United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

any suggestions to help a 4th grader to participate in gym class better? Modifications? thanks!

Hi, I have a 4th grade daughter, (just turned 10) with a left arm injury. She does have problems jumping rope, and recently said that running the track is starting to get embarrassing because of the way she holds her arm. (She says that her "breath-taking beauty" catches all of the kids attention and that's how they end up noticing how she carries her arm and wonder why she carries it like that) Kath gave her some pointers on jumping rope like adjusting the rope and making it longer. Brittney also said that crossing her arms and jumping makes it easier. Push-ups luckily she is able to do and she is pretty athletic and loves sports - just does them her way. Basketball she says she stinks at and in softball it's hard for her to catch the ball. I think what helps her is her attitude. She'll say, "At least I'm awesome in soccer!", instead of dwelling on how hard basketball is for her. She has a sense of humor about her weaknesses and focuses more on what she CAN do. Her friends and teachers, even though they do not seem to understand why she can't move her arm in some ways, are always supportive. Brittney tries everything and I think that has earned her respect from her teachers and peers. She has always earned "Satisfactory" in gym - they don't give grades in that. She gets an "S" just for participating and trying her best. I think the child fits in easier if they draw less attention to themselves by going ahead and trying their best to do everything. So I guess to sum this up - if the boy just tries his best, participates, and not be so hard on himself for what he CAN'T do but be proud of what he CAN do his gym class will go smoother. Also, try not to take gym class too seriously - have a sense of humor and try to have fun with friends. You can remind him that so many kids also struggle in gym class that have never been injured, like the overweight or underweight kids or the uncoordinated ones - so many kids are struggling to fit in for different reasons. Do you have any specific questions that maybe myself or someone could answer? I hope this has helped you somehow. Christy

Hi Connie,

Mitchell is 7 and is in the first grade. I've noticed this year that his grades in gym are lower than last years grades.

He has a new gym teacher this year so I talked to her about his injury and what he may not be able to do as easily as the other kids. I just asked her to be patient and helpful to him (without drawing attention) and to praise his accomplishments and not tell him what he isn't doing "well" or "the right way".

Seemed to help some. He loves shooting baskets---he does it kind of one-handed, so we encourage him doing what he likes.

Anyhow, good luck.

John is in 3rd grade and we have had some issues with phy ed this year. I spoke with the teacher at the beginning of the year, but things still came up.
One thing that we finally found helpful was to find out what units were being taught each quarter. That way I could work with John at home and come up with alternative ways he could do things. Gymnastics proved very difficult for him this year. Handstands etc.
Volleyball was another unit that was difficult,but again we were able to practice at home and find a way to serve that worked.
I did feel the teacher needed constant reminding about what things might be difficult with each unit, for example: dribbling a basketball with the bpi hand.
We took John in with us to talk with the teacher and had him show some of what he could and couldn't do.
He was fair with the grading and also with allowing John to do what he was able to do. For example, he didn't grade him on single rope jumping only double rope jumping.

Sorry this is so long. I think phy ed is a hard class for our kids.
Pam Wiehe

Looks like you've had some good advise from parents already but I'll add my experiences.

I think the extent of the injury would influence selection of appropriate gym activities, but I can't recall any compensation for my injury during gym class or intramural activities as a youth. Although I'm unable to raise my arm above my head, I was able to participate in everything from calisthentics to basketball using my "good" arm to compensate for the injured one. Some gym activities I couldn't perform as well as others but I was not excused from attempting them nor did I want to be excused. For me, calling attention to my injury would have been a detriment. I can't recall the other children in class making my arm an issue.

One alternative might be to design gym activities around the physical therapy the OPBI child is taking or have taken. A check with the parents (assuming your a teacher) or therapist may be worthwhile.

I hope this helps.

John P.

Back in the Dark Ages when I was in elementary school and still dealing with being a traumatic LBPI, I had a great experience. When asked by the coach/principal why I didn't try out for the 5th grade basketball team, I used the excuse that my family couldn't afford basketball shoes (and they couldn't). The following week I was called to his office and he handed me a new pair of hightops. "These were found in the hallway. Are they yours?" I said no. He said that they looked to me my size so why didn't I just take them. As I was leaving he said "Practice is tomorrow after school." I did show up and even played a few minutes in a couple of games. Have your son try something my coach suggested many years ago and it worked. The secret is in ball handling is fingertip control and the best way to develop it is to dribble the basketball with his good hand -- against a wall. Gradually working the ball father and farther up the wall. You learn to catch the ball and rediorect its path just using the fingertips. This same man also played minor league baseball with the first one-armed pro ball player. If interested I can pass on a few tips for baseball, too. I wound up playing varsity football (defense) and loved every minute.

As it is, your son's got the right attitude and will succeed if given a little room to experiment and a lot of encouragement.

Bill

O.K. I'm probably going to get boo-ed for this but I think it depends on your child...Some kids love sports and will do it no matter what...with other kids it just seems to ruin any self esteem they have!!! I think you have to encourage your child to keep trying different things but if you have a child who really despises sports then I say override the school and get them out of there!!! There are other things they can do.....sports aren't a necessary part of life....being physically fit is....The school system is geared toward teaching everyone the same...if your child doesn't fit that mold they could feel bad. I don't think it's worth it....I personally hated gym and believe it was a negative part of my youth. If you have a child like this I'd talk to your doctor and explain this to them and ask to be excused from P.E. Life is too short to be humiliated by jocks.
T.

I hated gym - girls did arobic exercises when I was young. Since I could not raise my arm or really straighten it out that was tough to do in front of the class... but I managed...

I lived in a neighborhood where the girls and boys played street games... stick ball.... kick ball... basketball... punch ball... I did it all with lots of extra practice.

PS... My school would not let me play on the basketball team... but my church did and I played for years... but of course they had girls rules and I got to play guard... because I could run fast.... I loved being part of the team and that made up for the horrible gym experiences...

I think learning to play on a team is really a great life tool and great experience. The skills a child learns from any sort of team play help with life in general... I really can see it in my own children.

Kath

Thank you so much for your story and suggestions. the boy is a student of mine, and I am an occupational therapist. I am trying to help him, and this website is awesome! Thanks for the info, I will send along the information to his parents and teachers. You will never know how much you have helped us!

Thank you to everybody who responded to me re: gym class for a 9 year old boy with erb's palsy! Your support and suggestions are like gold! Thank you!