JK Martial Arts

Client Testimonials:

Letter from parent Christine Harris

November 10th, 2008

Dear Pat, Dr. Hoffman, doctors & staff of South Lake Pediatrics,

My sons, Charlie (11) and Luke (6), have been patients of South Lake Pediatrics since birth. We have received excellent care over the years and are grateful for all the help and advice we have received.

You may recall that when Charlie was suspected as having some behavioral issues in first grade, we worked with Dr. Hoffman. During our conversations about treatment for Charlie, I recall discussing a study showing that a combination of medication and behavior modification efforts proved more valuable than either of the two alone. I find that educators and caregivers are still citing this finding when addressing parents of children with AD/HD today. So, in addition to trying some meds, I set out to find some ways to help Charlie with behavior modification. And I am just bursting to tell you about a very special karate program at JK Martial Arts that has been a very important source of growth and maturation for Charlie during these formative years.

I could give dozens of examples of how this program has been the number one avenue for behavior modification for Charlie. Here are a few:

Charlie has learned to crave exercise as a way to relieve himself of the stresses he encounters in school specifically and in social situations generally

the “hard style” of martial arts called Sho Rei Ru that is taught by this school (the only one in the state) is particularly beneficial for kids who have the need for a high level of sensory input to help them focus and get “reorganized”

because there are adults and children as well as students with and without special needs in the school, there is an atmosphere of acceptance and sensitivity among the participants and instructors so that each student is encouraged to reach his or her personal best

unlike other karate programs, the students at JK Martial Arts progress as a class which creates an atmosphere of camaraderie that children with special needs sometimes don’t find in school.

With this in mind, I am writing to you today to ask you to consider having Charlie and his Sensei from JK Martial Arts give a brief demonstration to your staff so that they will know of this practice as a possible avenue for behavior modification for kids like Charlie with AD/HD and other special needs.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Christine Harris