By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT TOOK Debbie Soward almost 15 years to find a hobby her son enjoyed.
Brayden suffers from autism and Debbie often found the teenager would not want to continue with activities soon after he started them.
That was until Debbie, from Eumemmerring, signed up her 15-year-old son to Zumba lessons at the Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre last year.
“He absolutely loves it,” Debbie said.
“For a long time there I could find nothing he enjoyed outside school.
“I think it’s the actual music, the Spanish music.
“I’m just totally amazed; I can’t believe the outcome of it.”
Debbie said she had spotted an advertisement in the local paper for free Zumba for Kids classes at the Neighbourhood Centre and, knowing that Brayden seemed to enjoy dancing, thought she’d encourage him to give it a go.
“With kids like Brayden it’s often hard to find what they do and don’t like.
“Somewhere along the line I saw a trail and thought I’d wander down there and see if he liked Zumba,” she said.
“He loves dance but trying to figure out where he fits in all these things can be a bit of jigsaw puzzle.
“I wondered if he would engage in it, but right from the first session he was fantastic.
“His whole face lights up when he does the class.”
She said Brayden would keep taking the Zumba class for as long as he could, which is taught by Claudia and caters specifically for children.
Claudia said she has been so impressed with Brayden’s progress that there could certainly be a spot for him in the adult class.
“He is amazing, he puts his heart and soul into it and is a real inspiration for me,” Claudia said.
“He’s even learning to sing the songs in Spanish.”
The Zumba for Kids program was originally funded under a City of Casey community grant but as that has finished, the classes are now fee-for-service at $70 for a te10-week term.
The classes are held on Tuesdays at 4.30pm during school terms at the Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre.
Contact 9700 3789 for more information.
