Helping children with autism can be like unraveling clues in a mystery.
One form of autism is Asperger's Syndrome.
And, one key to unlocking what's going on with these children may be "mixed martial arts," or MMA.
Meet a Delhi Township mother who says it's made a big difference in her son's life.
What may look like a bunch of punching, kicking and wrestling -- is proving to be therapy for Theo Tedesco.
"Oh it's been a phenomenal thing for him," said his mother, Paige Tedesco.
She enrolled Theo in mixed martial arts when he was five-years-old. Her son has Asperger's Syndrome, which makes social interactions and speech difficult.
But for whatever reason, MMA does not come hard for him.
"It's the one thing I've never had to fight with him to get ready to go to," said Tedesco. "Ever. Having to change clothes, having to wear a uniform. It's never been an issue for him because he loves it."
And while those sound like common problems for all children, they can be big hurdles for theo.
However at these classes, Theo's issues are diminished. while he might be awkward at school, children here perceive him differently.
"He has so many problems at school and here is such an incredibly safe environment for him," Tedesco said. "He knows the other kids aren't gonna make fun of him and he's got friends here."
His teacher, Jeff Robison, says martial arts are great for children with all types of disorders.
"It's a built-in attention system," said Robison. "Kinda like the military where you have certain cues or attention anchors, to get kids attention."
And this isn't just therapeutic. This is a sport he can excel in.
"I like the competition most of all," said Theo, who is now in eighth grade.
And he's won -- which raises his confidence and his self-esteem.
His mother says MMA has been better for theo than occupational therapy.
"To be able to watch him progress and do a complete form and remember it," said Tedesco. "Is it gonna be perfect? No. But it's gonna be to the best of his ability and for him to even stand still through an entire class is a major accomplishment from where we started to where we are now."
Paige Tedesco says something else important happens at these classes. She gets a support system.
Other parents of children with Aspergers and ADHD are there, providing a social network for her.
Of course, you should check with your child's doctor before allowing them to participate in MMA.
