MARTIAL ARTS CAN FIGHT EFFECTS OF ADD.

Byline: Heesun Wee Daily News Staff Writer

The Padillas discovered their son has attention deficit disorder the way many do - through academic testing.

Five years ago, when he was 7 and about to enter second grade, Cory Padilla of Studio City performed poorly on a reading exam. Teachers thought he had dyslexia. But more diagnostic testing revealed he had ADD, a condition marked by an inability to focus and pay attention, impulsiveness and, sometimes, hyperactivity.

What sets the Padillas apart from other families faced with ADD is that they opted for drug-free treatment. Instead of turning to medication, including methylphenidate, most commonly known by the brand name Ritalin, they followed physicians' recommendations to have Cory try sports to help him concentrate.

Days later, Cory was learning a variety of body movements in kick-boxing, Ukidokan karate and Tang Soo Do classes. And, within a year, his behavior in and out of school had improved significantly.

``It (martial arts) helped me calm down and not get into so many fights,'' Cory said.

While medical experts say drugs sometimes are the only effective treatment for some people with ADD, martial arts - or any physical exercise - can be a positive alternative for others battling ADD. 

The increasing recognition that the ancient disciplines can control ADD has fueled unique courses such as one offered at a Santa Monica karate school. ``Focus Karate,'' martial arts courses specifically designed to accommodate children and adults with ADD, have been well-attended since since being launched a year ago.

Medical experts say martial arts appeal to people with ADD, encouraging them to focus and learn discipline, and have just enough stimulation.

``It's always a balance between too much frustration and giving them enough exposure so they learn to handle the frustration. Karate seems to be a good match for that,'' said Dr. James Kehr, founder of the Center for Attention Disorders in Simi Valley.

The Padillas' journey

The Padillas weren't too surprised by Cory's ADD diagnosis.

``He was very hyper and really creative,'' father Rick Padilla recalled.

Cory threw rocks at windows. He fought at school, earning a reputation as a bully. He constantly was moving and could barely sit still. But he also enjoyed singing. And he excelled in baseball and football.

Cory's parents initially attributed his behavior to his parents' divorce, but tests pointed to the disorder.

ADD is a neurobiological disability that affects up to 5 percent of all American children, according to Children and Adults With Attention Deficit Disorders or CH.A.D.D., a national support group. ADD symptoms continue into adulthood for an estimated 30 percent to 70 percent of those with the disorder.

A landmark study published in 1990 revealed adults with ADD use glucose, the brain's main energy source, at a lesser rate than adults without ADD. And the reduced brain metabolism rate was most evident in the portion of the brain important for attention, handwriting, motor control and inhibition of responses.

For many children and adults with ADD, drugs are the most common form of treatment. But wary of giving Cory medication, his parents followed physicians' advice that Cory try athletics. For Cory, a fan of Bruce Lee films, choosing the sport was easy. Mark Parra, Cory's martial arts instructor at House of Champions in Van Nuys, has been teaching children and adults with ADD for more than a decade. Parra intentionally does not separate students with ADD from other students. ``I expect them to pay attention and be still and do things correctly. The discipline settles them down,'' he said.

The first few lessons for Cory were challenging. ``He would move and wouldn't concentrate and they would make him do push-ups or do laps,'' Rick Padilla said.

``Before, I was just real hyper and I couldn't sit still and stuff,'' said Cory, who attends Millikan Middle School in Sherman Oaks.

Cory doesn't fight at school anymore. He sleeps better. He reacts less aggressively to tense situations.

``He does show signs of ADD, but he'll cap it,'' Rick Padilla said. ``I won't say it (martial arts) works for everybody, but it worked for us.''

An inappropriate mix?

The use of martial arts and other sports to treat ADD doesn't have universal backing among experts. Some fear the classes only provide already hyperactive people new skills with which to channel potentially violent urges.

``We're giving them some tools that could get them in trouble,'' said Dr. Robert Butterworth, a Los Angeles psychologist.

But Parra argues the sport should be considered for ADD children or adults on an individual basis. And martial arts aren't for someone with a severe case of ADD, said Lysa Mateu, who along with husband Miguel Mateu helped develop special ADD martial arts classes at L.A. Mateu Karate Dojo in Santa Monica.

Miguel Mateu began teaching Lysa - who has ADD - karate about two years ago. Those lessons developed into ``Focus Karate,'' classes that include martial arts techniques with ADD children and adults in mind.

Unlike other courses, ``Focus Karate'' teaches body movements and techniques over a period of time to reduce frustration. The pace of ``Focus Karate'' also is decidedly quicker to keep students' attention.

``There's no lag time or a lot of explaining,'' Lysa Mateu said.

Children and adults who do not have ADD also participate in ``Focus Karate'' because they want an alternative approach to the martial arts.

More children and adults with ADD attend their own exclusive class on Saturdays. Among the school's 55 students, about 20 have been diagnosed with ADD, Lysa Mateu said.

Horseback riding, chess and computers can, like martial arts, have the same calming and focus-inducing benefits for people with ADD, said Kehr.

But the Padillas say they're sticking with martial arts for Cory.

``I love the fact that my son has so much energy and a zest for life,'' Rick Padilla said. ``Find out what your child's gifts are and embrace them, mentor them.''

ADD-friendly places

House of Champions in Van Nuys and L.A. Mateu Karate Dojo in Santa Monica accommodate children and adults with attention deficit disorder. The Van Nuys school can be reached at [phone]. The Santa Monica school can be reached at [phone].

More information on ADD is available from the following groups:

The San Fernando Valley Chapter of CH.A.D.D. in Tarzana at [phone].

Children and Adults With Attention Deficit Disorders (or CH.A.D.D.) at [phone], or write to them at 499 N.W. 70th Ave., Suite 101, Plantation, Fla. 33317. Or visit their Web site: http://.www.chadd.org/.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, Box

Photo: (1--Cover--Color) FIGHTING for FOCUS; Martial arts can help in battle against attention deficit disorder

(2) Cory Padilla, 12, relaxes with instructor Mark Parra at House of Champions in Van Nuys. The Padilla family followed physicians' recommendations and chose martial arts as a method to combat the effects of attention deficit disorder.

(3) An important aspect of any martial art is respect for one's instructor. Cory demonstrates that by bowing to Parra.

Mario Prado/Special to the Daily News

Box: ADD-friendly places (See text)