Martial arts, therapy for the disabled

Techniques and discipline practised in martial arts can be a form of therapy for people with disabilities or disorders, especially children.

According to SEN Master Academy head coach Mohd Khaldun Redza, martial arts can help children in many ways including in coordination, movement, social skills and self-confidence.

Mohd Khaldun, who runs a programme that uses martial arts as a therapy for children with disability, explains that the methods used are not aggressive, non-violent and different from the normal techniques.

"Children or any individuals who join this programme are being exposed to exercises that may improve their own weaknesses including physical, cognitive and behaviour," Mohd Khaldun said in an exclusive interview with Astro AWANI.

Through the exercises, he added, they would usually build their confidence, be more motivated and have better control of their daily activities.

"It is important to know that most children with disability or disorder, or even those having problems with their studies, have an impaired neurological function. It does not involve their intellectual level.

"Through these exercises, which fall under the scope of movement therapy, it may boost the neurons sells, regenerate the brain cells that help them control and overcome their weaknesses," Mohd Khaldun said.

SEN Master Academy is the first to introduce such programme in Malaysia which began in March this year.

It has over 20 children with disability, from autism, Down Syndrome and microcephaly.

Mohd Khaldun hopes this program could be expanded so that it can reach out to more children all over the country.