Special Abilities Classes

Lee’s ATA Martial Arts offers Special Abilities classes at select locations around the valley.

Who can participate?

To be eligible to participate in our Special Abilities classes, you must be at least 6 years old and identified by an agency or professional as having one of the following conditions:

• Intellectual Disabilities
• Cognitive Delays as measured by formal assessment
• Significant Learning or Vocational problems due to cognitive delay that require or have required specially designed instruction.

What is a class like?

Our student-to-teacher ratio is 1:1 or 1:2 depending on the needs of the student. This class takes place before our regular classes start so there are no distractions from other students.

What are they learning?

Students will learn the same Songahm curriculum as everyone within our academy, but in order to advance in rank, expectations are modified. To earn a new rank, Special Abilities students will be asked to perform certain moves, or combos from the curriculum. An example of this is in a testing is performing a hook-kick round-kick combo from their designated ‘form’ with improved balance and improved height (as high as their belt). With weapons training, they might be asked to perform the 9 basic strikes with that weapon and break a board. We change the class’ focus each testing cycle. All modifications take into consideration any muscular and coordination barriers the student might experience.

Will my child advance?

Yes, we offer a testing opportunity or ‘graduation’ each 10 weeks in which your child may earn a new rank.

Can my child compete?

Yes! The ATA has a fantastic and thriving tournament circuit that now includes divisions specifically for Special Abilities. They are separated by Autistic, Cognitive, and Physical. You can read more about the requirements to compete by clicking here. Tournaments are offered 8-10 times per year locally here in Arizona. We do our best to prepare any student that wishes to compete as best as possible for their competition.

Our Tempe Campus also has a new partnership with the Special Olympics and is working together with them to develop a Taekwondo division (for the very first time ever) for future local and world competitions!

Available Locations & Class Times:

“My son Daniel was diagnosed with autism shortly before his 2nd birthday. He is high functioning, yet still has developmental problems. This makes programs difficult, because he looks normal, yet struggles with attention and language (both speaking and receiving instruction).  I was very hesitant to place him at Lee’s ATA because of prior experience in martial arts he has been viewed as a ‘problem’.

I LOVED the idea of Daniel being with normal kids throughout the week, yet still have a class for children with disabilities where he can really have someone work with him that understands him and his capabilities. I also loved that my son and daughter can do something together. Daniels days are filled with therapists and appointments that work with him, and that puts a big separation between the two of them.

To be completely honest I had very low expectations. In the past Daniel gets removed from classes, or hates the structure so much he refuses to participate.

We have been attending classes now or 6 weeks and I could not be happier. Ms. Ashley Hill is patient, kind, and understanding. She really strives to see each child succeed and progress with goals and pride. It truly is a beautiful thing to watch.”