Gymnastics and Movement for People with a Disability.

Introduction
The special Needs section of Basingstoke Gymnastic Club is relatively new and growing monthly! We can offer gymnastic-based session for participants of all ages with a wide range of conditions, including; Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs), Down Syndrome, Behavioural Disorders, attention deficiency disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties and visual/hearing impairments.

Sessions take place in the club’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art gymnastic facility and are both fully structured and coached by British Gymnastics qualified coaches. This ensure that participants have the opportunity to learn
gymnastics and trampoline in a safe, caring and fun environment.

The structure of the sessions is similar to that in our recreational gymnastic sessions, aiming to be fun, exciting, stimulating and develop basic skills.  Over the course of a number of sessions, participants are encouraged and taught techniques on all of the apparatus – as appropriate to their needs -  such as; Floor, Vault, Bars and Trampoline as well as the more sport specific pieces such as Pommel Horse, Rings and Beam.

Basingstoke Gazette, Gannett Fund very kindly awarded Basingstoke Gymnastic Club the funds to purchase an electric hoist, so that we are now in a position to move severely disabled participants from a wheelchair up onto our trampolines, to enjoy some gentle bouncing therapy, or onto the gymnastic floor, for soft play sessions.

Obviously during all sessions, we welcome parents and carers to accompany participants and help us to ensure their needs are being met.

There are may be opportunities for those who show potential and are interested, in pursuing a competitive gymnastic route, to work towards more advanced skills and routines, thus providing the individual with the opportunity to compete for the club at regional and national level. This would be agreed on a individual basis.

Philosophy
We believe that everyone with a disability should be able to access gymnastics, as individuals, in a safe environment, that recognizes and responds to their individual needs in a positive manner.

Principal Aims
• To offer sessions for all individuals, irrespective of their disabilities, to achieve their full potential within gymnastics.
• To provide a safe, secure and caring environment, with good quality coaching and supervision, and above all else, enjoyment
• To ensure that suitably qualified coaches/volunteers are involved and play an active part in achieving the aims of the club and more importantly, those of the individual.

Objectives
All individuals will:
• Be encouraged to recognise their importance and the value of learning new skills, which will aid them both in gymnastics and also outside the sporting environment.
• Develop the correct skills and attitudes to enable them to progress.
• Through understanding, develop a respect for others, working with them, which must also be aimed at all other participants working in the same environment.

We welome any individuals, parents/guardians and schools or organisations, who may wish to come and have a look around the gym. The coaching representative for special needs will be available to talk about individual or group requirements and possibly set up a trial session, subject to availability of the gym and staff.

It should also be noted that all participants with Down Syndrome are screened for Atlanto Axial Instability - in accordance with British Gymnastics guidelines - before any active participation in sessions is permitted.

Whilst every effort shall be made to offer sessions to everyone, there may be certain contra-indications, which may restrict participation and in extreme cases there may be grounds for refusal, where these contra-indications pose a higher risk to the participants health.