A HERNE Bay martial arts club is leading the world in teaching karate to children with Asperger's syndrome and autism.

Every Thursday evening the town's Masonic Temple in Cecil Park echoes to the sound of 30 youngsters yelling "kiai!" to karate instructor Joe Ellis.

Herne Bay: Joe Ellis, right, of Kent Karate School, demonstrates a move on one of his students
Fighting talk: Joe Ellis of Kent Karate Schools with his Herne Bay pupils

The sixth dan instructor, who has himself had Asperger's syndrome diagnosed, has been teaching the sport in East Kent for 28 years.

But it is only recently that he has started working closely with autistic children.

The boss of Kent Karate Schools said: "We've launched a partnership of excellence with the National Autistic Society to provide specialist karate education.

"In our classes in Herne Bay we have almost a 50/50 ratio of non-autistic to autistic kids.

"It is our flagship class and where we have set up a dedicated instructor training programme.

"Karate is being taught to autistic kids in the United States, Finland, Germany, Northern Ireland – but it has all grown out of our work here in Herne Bay."

Mr Ellis, 50, is chairman of the National Association of Karate and Martial Arts Schools (Nakmas), which has 73,000 members.

He works closely with his wife Sandra Beale-Ellis, a qualified teacher and director of operations for the association who has also had autism diagnosed. Together they run an instructor training and awareness programme for karate teachers.

Mr Ellis says karate can be an ideal way of helping children across the autistic spectrum to gain confidence and social awareness.

He said: "We have two autistic black belts who help with teaching here. Karate can bring so much to people with autism.

"It is highly structured and predictable; there are clear routines and instruction which are very important to most people with Asperger's.

"It started when I was asked to give the keynote speech at the launch of the iExist campaign in 2008. It was set up to highlight the lack of support for people with autism by the National Autistic Society.

"Not long after, I was asked to coach 30 autistic kids in Northern Ireland.

"We set up a Partnership of Excellence and opened an integrated karate club for local children and those with Asperger's syndrome and mild autism. It is amazing how it has flourished.

For details of the classes, call Joe on 01227 370055 or visit www.nakmas.org.uk. Joe also teaches at Kingsmead Leisure Centre in Canterbury.