Skateboard Program for Special Needs Children, Teens Rolls into Farmington

Farmington mother Jan Borreil has looked for "extracurricular opportunities" for her autistic son, but hasn't found many. 

So she decided to help create one. Borreil discovered Success on Skateboards" and is working on bringing the skateboard program to Farmington for "kids of all abilities."

On Sunday, Nov. 10, Brian Armstrong of SOS will lead a free skateboarding event at the Tunxis Meade skateboard park. 

"The teen years are the natural bridge into becoming an independent adult and my son needs more guidance and supervision," Borreil said. "Teens are becoming the leaders themselves at this point. My son likes individual sports like swimming, skiing, surfing, and used to love to skateboard. All these sports, though individual, are great social opportunities. Kids with autism struggle socially. When my son swims or skis he feels so relaxed in his body and can actually communicate and interact so much better."

According to a program flyer, SOS focuses on "the disabled, dysfunctional and dedicated" to "improve balance, coordination and flexibility," develop muscle strength, endurance and cardio-fitness,""increase concentration, focus and persistence," boost "confidence, social skills and self esteem" and develop independence, positive attitudes and respect. SOS instructors will introduce people of all levels to the sport and parents can request a one-on-one session for children with disabilities or special needs. 

"The idea of SOS is based on our belief that all children deserve the opportunity to get active and get social," Armstrong wrote in an email to Patch. "Jeff Blayman with WorshipSkateboards and I created the concept of a special program that would use the skateboard to bridge the gap between the work being done in therapy offices and giving kids something to do with their typical peers."

So, why skateboarding? 

"Within the skateboarding community we have discovered there is an innate desire to help and support others who struggle in mainstream social situations, yet are discovering the joys of skateboarding," Armstrong said. "The philosophy of Sensations Charitable Foundation is that in order to make changes we all need to work together and do things differently."
   
The event introduces the program to the Farmington community, Armstrong said, with the hope to continue it in the winter at an indoor facility that would be willing to house the skateboard ramps.

"Parents have enjoyed watching their children blossom because of the joy they experience in the program as well as meeting other parents with similar experiences," Armstrong said. "For many parents it is the first time they have brought their child to something that is good for them that does not require coaxing or cajoling to get into the car – simply saying we are going to skateboard is enough of a prompt.  One boy has said he would rather go to the program than birthday parties or the fair where he could get his annual taste of cotton candy."

He also plans on having a similar session in the spring to celebrate the season and offering a spring and summer program.

The program relies on monetary donations and also donated space to hold the programs. 

Sunday's event runs from 2 to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit Success on Skateboards on Facebook, visit the website at www.empoweringabilities.org or check out the Success on Skateboards blog on Farmington Patch.

To register, email Armstrong at brian@empoweringabilities.org.