About

A love of Martial Arts combined with a passion for working with children with special needs.

 

Amanda is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant since 2002 who moved to San Diego from New York in 2015. She has been working with children with special needs since 1999, beginning her career as a teacher assistant at the preschool her sister attended as a child with spina bifida.


It has been Amanda’s dream for years to combine her love of martial arts with her passion of working with children with special needs; whether it’s autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, learning disabilities, hearing/vision deficits, etc. She has studied karate, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu since 2006 and has competed in kickboxing and grappling on an amateur level. Coaching is her passion and Amanda believes martial arts has many benefits to all children, but particiularly children who have difficulties with sensory processing, attention span, focusing on tasks, impulse control, body awareness, and low muscle strength. Amanda has taught adaptive martial arts and self defense at South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc., We Rock the Spectrum, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Challenge Center and various martial arts gyms in the San Diego area.


Special thanks must be given to Marco. For all his hard work, time and patience; in aiding Amanda with her classes.

Master Jack McBride


Master Jack is a 5th degree black belt in Taekwondo. He has been training since April of 1992, and was the lead assistant instructor under Grandmaster Choon Lee with the AKTA in Shawnee, KS before relocating to San Diego. He joined Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts in March, 2023 and became a Certified Autism Specialist in September 2023 under IBCCES. He is a father of three beautiful children, two of whom are also black belts in Taekwondo.


It has been Amanda’s dream for years to combine her love of martial arts with her passion of working with children with special needs; whether it’s autism, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, learning disabilities, hearing/vision deficits, etc. She has studied karate, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu since 2006 and has competed in kickboxing and grappling on an amateur level. Coaching is her passion and Amanda believes martial arts has many benefits to all children, but particiularly children who have difficulties with sensory processing, attention span, focusing on tasks, impulse control, body awareness, and low muscle strength. Amanda has taught adaptive martial arts and self defense at South East Consortium for Special Services, Inc., We Rock the Spectrum, Gigi’s Playhouse, The Challenge Center and various martial arts gyms in the San Diego area.


Special thanks must be given to Marco. For all his hard work, time and patience; in aiding Amanda with her classes.

Donate Today!

Amanda’s Adaptive Martial Arts is a 501c non-profit organization. We are committed to bringing the fitness and social benefits of martial arts to any child who desires it.


100% of the donations we receive will be directed towards offering a sliding scale to children who could not otherwise afford to participate.


A single $20 donation can allow a child to try a class for free. A $100 donation can bring a month of weekly classes within reach for a family that cannot afford to pay. Donations are tax deductible.


Amanda and her entire dojo thank you for considering a donation!