A group of mothers watch on in a Canberra martial arts studio, overjoyed their kids have found somewhere they can be themselves.
They are sitting in a taekwondo class in Canberra, which has helped kids with a disability improve concentration and curb aggression.
Nicola Harrod set up No Limits taekwondo after hearing stories of children with disabilities being asked to leave mainstream martial arts classes, which she thinks is because they are perceived as "disruptive".
"They have enough trouble in their everyday life just to be included in anything," she said.
Ms Harrod understands what that feels like.
Born with cerebral palsy and autism, she spent her childhood moving up the ranks of taekwondo until she became a black belt.
She fought against the barriers in some mainstream classes that she described as "too traditional and strict".
"I was told that 'if you can't do this kick, then you cannot grade. It's not possible. I don't care what doctors certificate you provide'," she said.
Ms Harrod started running the classes at the Palmerston Community Centre in north Canberra early this year.
She teaches students aged six to 10 — all with different abilities.
The group is kept small to maximise support, while Ms Harrod has help instructing from her husband, Houssam Shebaily.
Concentration and discipline improve quickly, parents say
Seven-year-old Jasper Smith's mother, Donna, said the class had already helped improve her son's concentration and discipline at school.
She hoped in time he would also build resilience and skills in self-defence.
"My fear is when he grows up, he's going to be picked on and this is one thing that he might remember what to do," Ms Smith said.
Parents of several students told Ms Harrod their children had become less aggressive or violent at school since attending her classes.
"A lot of them have started to get reductions in how often they're fighting, or they've started using other methods instead, like gently blocking the other person rather than punching them back," she said.
Six-year-old Thomas Heath, the youngest student, was a ball of energy and enthusiasm during one class.
He quickly picked up the kicks, steps and punches.
It was only his second week but his mother, Cassandra, said his behaviour at school had already transformed.
"Thomas is quite aggressive in the classroom," she said.
"And this last week his aggression has reduced, which is amazing".
