Movement That Matters
At Momentum Athletic Center, we’ve seen it firsthand movement is more than just physical. For children with autism and other developmental needs, physical activity is a powerful tool that supports emotional regulation, builds social confidence, and sparks genuine joy. That’s exactly why our Extraordinary Athletes program exists.
A recent article from The TreeTop ABA Center
highlights what so many families already know to be true: sports and movement-based activities can have a transformational effect on children with autism. Whether it’s improving coordination, learning to work through sensory challenges, or simply building confidence in a safe and supportive setting, these programs offer so much more than exercise.
Why Sports and Movement Help
Children on the autism spectrum often face unique challenges related to motor skills, communication, and social interaction. But when movement becomes part of their weekly rhythm, those challenges are met with new tools for growth.
According to experts, sports-based activities can help kids with autism:
- Improve gross motor skills and body awareness
- Support regulation and decrease sensory overload
- Practice patience, turn-taking, and teamwork
- Boost self-esteem and reduce anxiety
- Develop stronger brain-body connections through repetition and play
What’s especially powerful is that physical activity provides these benefits without requiring verbal communication.
That makes programs like Extraordinary Athletes
a safe and joyful entry point for kids who may not yet be ready for traditional team sports or group classes.
Our Approach: Safe, Supported, and Individualized
At Momentum, Extraordinary Athletes is more than a class — it’s a community. Each session is designed for kids with developmental needs, including autism, who thrive with structure, patience, and encouragement.
We maintain a low athlete-to-coach ratio, allowing each child to move at their own pace, celebrate their unique wins, and feel seen. Our coaches are trained to recognize sensory cues, offer individualized support,
and adapt movement activities
to fit every child’s strengths.
Here, movement becomes a bridge — a way to connect, build trust, and celebrate the moments that matter most.
Why It Works
When you remove the pressure of “performance” and instead focus on connection and regulation, something beautiful happens. Kids feel safe enough to try, confident enough to fail, and strong enough to succeed.
Whether it's walking across the balance beam for the first time, exploring sensory tiles, or simply sitting in a welcoming space filled with peers who understand them—our athletes are achieving real growth every single week.
No matter your child’s needs or diagnosis, they belong here. Our gym was built for movement—but it’s our community that makes the difference.
Because at Momentum, we believe that every child is extraordinary.
Interested in learning more?
See what makes our Extraordinary Athletes
extraordinary and reach out
to schedule a tour!
Discover how the Extraordinary Athletes program at Momentum Athletic Center in Parker, CO supports emotional regulation, social growth, and confidence-building for neurodiverse children through inclusive gymnastics and movement-based classes.
This is Elliott. She is the daughter of an EI provider. Elliott was very apprehensive about joining in the class. This was her first experience doing an activity separate from her mom and her grandma who cares for her during the week. Elliott was all tears the first class and mom held her and would put her down all while encouraging her to take part in the class. After all, mom is a Developmental Interventionist and knows the importance of being able to separate from mom and the confidence that builds in a child. The second class I held her the whole time and we walked around the class tearful and talking and intermittently trying the equipment. The third time, she entered with tears which soon dissipated, and she took part in everything! Elliott is a fun, enthusiastic athlete who tries everything and she has a supportive and very happy mom!
This is Mekayla. She entered the program and was disengaged socially. She didn't have body and spatial awareness and had to be monitored very closely. She is now fully engaged with all the equipment and coaches and does not need close supervision at all! She navigates all the stations and equipment with little supervision. She is smiling through the class, and is very brave and does all the equipment and is willing to try new things!
Preschool gymnastics is an excellent way to develop motor skills, confidence, and teamwork in young children. Not only does it introduce them to the foundations of gymnastics, but it also promotes healthy physical, cognitive, and social development. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of preschool gymnastics and why it’s essential for your child’s growth and development.
Preschool gymnastics is an amazing way for kids to develop their physical abilities and fitness. One of the most exciting parts of preschool gymnastics is the vault “event”, where preschool gymnasts can showcase their strength, coordination, and balance by running, jumping, and landing on a springboard. In preschool, we use a smaller springboard but the concept is the same – train the brain and body and develop confidence and a love for gymnastics that will carry them through the event as they grow.
Do you remember the thrill of standing on your head as a child, seeing the world from a completely new perspective? Do you recall the thrill of running full tilt, turning cartwheels across the grass, or the pride that swelled in your chest when you finally mastered that backflip on the trampoline? At Momentum Athletic Center, we have a program that invites your children to experience these delights and so much more.
In the world of early childhood development, every movement, gesture, and activity plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future. At Momentum Athletic Center, we’ve always believed in harnessing the power of movement to foster growth, both mentally and physically. Our Little Movers Preschool Gymnastics program is a testament to this belief. One of the foundational movements we emphasize is the “pencil” body shape. But why is this seemingly simple posture so crucial for preschoolers?