PROGRAM DIRECTOR:
Heidi Carpenter, OTD, OTR/L, RYT
FitnAZtics - Adaptive Gymnastics Program Director
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Heidi is a passionate and experienced occupational therapist and coach in the FitnAZtics Program at Old Pueblo Gymnastics Academy. Heidi has been coaching in the OPGA FitnAZtics program since 2017.
Heidi holds a Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University and works with clients and their families across the lifespan. She is also a registered yoga teacher.
Her primary goal for FitnAZtics gymnasts is to have fun while learning functional skills in a safe, supportive, and empowering environment.
Old Pueblo Gymnastics offers adaptive gymnastics classes for children with a range of special needs, including autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome. This program is directed by a certified and licensed occupational therapist and classes focus on basic sensorimotor and gross motor skills in a fun, gymnastics setting. Our small class size encourages safe participation and individualized instruction. Classes are taught by certified instructors. Any child with a diagnosed social, emotional or physical disability from ages 3-17 may participate.
COACHES
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Sydney Radcliff, OT
Madi Trujillo, OT
Helen Grant, OT
FitnAZtics is a program we developed at Old Pueblo Gymnastics Academy that welcomes children with special needs into a gymnastics environment. Led by an occupational therapist, our method encourages children with special needs to participate in physical activity by using gymnastics apparatuses, such as, bars trampolines beams, etc. We use gymnastics equipment to create an environment that will challenge kids and help transition them into a regular gymnastics class.
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What is the Big Fun Method?
The BIG FUN method was created by Gene Hurwin, M.A.OTR/L in Orange County, CA as a way to assist therapists and gymnastics coaches throughout the country in developing programs for children with special needs in a gymnastics setting. The BIG FUN philosophy as well as, here at FitnAZtics, is to give each child the opportunity to experience what all children are entitled to: an active life that is filled with excitement, self-confidence, discovery, and fun. Coaches build personal, nurturing bonds with their students, which allow the children to excel far beyond their limits. Sessions at FitnAZtics empower children to maintain the strength and endurance demands of peer play when at a playground. The BIG FUN sensory diet teaches self-regulation and modulation of behaviors which, in turn, helps children be more alert and organized at school and relaxed at restaurants, the shopping mall, and family outings and gatherings.
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The BIG FUN approach facilitates sensory play through:
Climbing
Tumbling/rolling
Obstacle course
Trampoline
Balance beam
Developing upper extremity strength
Increasing knowledge of location in space
Problem solving and creativity
Developing lower extremity strength
Coordination, balance, and focus
This approach provides the structure necessary for all children to excel in gymnastics: waiting, taking turns, sharing equipment, and maintaining appropriate behavior.
OPGA Adaptive Gymnastics in the news!
Physicians permission to participate
If your child has a physical disability, then a doctor’s note clearing your child to participate is required. Children with cognitive and emotional disabilities are not required to have a doctor’s note.
PRICES AND SCHEDULE
Because there are limited opportunities for kids with developmental challenges
to participate in gymnastics, Old Pueblo is offering classes led by our
occupational therapist at a reasonable rate in hopes that families will be able
to participate without having to opt out for financial reasons. Please email
us for current pricing. Private lessons are also available.
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Please contact the gym directly to inquire about the time frames during which the FitnAZtics classes are available.
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Before submitting an Interest Form, please create an account CREATE AN ACCOUNT and add your child as a participant. You must have an account and all policies and waivers must be accepted before we can move forward with an evaluation, classes or private lessons.
Please fill out and submit the interest form below. Someone from OPGA will contact you within a day or two to verify receipt of your information.