John Johnson

Autism & Down Syndrome Golf Instructor Teaching Manual John Johnson

I have identified a "niche" in working with Autistic & Down Syndrome children. Teaching them how to swing a golf club and play golf can enable them to have a brighter future. Once they have accomplished this and become proficient enough to play golf on their own, this just might be the vehicle to provide a more satisfying life. Most instructors are emotionally involved and dedicate their time to working with "God Special Angels". However, in working with these children, one must understand that working from the outside to the inside is critical. An example of the learning mentality of Autistic children. Mom might say " Okay, everyone gets into the car, everyone is going to Grandma's for dinner". The, Autistic child might say, "Mom, not everyone. My teacher is not going". Very famous people were autistic. This is not a malady as we sympathize with parents of Autist & Down Syndrome children. Medical Science says "there is no cure for this". Well if there is no cure then it must be a gift from"God". That makes these, Special Needs Children, being VERY SPECIAL as this gift is something that we as normal people do not have. When you experience a child with Down Syndrome in a room, for some unknown reason, they exude happiness. They have an angelic look on their face and their smile will melt an iceberg. Autistic children are known to be slow learners. Sometimes in a classroom they are looked upon as stupid and non-cooperative. This is WRONG. A normal child might look at an automobile engine and describe the parts. An, Autistic child will not only describe the parts but in detail will understand and describe the interrelationship of the parts. In teaching golf it is vitally important that a child is taught from the flight of the golf ball back to the angle of the clubface upon impact. This will then transmit back to position.