the floor would not have happened previously.

Completely in air.  His first few attempts at this box jump resulted in many a face plants and/or landing hard on his knees.  The first time he successfully completed a box jump you could see the pride in himself; he went back over and over again completing the jump over and over.

Still working on the core and being able to swing without falling and/or letting go of the bar.

Here's what I know.  Having Daven start gymnastics has improved his gross motor skills and his ability to process and motor plan new motor skills.  It has also helped increase his self confidence in himself which is a blessing in and of itself.  Incidentally if you know about brain workings one would make the assumption that other areas would improve secondarily and they have!  A special call out to his teacher at The Gymnastics Academy of Duluth whom I'll not name (as I didn't ask her permission to share) for having the patience and interest in working with Daven. Additionally, to Becky and the rest of the staff at TGA!  I am forever grateful for this opportunity and look forward to more improvements. 

Daven will never be a gymnast.  I do however love that he is engaged and excited about trying and participating.  He often asks, "Is it a gymnastics day?"