1:1 lessons in a quiet North Shore lot (978) 238-8788 · pete@pirateskool.com · Topsfield, MA

Special needs

Bike lessons for autistic children

Yes, we teach autistic children. Yes, we can talk first. No, you do not need to put a diagnosis in a form.

Parents of autistic kids ask a tight set of questions. Here are the honest answers.

Sensory load

Helmets, unexpected touch, parking-lot noise, and a stranger standing too close can end a lesson before it starts. We use a quiet, closed lot. We’ll tell you what we’re about to do. If a helmet is the fight of the day, that becomes the work — or it waits.

Motor planning

Balancing, steering, and pedaling are three jobs. A lot of autistic (and dyspraxic) riders can do one and lose the others. We split them, then connect them. We’ll change bike size when the current one is lying.

Meltdowns and shutdowns

We do not push through a meltdown to “finish the drill.” There is no audience of other families. If the child is done, the child is done. That is still a lesson if we learned what the next one needs.

Non-verbal and semi-verbal students

We’ve taught children across that range. The call is where you tell us how your child says yes, no, stop, and enough. We don’t require spoken language to teach riding.

Can we talk before booking?

Yes. That is the default for this page. Request a call or dial (978) 238-8788 . Use the notes field for practical things (age, what failed last time). Leave the diagnosis for the conversation.

How many lessons?

It depends. Some autistic kids click in a session. Some need a longer runway. We will not sell you a package before we’ve heard the story on a call.

ADHD, dyspraxia, and PANDAS pages are not up yet. If that is your child, use this same call path.

Talk first

Request a call

Tell us the child’s age and anything that helps the first lesson go well. You do not need to share a diagnosis here.