Judo, Joy, and Just Being Understood: Ieuan’s Story
Written by Alex Hannah (Ieuan’s father). Subtitles added by the Neurodiverse Sport team to support readability.
Alex Hannah is a UKCC Level 1 British Judo Association Assistant Coach at Kensho Judo Club, where he supports both children and adults. But perhaps his most important coaching role is at home—as a dad. In this blog, Alex shares the journey of his son Ieuan, a young neurodivergent judoka, and what it’s meant to navigate the world of sport together. From diagnosis and school challenges to pride on the podium, this is a story about resilience, community, and the power of believing in your child.
Ieuan Hannah
A Journey Begins: Finding the Right Space for Ieuan
Ieuan began his Judo journey just over two years ago, while he was undergoing diagnosis for ADHD and ASD. He is also hypersensitive to sound. Ieuan has a fundamental need for rules and expectations to be explicitly stated and thoroughly explained. When his needs are understood and met, he is his happy, caring self. But when they’re not, he can become dysregulated—sometimes inattentive, sometimes explosive. These outbursts are as difficult for him as they are for us.
Sadly, Ieuan’s needs were not understood for much of his early childhood. He left mainstream education and was excluded from two dance schools before the age of six. That’s a lot of rejection for a young child to carry.
After being excluded from the dance school, Ieuan asked to try martial arts. We found Kensho Judo Club in Redhill, Surrey (kenshojudo.co.uk) and contacted the instructor, Mike Hurst, to explain our situation and ask if we would be allowed to support Ieuan during class.
Mike didn’t hesitate—he said yes.
We could stay in the class, come onto the mat if needed, and support our son to access the sport. It seems simple, but too often clubs enforce blanket rules that don’t allow parents to stay. For a child with additional needs, that support can be the key to participation. Mike embraced it. That choice made all the difference.
Sensei Mike Hurst
The Power of Collaboration: Parent and Coach Working Together
It hasn’t all been plain sailing. If Ieuan’s had a hard day at school or a falling out with a friend before Judo, supporting him can be like walking a tightrope. Confusion over expectations, or sudden changes, can lead to emotional outbursts.
But Mike has worked relentlessly with us to find strategies that help. These have included:
Creating a visual timetable of the class structure so Ieuan knows what’s coming next.
Allowing both parents to come onto the mat when needed (which actually led to me becoming an assistant instructor!).
Setting up a sensory tent at the side of the mat so Ieuan has a place to decompress if dysregulated.
Ieuan and his Sister
Thinking Differently: Solutions that Work
What’s become clear is this: there’s always a way to enable engagement. You just need to think outside the box.
For example, at one point Ieuan would become extremely dysregulated whenever asked to choose his favourite technique in class. This could have been avoided by removing him from the situation—but we wanted him to stay engaged.
So, we gave him a tool: a Judo book he could browse at his own pace. It helped him make a choice calmly and regulated.
Another effective approach has been letting him teach. When he gets to take the reins and coach someone—his mum or a new pupil—it gives him a sense of control, recognition, and pride. It’s been a powerful way to help him emotionally regulate and stay on the mat.
And I have to say—he is a wonderful teacher. Patient and gentle.
Ieuan and his Sister
Progress Through Partnership
We still have difficult lessons now and then. But thanks to the strategies we’ve put in place, they’re far less intense, and they no longer outnumber the good ones. Now, even on a bad day, Ieuan can stay on the mat and keep practicing—the thing he loves most.
I want to emphasise just how important Mike has been in this journey.
He runs a busy club on his own, coaching dozens of children between the ages of 5 and 16. Yet he has always found time to work with us, stay open-minded, and adapt his approach for our child.
This partnership has been life-changing.
A Moment of Pride
In December 2023, Ieuan entered his third Judo competition and won gold. He worked hard in every fight and produced some brilliant Judo.
After the final match, he looked at me and said:
“For the first time, I am proud of myself.”As a parent, after years of rejections from schools and sports clubs, hearing those words is indescribable. It gave him a level of self-belief that no adult can give—it came from inside.
Reflections and Advice for Other ND Parents
Here are some things I’ve learned that I hope will help other families:
Support your child to participate in activities they choose.
But do your research. Talk to the coach first. Get a feel for their understanding of additional needs and willingness to make adjustments.
Support the coach.
Most instructors are doing this out of love for the sport, not because it’s easy. They have their own limits—and they don’t know your child like you do. Help them learn.
Spot the triggers.
Be proactive, not reactive. Try to identify patterns that lead to distress and share those with the coach. A bad lesson is an opportunity to reflect and adapt—not a reason to give up.
Know when to move on.
If a coach isn’t the right fit or won’t make reasonable changes, leave. This isn’t about winning a power struggle. It’s about your child’s wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
The physical, emotional, and behavioural benefits of Judo for Ieuan have been transformational.
Ieuan’s story isn’t just about a child succeeding in sport—it’s about what happens when we remove barriers, embrace difference, and believe in potential. His journey shows that with patience, partnership, and creative thinking, we can help more neurodivergent children access not only sport—but self-worth.
Sometimes, the greatest victories happen before a medal is ever won.
“I promise you: when you find the right club and the right approach for your child, the benefits will be huge.” — Alex
Takeaways From Ieuan’s Story
For Neurodivergent Individuals:
You deserve environments that work for you
→ Self-belief grows when you're supported to succeed—not forced to mask or adapt.
One safe adult can change everything
→ The right activity and the right support can unlock confidence and joy.
Confidence can grow in the right conditions.
→ Feeling confident isn’t always automatic—it can be nurtured through support, belonging, and validation.
For Peers. Supporters, and Parents:
Small wins are huge
→ What seems minor to some can be a life-changing achievement for others—celebrate it.
Patience and calm are powerful tools
→ Consistency and emotional safety can do more than any formal intervention.
Your support matters more than you think
→ Advocating, listening, and encouraging can ripple out far beyond the moment.
For Coaches, Leaders, and Organisations:
Adaptation unlocks participation
→ Flexibility doesn’t lower expectations—it widens access and raises engagement.
Parents are partners, not obstacles
→ Welcoming family involvement can help children feel safer, seen, and supported.
One champion can shift a whole culture
→ When even one coach or teacher gets it right, it can change the trajectory of a child’s life—and their family’s too.
This blog post was written by Alex Hannah (Ieuan’s father). Subtitles were added by the Neurodiverse Sport team to support readability.