ADAPTIVE MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM

Where Occupational Therapy Meets 50 Years of Martial Arts Experience

Adaptive martial arts for children with disabilities and developmental differences — building stronger bodies, sharper minds, greater confidence, and greater independence.

Experience. Knowledge. Discipline. Purpose.

Professor Anthony Caravelli

Known as “Coach T”

At the heart of our program is Professor Anthony Caravelli, known as “Coach T” — an Occupational Therapist, Martial Arts Master, educator, and mentor with nearly 50 years of martial arts experience and more than 30 years of professional experience in Occupational Therapy.

Coach T began his Occupational Therapy career after graduating from the Occupational Therapy program at San José State University (SJSU) in 1994. Throughout his career, he has worked with individuals across a remarkable range of ages, diagnoses, and therapeutic needs.

Mental Health

Supportive, structured participation

Neurological Rehabilitation

Stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries

Dementia & Alzheimer's Care

Compassionate, predictable routines

Geriatric Rehabilitation

Strength, safety, independence

Physical Rehabilitation

Coordination, strength, mobility

Pediatric Occupational Therapy

Play-based skill development

For nearly five decades, martial arts has been an integral part of his life. He understands that true development is about more than physical ability — it is about building confidence, discipline, focus, coordination, resilience, independence, and the belief that you can continue to grow.

By combining the principles of Occupational Therapy and martial arts, Coach T creates a unique approach that focuses on the whole person. His goal is not simply to help people perform an exercise or complete a task, but to help them develop skills they can carry into everyday life.

Whether working with children, adults, older adults, or individuals facing physical, neurological, developmental, or mental-health challenges, Coach T believes that every person has the potential to learn, adapt, and improve.

Experience. Knowledge. Discipline. Purpose. With decades of experience in both healthcare and martial arts, Coach T brings together two worlds that share a common goal: helping people become stronger, more capable, and more independent.

Adaptive Martial Arts

In a therapeutic setting, the emphasis is on participation, skill development, safety, and personal growth rather than competition or winning. Activities can be adapted to a child’s age, abilities, and goals.

It is a comprehensive approach to building stronger bodies, sharper minds, greater confidence, and greater independence.

Participation

Choice & engagement

Safety

Clear boundaries

Growth

Individual pace

Inclusive instruction for every child’s pace, strengths, and support needs.

Our mission is to provide inclusive, adapted martial arts instruction that enables children with disabilities and developmental differences to participate, learn, and grow in a safe and encouraging environment. We tailor activities to each child’s abilities, interests, communication style, and support needs, recognizing that every child develops and progresses at a different pace.

Through structured, age-appropriate martial arts practice, we aim to create opportunities for children to develop physical skills such as balance, coordination, strength, and body awareness; practice focus, perseverance, and self-confidence; and build positive experiences of participation, choice, and interaction with others. We value each child’s individual progress and seek to make every class respectful, predictable, and welcoming.

Our program provides adapted martial arts instruction informed by therapeutic principles.

How Participation May Help

With appropriate instruction and support, participation may help children develop skills that carry into everyday life.

Develop physical skills

- Strength, balance, coordination
- Flexibility and body awareness
- Controlled movement on the mat

Build attention & self-management

- Follow sequences step-by-step
- Pause before acting
- Practice managing frustration

Strengthen social skills

- Take turns and share space
- Communicate and cooperate
- Show respect for peers & instructors

Grow confidence & persistence

- Work toward achievable goals
- Recognize progress over time
- Experience of choice and success

Learn about personal safety

- Age-appropriate awareness
- Basic protective skills
- Clear boundaries around their use