Black Belt Uses Movement to Unlock Brain Power of Children with Autism, ADD

When Richard Bole looks into the eyes of a child with autism or ADD, he doesn’t see that child’s “special needs,” but rather the wealth of intelligence and creativity he or she has yet to unlock.

The founder of the Center for Learning Through Rhythm and Movement and owner of the Shelby Martial Arts Academy, Bole has dedicated the past 15 years of his life to helping children diagnosed with ADD, ADHD and autism use exercise to gain focus, coordination and self-fulfillment.

“It’s extremely fulfilling,” the 67-year-old Bole said of his work with the CLTRM. “I’ve seen what (these exercises) can do. I look into their eyes and see the intelligence of these kids. If we can get the brain working as one unit, as it is designed, these kids can be productive and have a chance in society.”

It was through Bole’s work as a martial arts instructor that he first noticed the impact his routines were having on students’ individual executive function, self-control and focus.

“I read Smart Moves by Carla Hannaford and realized how I was affecting the kids in my martial arts classes,” Bole, a black belt, said. “The book explained why certain moves were helping and helped me understand the science of what I was doing.”

Bole now offers a number of classes and special events at his Shelby Township studio that integrate Brain Gym and Bal-A-Vis-X exercises into martial arts instruction.

Of the 110-120 students currently enrolled at the studio, approximately 40 percent have an ADD, ADHD or autism diagnosis.

Kira and Stephen Rockman, whose 11-year-old son Sam has autism, have been involved with the CLTRM for the past two years.

“When you have a special needs child, there are so many therapies, it’s hard to keep them straight. But with Brain Gym, you want to do more. You can see and feel the benefit,” said Kira Rockman.

And this benefit isn’t only for the child.

“(The exercises) help me, too,” she said. “It helps me get focused and be better able to help Sam. I’m trying to get other parent to learn the methods used in Brain Gym so they’ll be able to do them at home.”

The classes have also provided Sam, who is home-schooled, the opportunity to interact with other children in a safe and welcoming group setting.

“Sam does like it,” Kira said. “He finds it difficult to focus sometimes and it was slower going because of his eye-hand coordination, but he’s really trying to participate more. He used to run out of class, but now he can stay, even if he’s not doing all the movements.”

The benefits were even greater for Janet Anderson’s daughter, who did not receive the care needed for regular brain development as an orphaned infant in China.

“Richard (Bole) started working with her and almost immediately the cross crawl (exercises) worked on her communication and seemed to untie her tongue and balance exercises helped with her math skills,” Anderson said. “There were gradual and immediate changes.”

Parents interested in CLTRM programs should visit http://www.techaide.org/cltrm/index.html or bring their child by the martial arts academy on Thursday, March 7, from noon to 2 p.m., for an individual dominance profile and tracking. The center will also do training on Brain Gym and Bal-A-Vis-X while the individual evaluations are being completed.

Having moved in May, the studio is now located at 50400 Schoenherr Rd. in Shelby Township.