Volleyball & Movement Learning
When I met Mia, a bubbly, nonverbal girl with Autism and ADHD, we started with simple passes on the court. But soon, I realized the volleyball wasn’t just a game, it was our language.
How connection began with one simple serve.
When I first met Mia, a bright, nonverbal girl with Autism and ADHD, we started with simple volleyball passes during recess. What began as a game quickly became something deeper — a language without words.
Through slow, patient repetition, we found rhythm. Each serve wasn’t just practice — it was connection. To make the experience more sensory-friendly, I used soft, textured balls that helped with grip and motion. Every toss built hand-eye coordination and, more importantly, confidence.
Later, I began 3D-printing small sensory toys shaped like human emotions. These became our bridge between physical play and emotional expression. When words were difficult, these tiny figures helped students communicate feelings — joy, pride, calm — and collaborate as a team.
Every movement told a story. Every small step became a victory. And through those moments, I learned that inclusion starts not with perfection, but with patience, play, and presence.