Archery and Kids with Issues

[Ishi]

I am looking for information on using archery as a way of reaching and helping kids with issues. My wife and I read an article on behavioral optometry today and it occured to us that we do similar eye exercises when we teach instinctive and modified gap. This past summer two of my students opened up while we were roving. One told me that he had spent that past week in the psychiatric unit and that he pushed to get released so that he could come to class. The other said that she was ADHD and that she was being home schooled because she could not get along with others. She would often hang out with us for all 3 classes - from 9 AM until noon each Sat.

Anyone know of any articles I can read on this topic? Any psyhcologists, special ed. teachers or behavioral optomestrists in the house?

Do any of the nat'l archery organizations have any info on this topic?

Thanks guys and shoot safe,

Ishi

[Bowbender Mike]

I would suggest contacting NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program)
I've heard numerous success stories similar to what you've described in their promotional materials.

They may be able to point you to the resources you're seeking. Wish I could be more help.

Keep up the good work.

[SandSquid]

Ishi,

This is Mrs. Squid. My husband said that I might want to reply to your post since I work with special needs children in the school system and we do have a couple of kids that come to our youth program that are ADHD.

We have found that keeping the kids' attention throughout the program and letting them know our expectations with regards to safety and range protocols they do well.

These children need the structure without a lot of down time.

We will let them know when their behavior is inappropriate if it is a safety issue. Using different targets will keep their attention. Working with these children I have come to the conclusion that if they enjoy something they will focus and follow the rules, if they aren't interested to begin with it will be harder for them to focus.

By the way, we use a time out method when behavior is an issue with any child or even adult, and make them sit out from shooting for a round or two. Only once have we ever had to sit a child out for the entire rest of the session. Though it was a harsh move it was both supported by the parents of the child, and was warranted. We needed to set a very swift and stern precedent that we will never tolerate certain behaviors.

The rules are simple, we will:

be safe
have fun
respect ourselves
respect others
respect nature
respect the equipment

[Ishi]

Thanks Mrs. Sandsquid. Great suggestions. I will pass them along to Mrs. Ishi as well. I doubt that Sandsquid or I would be able to handle youth archery without our better halves. Thanks for all that you do.

[Seagull]

I would just like to add:

I am a father of an ADD daughter and ADHD son. Archery has several elements which helps these kids.
1) It can be very structured.

2) Our JOAD club runs a 2 minute clock for shooting. This is short enough so even non-medicated kids can focus.

3) The multiple action in involved (Prepare - get equipment from racks and get to the shooting line, shoot, put equipment on rack, walk to target, score, retrive arrows, and walk back to the waiting area) is often sufficent to keep the kids interested.

4) Archery has clear expectation (safety, technics, measures of performance) that are lacking in most kids activities. Since these expectations are re-enforced continuously by the coaches and parents the kids behave better.

5) Positive feedback - rewards for performance makes ADD and ADHD kids want to behave and come back. ADD and ADHD kids often get more than enough negative feedback. Keeping things positive works best to get best performance in behavor and shooting.