Bright Stars Gymnastics is a program for children diagnosed with Autism or High Sensory Issues. Our Brite Stars program will have children in our gym during a time when the gym is most empty. The children will experience gynnastics in a safe environment with very low ratio classes.
Ms. Dena Daniel started this program in 2010. She has coached many children throughout her years at NMGC who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum and High Sensory Spectrum. She has noticed the many benefits of gymnastics to the children: sequencing, better focus, communication, building of muscle strength, and help with gross and fine motor skills.
Ms. Daniel approached the owners of NMGC Susan Durning, Carolyn Garrison and Igor Shumila with an idea of having a special program set up for Autistic and High Sensory children. The hours would be during the morning and afternoon when the gym is not as full. Choaches involved in the program would donate their time. The owners agreed to let Ms. Daniel use the gym and equipment at no charge.
Classes
The classes in the program last for 45 minutes. The class size will be no more than 3 children in a class. Hours for Bright Stars Gymnastics in the gym are from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Gymnast time for class is determined during communication with child's parents and Ms. Daniel.
Each child will warm up with the instructor. The children over the course of the classes will get to experience time on all four events, obstacle course, tumble track, trampoline, pit and so much more. We will work on strengthening the muscles, working turns and listening, sequencing, focus on direction, gross Motor and fine motor skill. Most of all we will work on having fun in a safe and loving environment.
Cost
The program is a free program to those who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum of High Sensory Spectrum.
Please contact Ms. Dena Daniel if you are interested in this program.
There are no set classes. Parents interested in the program will be contacted personally by Ms. Daniel. She will then try and set a scheduled class time for the gymnast.
Dena Daniel is the Director of the Preschool Program at NMGC. She has over 20 yrs experience in the gymnastics field - coaching, competing, and being a gymnast parent.
She has a degree from Missuri State University in Consumer and Family Economic with a heavy focus on child development. Her second degree was obtained from Kennesaw State University in Elementary Education K-5.
Ms. Dena has worked at NMGC since it opened. She has coached preschool, recreational classes, developmental, cheerleading, boys, and compulsory teams while she has been at NMGC.
Ms. Dena, since her grade school years, through high school, and after college, has worked with special needs children.
She is very excited to be able to have the support of the owners of NMGC to start the program.
Please e-mail Ms. Dena Daniel at dldaniel@comcast.net with any quiestions you might have.