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WVU Today: Researcher’s martial arts outreach helps families affected by autism grapple with stress

WVU associate professor Jeanette Garcia and undergraduate student Luke Hallowell observe Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Studio instructors Ryan Leibreich and Tony Moenich demonstrate a grappling position.

Jeannette Garcia, a West Virginia University kinesiologist and health psychologist, is a community-based researcher who studies how children with neurodivergences, like autism, can benefit from judo and jujitsu classes, along with their caregivers.