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The children flock to the circle of chairs in the Sloan Elementary School gymnasium. They patiently wait for their instructor, Michelle Lautman, who sits in the middle with a large beach ball.

"Ready, Tommy? Look at me," says Lautman, as she tosses the ball to the boy.

The beach-ball toss is the first of many warm-up exercises in Sports Skills Training for Children With Special Needs, held Mondays at the school in Murrysville. Class members range in age from 8 to 11 years old; all have developmental disabilities, including autism.

Their abilities vary, but they're all here to learn the basics of sports -- kicking and throwing a ball, running bases, taking turns.

"Our purpose is to give them some skills so they can join in another program," said Michele Clarke, director of recreation for Murrysville. "We want them to be able to play at a family picnic or any casual setting."

Lautman leads the children through a series of exercises that include catching and throwing large balls, clapping, and tapping their heads and shoulders with their hands. Once the warm-ups are over, they form a line to practice kickball.

The kids take turns booting the ball, and eventually they learn to run the bases. By the end of the session, they have played a game.

Clarke started the class at the suggestion of a mom from Murrysville.

Beth -- who asked not to be identified further -- had been looking for something her 7-year-old, Samuel, could do during the winter months. Murrysville Recreation offers a yoga class for kids with special needs, but Beth was hoping for something more active and of greater interest to boys.

"By the time some of our children are ready to learn those (sports) skills, they are older than kids in traditional programs," she said. "They need to learn competence around the skills of kicking, pitching and other skills like taking your turn and teamsmanship."

Clarke immediately saw the value of a sports training class for children with special needs, who often don't have the skills -- or the opportunity -- to take part in simple sports. She developed a class that would teach the basics of kickball, basketball, soccer and T-ball.

There was no problem getting the class approved by the municipality.

"We have a recreation council that is advisory," Clarke explained. "If somebody suggests something that sounds reasonable, we give it a try."

The program attracted a lot of interest from parents, including some who live as far away as Pittsburgh's northern suburbs. The class, limited to 12 children, is being offered again.

In addition to learning fundamental skills, class members get some much-needed physical activity.

"It's important to feel fit," Clarke said. "Everybody feels good about themselves when they can move well."

Lautman, a special education major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, patiently walks each child through a dribbling drill and constantly cheers them on.

As the game continues, parents huddle around and cheer for their kids. As one slides into first base, another trips over the ball. Laughs are heard throughout the gym.

Some children have moments when the noise or activity feels overwhelming. But they all participate, and each one sports a huge smile when his foot makes contact with the ball.

After their turns, the children wait patiently to be called on again, eager to show off their newfound abilities.

In addition to kicking and throwing, Lautman says she wants the kids to learn to socialize with others their age.

"They need those skills," she said. "Not just the skills of sports, but interacting."

For information about sports skills or yoga classes for children with special needs, call Michele Clarke at the Murrysville Recreation Department at 724-327-2100, Ext. 115.

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