How Movement Supports Emotional Regulation in Children with Developmental Delays and Disabilities
The Impact of Gymnastics at Momentum Athletic Center
At Momentum Athletic Center, we believe that every child deserves a space where they can move, grow, and thrive—just as they are. Our Extraordinary Athletes program was created to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where children with any kind of delay and or disability can explore movement in ways that help them feel supported, confident, and understood.
What we’ve witnessed in our gym week after week is more than progress in physical skills—it’s progress in communication, connection, and emotional regulation.
Why Movement Matters
For children with delays and disabilities, emotional regulation can be deeply tied to physical movement. Climbing, jumping, swinging, and balancing aren’t just fun activities—they activate the vestibular and proprioceptive systems in the body. These systems are crucial for understanding where the body is in space and how it’s moving, which in turn supports attention, self-soothing, and the ability to respond calmly to new situations.
The structure and routine of a gymnastics class provide predictability and a sense of safety. Each class offers opportunities to try new things at a child’s own pace, paired with patient, trained instructors who know how to adapt the experience to each athlete’s needs.
Emma’s Story
Emma is a young athlete who has been attending our Extraordinary Athletes class for over a year. When she first joined, she was overwhelmed and hesitant to even enter the gym. There were tears, uncertainty, and hesitance to engage with any equipment or coach.
But our team met her exactly where she was.
Over time, we began to understand her preferences. She found comfort in deep pressure on her feet, and we discovered that this helped her feel ready to move. She began doing forward rolls with assistance, exploring the sensory tiles, and walking on the balance beam with growing confidence. Emma’s mom has told us many times that she has never seen Emma engage so happily in anything like she does with her gymnastic class, and she is forever grateful.
Today, Emma arrives early and eager to get started. She verbalizes animatedly, waits (patiently!) for class to begin, and enjoys every minute! She’s made connections with her coaches, and she radiates joy as she moves through the gym. Most telling of all? She doesn’t want to leave when class ends.
Emma brightens our Tuesdays, and her journey is a powerful reminder of the connection between movement and growth.
We are forever grateful for Emma and her family for honoring us by continuing to bring her to Momentum where we all learn and grow together.
Creating a Space Where Every Child Can Shine
Our coaches are trained not only in gymnastics instruction, but also in creating a calm, regulated environment with the support strategies each child may need—from visual cues and sensory breaks to modified equipment and routine-building.
We’ve seen children go from nervous and disengaged to smiling and thriving. We’ve watched nonverbal children find their voices—sometimes through words, sometimes through movement. And we’ve celebrated the tiny moments that lead to big breakthroughs.
