Snow Shadow Alternative Developmental Enrichment Program

Provides Individuals with a Friendly Family Atmosphere, and Clean Environment for a Place to Participate in a Variety of Activities is a Goal Snow Shadow Gym Wishes to Share

Snow Shadow Gymnastics Alternative Developmental Enrichment Program. Designs Personal Lesson Plans for Enhancing Mental and Physical Abilities for Those Affected with a Disability or Handicap

We do our Best to Provide Individualized Attention for Each Persons Specific Needs.

Please call to schedule an appointment to discuss your specific needs and arrange for a class-time to be scheduled.

Snow Shadow Gymnastics ADE Program offers highly specialized lesson plans. Targeted for Stimulating Specific Motor Skill Development and Comprehension Skills.

Engaging in Sport Style Physiotherapy or with a Community Therapy Center at earliest of age. Or upon knowledge of first being diagnosed with a disability. Is the most important and preventive measure that can be taken for a Long-term healthier Lifestyle.

Private Personal Designed Programs Include

" Helping to safely and properly direct personal and individual achievements gained for any personal physical or mental enhancement is golden". (Bruce Kirk)

April is Autism Awareness Month: 

Schedule a online * Discussion Group * Session Support Meeting

Use Contact Page: Schedule your next Support Group Meeting  with Snow Shadow Director

"Sensory Gym"  program is in Phase II of III at Snow Shadow

Donations for Sensory Therapy equipment is Accepted  Additional Contributions and Donations will be used for Scholarships Class Funding for children with disabilities.

Click on Donations in Menu Bar for more information regarding Pledge or Donation 501-(c)3

Snow Shadow Gym Accepts Generous Sponsorship's, Donations, and Contributions for

INSTRUCTIONAL CLASS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING

Snow Shadow Gymnastics "Alternative Developmental Enrichment Program"

* A portion of all donations will be used for student athlete scholarship funds, upgrading  new sensory apparatus and to help in Securing the facility for children and families to participate.

ENDOWMENT FUNDS will be used for:

* Operational ventures to provide useful educational and physical health programs now and for the future 

* Providing individuals with disabilities to experience a safe fun approach of specially designed alternative activities enriching their lives to be socially active and involved in our community is a Long-Term goal Snow Shadow wishes to share.  Private and Group classes are offered for regular scheduled class participation. 

 Snow Shadow Gym is Proud to announce that Mary G. has accepted to be  a  direct Spokeswomen for  MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY

Krista P. has accepted to be a direct Spokeswomen for CEREBRAL PALSY as former participating students here at Snow Shadow Gymnastics. An participants in our  'Alternative Developmental Enrichment Program'

Autism

Autism;

Autism is a neuro-biological disorder that affects a child's ability to communicate understand language, play and relate to others. Autism is larger than cancer in children. A child is diagnosed every 20 minutes and 1 out of 150 with Autism. Autism is four times higher in boys and that statistic is growing. Leaving 1 out of 94 boys with Autism. The cost of raising a child with Autism with the right kinds of therapy can cost between 3 and 5 million dollars. Autism is a life long disability and the largest developmental disability. There is no cure for Autism, but with early diagnosis and early intervention along with love, patience and support it can make a big difference in the lives of these children and families affected with Autism.

All ends of the spectrum included

ASD ~ PDD ~ NOS ~ BAP ~ AD/HD

~ Asperger ~ Rett 

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"Exceeding Physical Hopes and Dreams"

Private and Group classes are available

Snow Shadow Gymnastics is all about health. Our program offers classes for children and young adults affected with a disability or handicap.

Please e-mail for private consultation in regards to your specific needs.

We will do our best to meet both parents and children's needs and requests.

~ 1-Free Class screening for placement ~    

Class Days: Call for scheduling

Class Time: email for Class times available

Private Classes & Group Classes

Contact: bcoach773@gmail.com Coach Kirk  / Director

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There is quite a bit of speculation in terms of what causes Autism, but everyone is certain it requires special therapy and training for those diagnosed to have specific conditions known.

Here are couple of interesting news clips on the subject.

Autism on the Rise - Click here to watch ABC Video

Meta Cafe Autism Link Page 

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More Autism Resources

Wikipedia on Autism

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Autism Speaks

Autism Collaboration

Treating Autism UK 

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 SPINA BIFIDA

SSGHACT Spokesperson: Karen Wilson

Spina bifida (Latin: "split spine") is a developmental birth defect caused by the incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain un-fused and open. (more)

~ Hydrocephalus  ~ Arnaldo-Chiari Malformation 

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"Physical Dreams for Unique Needs" 

Private and Group Classes are available

Snow Shadow Gymnastics offers "Unique Needs" program classes for youngsters affected with Spina bifida.

"Exceeding Hopes for Physical Dreams"

Please e-mail for private consultation in regards to your special request and needs:

We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

1-Free Class Screening for placement 

                   Video below shows Vincent W, a student at Snow Shadow Gymnastics practicing with  Coach Kirk, on leg lifts and swinging, (innovative fun approach to better healthier life). Coach Kirk,  comments; "Vincent is only one of many children effected with Spina-bifida practicing on a regular   schedule has resulted with positive affects of motor-skill development and a better healthier lifestyle  change".

An update video will be available soon. See more on Snow Shadow Gymnastics YouTube

Google:  Snow Shadow Sensory Gym

 Video above: Coach Kirk with student Vincent Wilson; shows just how fun and helpful gymnastic classes can be for children affected with spina bifida as well as other disabilities. Comment; "I Properly research each student and adapt the most suitable methods for each individuals specific ability. When Safely designed with basic movement, future enhancement techniques begin to take an effect and stimulating neurological pathways to come to life. Combined with Repetitive physical movement coupled with mental exercise for alertness stimulates the nervous system for enhanced motor skill development".  "I've Tried it,  I've adapted it,  I've seen it,  and I have personally experienced the results of improvements with the student I work with".

MARFAN SYNDROME

Marfan Syndrome (also called Marfan's syndrome) is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. This syndrome can run from mild to severe.

People affected with Marfan Syndrome are typically tall, with long limbs and long thin fingers.

The most serious complications are the defects of the heart valves and aorta. It may also affect the lungs,eyes, and dural sack surrounding the spinal cord, and skeleton and hard palate.

Read below a personal experience: A short story of one child's "Olympic Dream"

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Private consultation with the parents, individual as well as with their therapist and personal physician is required before scheduling a private gymnastic class with Coach Kirk / Director of Snow Shadow Gymnastics

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 A family of four walked in to the gym one day. All stopping to gaze, except for a one young girl that took a few more steps directly to the front desk. With one arm on the desk and slightly leaning towards me said, Wow this is a big place". I responded would you like to do gymnastics? She looked up at me and said "Oh no I can't do gymnastics". My response, Oh yes you can, I teach gymnastics if you would really like to try. Turning to her family she shouted out loud, MOM!  DAD! he said I could do gymnastics here! The parents with a doubtful look said, No we came for your sister to do this. Turning back to me folding her arms on the desk dropping her head for just a second to her arms looked right back up, and said " I miss all the fun ". Stepping up to the desk her mother than explained to me that her daughter had Marfan syndrome and is unable to do many things. The young girl stepped back opened her jacket and said "if it wasn't for all these braces I could do it". To my amazement this young girl (14 yrs. old) was in a full-body brace from ankle to shoulders. My first inner thought was "Boy did I just crush this child's world". Than I said "I teach private classes and would be happy to teach your daughter". With our budget we can only afford to have one child take classes. Since I just crushed this child's world, compassion over took the moment, I said, "I will offer her a scholarship pass for 1 month of  free private classes". ( $50.00 per hour $200.00 per month is a small amount in the face of a child's Dream) of healthy fun for this child who all of a sudden STOOD STRAIGHT UP I said, " Can I Mom just once". I interrupted and explained the Tri-Add system in which the Coach, Parents & Physician speak to one another to understand all medical conditions of the child. This enables us to find the best solution for the child to participate in activities of their personal, mental and physical capabilities we offer for children with "special needs / Unique Needs. After a meeting with the Physician, Therapist and Parents... Bam! She was is in. Of course with strict additional limitations do to understanding she also is a Pace Maker recipient.

 Follow your "Olympic Dream"...

Medical Warning: Consult with a professional physician before attempting any type of activity when known causes of disabilities are present.. Coach Kirk

Marfan Syndrome Update: April 2011 Ms. Giesel was back and practicing here at Snow Shadow Gym. Her focus is at Balance Beam and Bars.

WE ARE PLANNING A MARFAN SYNDROME GROUP GYM CLASS for children with this condition.

Main Obstacles to over come; 1. Adjusting the braces to allow stepping higher on to mats and raised surfaces that are normal in a gymnastics school. 2. Once removing the body brace, how does the child get up and down safely? 3. Resting heart rate -vs- maximum heart rate. Finding the safe threshold or limit of the particular students heart rate while participating in a variety of activities. 4. Learning to Experience the joy of the activity without feeling in jeopardy of a fatal accident or situation.

 "she could and did" and she is back for more...

With Sincere Care, 

Coach Kirk

 FRAGILE X Syndrome

Observation and Teaching methods now in progress...

After a 6 month Observation and Teaching period are compiled. Methods and techniques will be shared and open for discussion.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), Martin-Bell syndrome, or Escalante's syndrome, is a genetic syndrome that is the most common known single-gene cause of Autism and the most common inherited cause of mental retardation among boy's. It results in a spectrum of intellectual disability ranging from mild to severe as well as physical characteristics including elongated face, large or protruding ears, and macroorchidism. Behavioral characteristics of sterotypic movements, such as hand flapping, and social anxiety can also be noticed.

More information Can Be Archived.  Bruce Kirk

 [Info in process of downloading]

After many months of being introduced and learning first hand accounts to Iann's conditions and symptoms. I have noted remarkable "Leaps and Bounds" over the past months that seem to surpass the common learning curve that I have read about in regards to other individuals affected with Fragile X syndrome. As I continue personal research and having the opportunity to have Iann, under my  tutelage. I can now begin to share some of the most mind opening experiences we have shared in learning about one another, as well as how this 'young Savant', in my opinion has taught me his unique ways to communicate and grow displaying  both physical and mental development.  MORE WILL FOLLOW...

Visit Snow Shadow Gym Facebook for class videos.

 MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY

The term Myotonia is used for muscle stiffness of a special kind, while Dystrophy is the name for any inherited muscle disorder in which muscle shows progressive deterioration.

  In brief:

Myotonic Dystrophy is characterized by wasting of muscle (muscular dystrophy), cataracts, heart condition defects, endocrine changes and myotonia. Two types of myotonic dystrophy exists.

Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1), also called Steinert Disease, has severe congenital form and a milder childhood-onset form. Myotonic Dystrophy typw 2 (DM2), also called proximal myotonic myopathy (PROMM) or adult-onset form, is rarer than DM1 and generally manifests with milder signs and systems. DM can occur in individuals of any age. Both forms of the disease display an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

Even though there is presently no cure for DM and management is currently symptom based, a precise diagnosis is still necessary because of multiple other problems that may develop over time. Accurate diagnosis is important to assist with appropriate medical monitoring and medical management. Potentially serious anesthetic  risks are important to note, so the presence of this disorder should be brought to attention  of all medical providers. 

Scientists around the world are studying the unusual biological mechanisms that underlie MMD and working on pathways to treatment.

 Myotonic dystrophy is an inherited disease that affects both genders approximately equally. About 30,000 individuals in the United States are affected. DM causes general weakness, normally beginning in the muscles of the hands, feet, neck, or face. It progresses slowly involving other muscle groups, including the heart and a variety of other organ systems. A severe form of DM, congenital myotonic dystrophy or Thomsen's disease, may appear in newborns of mothers who have DM.

 (Congenital means that the condition is present from birth).

CEREBRAL PALSY 

(This is brief and very general information)

Cerebral palsy (CP) is divided into four major classifications which describe different movement impairments. These classifications also reflect the areas of the brain that are damaged. The 4 major classifications are; SPASTIC, ATAXIC, ATHETOID / DYSKINETIC and MIXED.

Common symptom is pain, and may result from the inherent deficits associated with the condition, as well s the numerous procedures affected individuals typically face. There is also a high likelihood of suffering from chronic sleep disorders associated with both physical and environmental factors. Pain may be associated with tight and or shortened muscle, abnormal posture, stiff joints, unsuitable orthosis  as well as other variables.

TREATMENT in the life of Cerebral palsy is the constant focus on preventing the damage in the brain from prohibiting healthy development on all levels.

Many experts believe that lifelong physiotherapy is crucial to maintain muscle tone, bone structure, and prevent dislocation of the joints.

The full intellectual potential of a child born with CP will often not be known until the child begins school. People with CP are more likely to have learning disabilities, although these may be unrelated to IQ, and are more likely to show varying degrees of intellectual disability. Intellectual level among people with CP varies from genius to intellectually impaired, as it does in the general population, and experts have stated that it is important to not underestimate a person with CP's capabilities and to give them every opportunity to learn.

SCOLIOSIS

 Stretch and Flexibility classes are offered at Snow Shadow Gymnastics for children and adults. Private or group sessions are led by Coach Kirk .

Individualized attention is of the utmost concern for each persons specific needs.

Please call to schedule an appointment to discuss your specific needs and arrange for a class-time to be scheduled. 

 Scoliosis (from Greek: meaning "crooked condition," from skolios, a medical condition in which an individual's spine is curved from side to side and may also be rotated. A person with scoliosis normally has a slight "S" or a "C" curvature instead of a straight spine.

Typical classifications are either congenital (caused by vertebral anomalies present at birth), idiopathic (cause unknown, sub-classified as infantile, juvenile, adolescent, or adult according to when onset occurred) or neuromuscular (having developed as a secondary symptom of another condition, such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy or physical trauma). This condition affects approximately 7 million people in the United States. 

VERTIGO

Classifying Dizziness / Vertigo

At one time or another everyone experiences a short bout of dizziness. Although frequent bouts of dizziness may be a sign of a debilitating medical condition and should be brought to the attention of a qualified professional physician.

* Dizziness does become more common as we age, and known to be more common among women than men

My hands-on experience of individuals that state to me that they feel dizzy after performing a somersault, handstand, or cartwheel is what has led me to research this phenomenon more attentively. After varying periods of prolonged instruction gymnasts tend to recover more quickly and develop a more enhanced neurological functioning process to stabilize and compensate the feeling of dizziness.

( How Gymnasts Compensate for the Sensation of Dizziness ) by Bruce Kirk

Most common dizziness for individuals occur when standing after sitting, lying down, bowing, tipping or inverting the body with a quick rapid return to an upright body position. This may be associated with a condition referred to as Orthostatic Hypertension more commonly known as a drop in systolic blood pressure. If symptoms of dizziness is an often occurrences a medical cheek up should be performed before continuing the type of movements causing these effect.

(non-inclusion: Spinning around with eyes closed and opening them to intentionally cause the feeling and sensation of dizziness)

BALANCE basics depend on our eyes, the condition of our inner-ear, and sensory nerve functioning

A variety of more common conditions that may cause dizziness are, but not limited to; Anxiety, Overheating, Dehydration, Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), Anemia (low iron storage), and Medications which normally last for one minute or less.

More complex causes may be Circulatory obstructions and or Neurological conditions

The mental or physical explanations of a false sensation can be;

* Seeing your surroundings spinning or tilting. Another totally different sensation may be that the individual feels like, they are leaning, tipping, or simply sense impaired balance when standing or walking. Either or, the sorting of these sensations may be referred to as Vertigo which is when improper nerve signals are in process of being rearranged, organized and than redirected before proper sensation of balance and stabilization returns. 

Feelings of nausea, or vomiting may occur during or after the onset of dizzy bouts as well as feelings of swaying, clamminess, sudden onset of facial or body perspiring

More common and complex symptoms of Vertigo is Meniere's Disease which may include ringing in the ears, or hearing loss with bouts lasting longer than 15 minutes. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and Labyrinthitis which is characterized with a sudden onset of vertigo including rapid eye movement without body movement.

IF YOU RECOGNIZE THESE SYMPTOMS IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO

SEEK A QUALIFIED MEDICAL PHYSICIAN

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