does having learning disabilites make it hard to learn new things in sports?

Question

like plays or new positions? is there anything you can do to make it easier

Answer 1

There is no quick answer to this question -- it is yes .. and no ...

Depending on the disability of the child (and you did not specify what learning disability the child has) it possibly could affect their ability to learn new things in sports.

I am a Long-Term Single Parent of TWO children with Disabilities (and one had Asperger's Syndrome -- High Functioning Autism).

When the Autistic Child was in the elementary years -- I pushed for BOTH to attend community sports programs -- and one of them was basketball league -- in fact, there were NO children with any sort of disability PRIOR to my two showing up that any of the volunteer coaches had ever worked with before this time.

My Autistic Child had difficulty when (at half time), the teams switched sides of the courts (and of course -- opposite baskets). What we had to do was inform the referees that they needed to Walk the Team/my child to the GOAL that the child was going to have to reach in that next half -- and make sure that we pointed the child in the right direction.

It took a while to learn this skill (and most disabled children LIKE to play with other children -- and are good at passing and teamwork), and there was always some RUDE parent (and even RUDER child their age) who would DEGRADE and make remarks about children with disabilities in the court -- but WHO CARES -- it was Community Basketball, and the kids SHOULD have been there for FUN and NOT to satisfy some INSANE adult's idea of WIN at ALL COSTS -- and I would always feel sorry for the other team that had to deal with this kind of parent.

MOST children learn very visually -- sometimes, walking them through the plays several times (and then having a designated 'helper' on the team (in other words -- another child to lead the one with disabilities into their place)) works.

Answer 2

it depends on what your LD is. If you have a visual LD, like depth perception or seeing things 'abnormally' that would make it difficult to be able to watch someone show you how to do something. If you have auditory LD, that would impair your ability to hear a coach or instructor explain a move or position. etc. I would say yes, depending on the LD it can effect the way you learn new things in sports, just like in school and life. The best way to compensate is to be tested to see what the specific LD's are and to learn how to address them. Like for auditory, the coach may just need to be closer to you while speaking, or in somecases sign to you or write things down. If memory is a hard thing having a coach tape a particular move or exercise for you so that you can take it home and replay it over and over may help. My biggest recommendation though is to be tested, if you haven't and figure out what your specific LD or LD's are. From there try out this website to see how you can adapt your sport w/ the help of a coach. Hope that helps, good luck

Answer 3

hey peter (person above this post), you are in school to learn. playing sports is privilege, not your right as a failing student. saying that you are being discriminated against because you have failing grades and can't play on the sport team is a slap in the face to those people that actually faced REAL discrimination. besides students at the college level must maintain a certain GPA to play on the team

Answer 4

It could make it harder to learn and remember new plays. But there are many different ways to help yourself learn. There are many new teaching techniques out there. Try to hook your self up with some of that information or ask you doctor if there is new information out there for you. They may try drugs for ADD. But I would always go drug free if you can. Make sure you are properly tested for a learning disability and which one. Watch out for doctors trying to push diagnosis with no real proof. Learning disabilities are a serious thing to over come. Wish you luck.

Answer 5

umm.. it depends on what his/her learning disablity is. Like, I had seizures as a kid, and I think I may have had some problems in gym when I was in kindergarten ( don't remember much haha), but as I got older, I was able to participate, and do very well in P.E. even if I was having a serious case of seizures around that time :). Though, I don't really have seizures anymore hehe. But, I have an old friend who has autism, and I think that he has a harder time in paying attention at least (well, I think so at least hehe).

Answer 6

If you learn best by seeing things ( visual learner) then you might want to "see" the plays written down. If you learn best by hearing things" auditory learner" your might want to tape the plays and replay them to understand them. Some people learn best by " doing" In that case you might want to physically run through the plays with a friend. good Luck!

Answer 7

It depends on the persons disability. My son has learning disabilities, mostly speech and language, but he kicks as* in math.
Some ways I show him new things is to explain them slowly and wording it different ways until he goes "Oh yeah!"
And above all, have patience. They can feel like anyone else your frustration/anger.

Answer 8

Plays and position deals with repetitive motion....not critical thinking...like math and writing.
To make it easier is to lead ( have them follow you) them for a couple times so they feel the direction they need to follow.

Answer 9

it depend, what kind of disabilities you talk about.
some of learning disabilities put the children in impossibility to learn succession of movement or skills, or rules of sport games.

Answer 10

they discriminated against me when i got bad grades and would not let me play cause i could not pull the grades