Care2Run aims to support differently-abled young people to be more active, and sociable. Photos: Care2Run
Physical activities are essential for children with autism. It can help them improve their muscle tone and health. Here are a few sports training centres that help people with autism keep fit and healthy.
Care2Run
Care2Run in Petaling Jaya mentor people with special needs, including those with autism, through sports. They help people with disabilities build their gross motor skills and improve their social skills.
In 2015, three friends - Prem Kumar Ramadas, Chia Mee Leng, and Elgy Tan, founded this non-profit social enterprise.
Today, Care2Run has 30 volunteers to coach people with special needs.
In the span of five years, Care2Run has successfully trained over 300 people with autism, who have participated at the 2019 KL Bar Run, 2018 Bursa Bull Run and 2018 Allianz-Pacesetters Relay.
Care2Run also offers after school programmes for autistic children and youth to learn skills such as digital storytelling and photography. For details, go to care2run.my.
Thanks to Care2Run sports activities, children with special needs have an opportunity to shine.
Super Sharkz
Since 2009, Super Sharkz has taught children with autism to swim. The Selangor-based swim school was founded by siblings and former national swimmers Mark and Marilyn Chua. They have taught over 200 children with autism water adaptation, water therapy, and swimming.
The school also offers competitive swimming lessons to children with special needs. Classes are available for children with autism who are six years old and above. For details, call 03-61512513 or e-mail kotadamansara@supersharkz.com.
J World Sports
Former national shuttler Jason Wong holds badminton classes for children with autism. Currently, Wong and his coaches have 60 autistic students - between the ages of seven and 18 years old - under their wing.
The two-hour classes are held twice a week in Klang and Gombak.
Through these classes, his special students can learn how to improve their stability, balancing, and coordination skills. For details, contact 012-207 7871.
Former national shuttler Jason Wong (right) doesn't mind going the extra mile to help children with special needs. Photo: Jason Wong
Special Olympics Selangor
Special Olympics Selangor (SOS), founded in 2001, is affiliated to Special Olympics International, a United States-based sports organisation for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities.
It offers sports training programmes in bowling, badminton, football, swimming, and track and field activities for all ages.
The weekly two-hour training sessions are held at different sports complexes in Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya. Enrollment is free.
For details, go to specialolympicselangor.wildapricot.org/.
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