Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu for the Neurodivergent
I sit in my classroom on this warm spring morning, half-finished energy drink on my desk, the sounds of my students arriving echoing down the halls and reverberating off of the lockers. I look at the schedule I’ve made for my students, but my brain doesn’t even register that my eyes have fallen on that sheet of paper. Instead, I’m thinking about Jiu-Jitsu.
This isn’t uncommon for me. I often find my mind wandering back to the mats, the techniques, the things I should’ve tried and the things I want to try next time. My jaw will be clenched with focus and my shoulders tense if I’m envisioning a particularly difficult roll.
Why does it matter so much to me? Why do I spend so much of my brain power on this one aspect of my life? What is it about Jiu-Jitsu that draws me in, even when I ought to be focusing on something else?
I learned this week that I am on the Autism spectrum. Nothing severe, but it sure helped explain why I feel so awkward and struggle in social situations, or why my memory is terrible, or why I get hyper-focused on just a few small things (like Jiu-Jitsu). So here I am, outing myself as someone with ASD in order to explain why I think Jiu-Jitsu is so important to neurodivergent individuals across the board. As a special education teacher, I have learned a variety of needs that neurodivergent people have, and here are some ways that I believe Jiu-Jitsu can help meet those needs:
Social Skills
Most people with ASD struggle in one way or another with socialization. If you’ve met me, this probably comes as no surprise. Being social is a skill. Most people learn it instinctively as they develop, but those with ASD often don’t pick up on social cues as quickly or easily. Having a sport like Jiu-Jitsu gives us a chance to practice those social skills but also to be able to have non-verbal interaction, which is a huge bonus for those on the spectrum who have social difficulties.
Routine
Study after study has shown the importance of routine for those with ASD and even a variety of other neurodivergent traits (1) (2) (3). A consistent schedule of going to the gym can easily become habit, especially when immediate rewards/results are seen (such as being able to do an armbar for the first time).
Not only can a scheduled gym time be helpful for neurodivergent individuals, but the structure of how a Jiu-Jitsu class operates helps to meet the need for consistency. Classes tend to run the same, or similar in every gym: warm-ups, drills, technique, roll. That set standard is a beneficial reinforcement that keeps individuals coming back.
Stimming
Those with ASD often do something referred to as stimming. This refers to the person’s repetitive motor or verbal behaviors. In reality, everyone has a stim of some kind: playing with your hair, tapping your toes, etc. The difference is that people on the Autism spectrum can interrupt their own thinking or routine when they stim. An example would be someone focused on biting their nails instead of listening to or viewing instruction. Stimming has a variety of causes such as:
Understimulation - The person hasn’t received enough sensory input and needs more.
Overstimulation - Stimming can help block out excess sensory input by giving the individual something to focus on
Self-Comfort - A person may feel overwhelmed by their environment or their emotions, and stimming can offer comfort.
Jiu-Jitsu can provide the sensory input necessary to reduce stimming in an individual’s life. The close contact/physical touch, the pressure, the soft mats, the temperature; these are all ways that stimulation needs can be met for those neurodivergent individuals participating in Jiu-Jitsu.
Self-Worth
All neurodivergent people experience struggles with their own self-worth. All too often, they are reminded of what they can’t do. This isn’t always intentional, but regardless, it happens just the same. Especially when an individual is considered higher functioning, depression is often a side product of their diagnosis. From my own anecdotal experience, I have often felt unintelligent or stupid based on my experiences in education, the work force, and interpersonal relationships.
However, having the ability to learn Jiu-Jitsu can be a huge boost to someone’s self-esteem once they begin to find little “wins”. Maybe it’s just finally learning a sweep. Maybe it’s winning a competition. Maybe it’s finally not falling for the same submission your coach hits you with every class. Regardless of what the win is, it builds a confidence that is of major benefit.