What are Developmental/Intellectual Conditions or Disabilities?

This category of disability includes individuals with learning disabilities, epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, and cognitive impairments. Typical characteristics may include: a slower rate of learning, difficulty with reasoning, poor memory, a short attention span, hyperactivity, social immaturity, perceptual deficits, and problems with agility and movement.

When teaching tennis to players who fall into this category:

• Establish a routine and stick to it.
• Demonstrate activities (e.g. Shadow Drills); keep verbal instructions simple and consistent.
• Provide constant repetition and routines (review, review, review).
• Keep lines short (don't have people standing around doing nothing).
• Feed students three to five balls during each turn.
• Be generous with praise.