Martial arts involves more than just kicking and punching.

“That’s the easy part,” said Ron Boswell, a sixth-degree black-belt tae kwon do master and owner of ATA Blackbelt Academy, near Memphis, Tenn. “Our mission is to make children feel good about themselves and to help them achieve their goals.”

Training in the martial arts can be helpful to children with physical challenges and to those with behavioral problems or personality traits that have made it difficult to succeed at other sports.

Children with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Asperger syndrome, neurological problems, Down syndrome and other disabilities can learn martial arts as they get physical and occupational therapy at the Center for Therapeutic Taekwondo in Cordova, Tenn.

Those with behavioral problems associated with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can get training at most studios.

“The biggest thing with ADD and ADHD kids is to praise them on little things to build their confidence,” Boswell said. “Once they have confidence, they can do anything.”

Low self-esteem is a problem for children who have behavioral problems.

“We don’t have bad kids here. We have kids who may be having a bad day. But they leave their troubles at the door when they come here,” Boswell said.

Martial arts training — which includes tae kwon do, karate, judo, jujitsu and Kung Fu — strengthens all the muscle groups, improves flexibility and coordination, and promotes mental toughness and perseverance, said Ray Velasco, a physical therapist and co-owner of the Center of Therapeutic Taekwondo.

James Cotton, 4, concentrates on a tae kwon do kicking drill at a Tennessee therapeutic fitness center. Children with disabilities or behavior disorders can benefit from the discipline and sense of accomplishment gained in martial arts.

Teaching self-control

Elizabeth Sumner’s sons take tae kwon do at Velasco’s center. Ben, who is 11, has Down syndrome; her 14-year-old, Zach Golden, just never seemed to be able to excel at team sports until he enrolled in traditional classes at the center.

Ben transitioned into the center about five years ago after completing a therapy program for young children at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center.

“He’s receiving therapy as he earns belts in tae kwon do,” Sumner said, adding that Ben also won a gold medal in a state competition.

And Zach, now a black belt, has found a sport in which he can succeed.

“He’s now confident he could defend himself if he had to,” Sumner said.

Some parents may wonder if the martial arts encourage aggressive and show-off behavior.

Four-year-old James Cotton shares a laugh with therapeutic tae kwon do specialist Hailey Plyler after completing a developmental obstacle course.

“It teaches self-control,” Boswell said. “We say it’s OK to be upset or angry, it’s how you handle it that’s important.”

Robby Beard, owner of USA Karate, said martial arts helped children with a wide spectrum of personality traits. USA Karate has facilities in Bartlett, Tenn., and Germantown, Tenn..

“If you have a shy child, it energizes them,” Beard said. “If you have an energetic kid, it calms them down. If you are a bully, you find out you aren’t as tough as you thought you were.”

Child psychologist Elizabeth Harris finds martial arts training helps children with behavioral problems, including impulse control and aggression.

“The instructors are very clear that the skill is something that stays in the studio,” Harris said. “It doesn’t belong on the street.”

Students also learn that they are responsible for their actions.

“Being respectful and being responsible are part of a martial arts way of life,” said Harris, whose two sons are karate enthusiasts.

Therapy source

For children with disorders such as ADD and ADHD, martial arts are helpful in several ways, Harris said.

“It’s good for building focus and concentration,” he said. “There is a lot of sequencing going on. Short sequences build into larger ones, so it helps strengthen a child’s ability to sequence.”

Learning to do one task after another can be difficult for children with attention problems.

Tae kwon do training is individualized at the Center for Therapeutic Taekwondo for children with physical challenges.

“For most kids, it’s more therapy than tae kwon do at first and then more tae kwon do later on,” Valuto said.

Therapists evaluate the children before formulating programs tailored to their needs and abilities. Most will work alone with a therapist for one weekly session and then attend a group class for another.

“In traditional therapy, some of the kids get bored because they are doing the same thing all of the time. There’s no motivation,” Velasco said. “With tae kwon do, the kids are motivated each time they get another belt.”

‘It’s awesome’

Children who don’t seem to thrive in team sports, often succeed in martial arts.

That’s the case with Alex Parker, a ninth-grader with mild ADD who has been taking instructions at Therapeutic Taekwondo for five years.

“Sports were never his thing, but now he’s a black belt,” said Jennifer Parker, Alex’s mother. “It helps him with focusing and has built up his confidence. It’s one of the best things he’s ever done.”

Sue Mayer said karate training at the Patrick Wrenn School of Combative Arts has turned her 8-year-old son Nathan into an athlete. The school holds classes in the Memphis Fitness Club.

“He never could go as far or as fast as other children, but now he’s kicking over his head and almost over mine,” Mayer said. He’s now a green belt (the third level in karate) and his 5-year-old brother, Freddie, is a yellow belt (the second level).

“It’s been a wonderful discipline for both of them,” Mayer said. “My 9-year-old son is treated with the same respect as the adults at the center. It’s awesome.”