15/09/2026
From Passion to Proof: Science-Backed Martial Arts Therapy for Children with Special Needs 🥋🧠
For over 15 years, our team at ISKF Sri Lanka has seen firsthand how martial arts therapy transforms the lives of children with special needs. This journey began with Sensei Prasanna Fernando, who pioneered martial arts therapy for special needs individuals in Sri Lanka, dedicating his life to creating an inclusive space for growth.
Driven by this legacy, Shihan Fernando (BSc Hons in Software Engineering) recognized that bringing this unique methodology to the global stage required rigorous scientific validation alongside practical expertise.
Today, we are proud to share that our research paper titled "Effect of Martial Arts Therapy on Gross-Motor Skills of Children with Down Syndrome" was officially presented at the Annual Science Research Symposium (ASRS 2026) at NSBM Green University.
This academic milestone was made possible through an incredible collaborative effort led by:
🔹 Dr. Miruna Sudharshani Kalaimani Rabindrakumar – for her invaluable academic guidance and supervisor leadership throughout the project.
🔹 Mr. Shihan Fernando (BSc Hons in Software Engineering) – for bridging technology, ex*****on, and visionary leadership to take this therapy model forward.
🔹 Ms. Areena (BSc Hons in Biomedical Science) – for her relentless dedication in executing this vital research.
Our Vision Forward:
We aren't stopping here. By combining decades of practical experience with scientific backing, our mission is to scale this unique adaptive therapy system globally giving children with special needs new hope, enhanced physical coordination, and unshakeable mental strength.
This is just the first step towards a global movement. 🌍✨