HUGS was developed by the United States Gymnastics Federation. This is an adaptive gymnastics program designed especially for special needs individuals of all ages.
The FREE program consists of training fun designed for athletes with Special Needs. Parents are welcome to stay and encouraged to participate or observe the program. Instruction is provided by certified Spirit Gymnastics coaches and volunteers trained to work with special needs children. Lakeland Regional Rehabilitation staff partners with us, providing occupational therapist as part of the program providing adaptive gymnastics therapy recommendations.
This program is designed to help special needs children to improve physical abilities, balance, coordination, strength, endurance, flexibility, environment to practice and learn social skills, and a place to build confidence with adaptive gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, parachute activities, bounce house and a wide array of games and activities for fun.
Learn more about How Adaptive Gymnastics Helps Children With Special Needs
Through the HUGS Special Needs Program we have seen how the children become more verbal, improved direction following and learned to take turns through a rotation. Our athletes also develop close relationships with each other and their coaches. Children who are able to develop early relationships with peers have higher self-esteem, better mental health and greater levels of independence and more successful employment records as adults.
