Oita City Hosts Experience Event: 'Is it Just My Child?' - Answered with Data

The Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association (Oita Prefecture) will hold an experiential seminar titled 'Is it Just My Child? Answering Your Worries with Data' on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Compal Hall Audiovisual Room in Oita City, targeting parents concerned about their child's development. Professor Hirokazu Hirose from the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Waseda University will be the speaker, and participation is free of charge.

Background: Children in the 'Gray Zone' are Being Left Behind In Japan, approximately 5-6% of children are said to have Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) (according to DSM-5). Many cases are overlooked as merely 'clumsy' or 'restless,' and without appropriate support, they enter school, leading to learning difficulties, truancy, and decreased self-esteem as secondary issues.

On the other hand, accessing public developmental support services requires a doctor's opinion and a certificate of eligibility, posing significant psychological and procedural hurdles for parents. The needs of children in the 'gray zone,' who are 'not diagnosed but concerning,' and parents who want to grasp their child's condition early before health check-ups, have not been sufficiently met by the traditional support system.

This experience seminar is designed as a new approach for children and parents within these 'systemic gaps.'

Seminar Overview Date and Time: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9:30 AM doors open - 12:30 PM (scheduled) Venue: Compal Hall Audiovisual Room (Funai-machi, Oita City) Target Audience: Parents with children aged 4-6 years old Participation Fee: Free (advance registration required) Organizer: Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association Speaker: Professor Hirokazu Hirose (Waseda University, Faculty of Sport Sciences)

Day's Program Content Special Lecture: Professor Hirokazu Hirose (10:00 AM -) 'Viewing Children's Developmental Challenges Through Data: Early Detection of Developmental Disorders and Support You Can Provide at Home' Based on the latest findings on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), this lecture will explain how to 'visualize' children's developmental challenges and how to engage with them at home.

Gymnastics Demonstration: 'Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses Through Gymnastics' (11:00 AM -) Professor Hirose will demonstrate various coordination exercises with parents and children. Participants should wear comfortable clothing; everyone can join. This is an opportunity to enjoyably confirm your child's motor and sensory characteristics.

Assessment Measurement: Experience Three Types of Data Measurement On the day, the following measurement menus will be conducted: 1. Behavioral, Sensory, and Motor Assessment A 10-minute online check for 4-6 year olds for a simple screening.

2. Motion Analysis (Information Theory Analysis) Analyzing smartphone videos to visualize coordination patterns with quantitative scores.

3. Gaze Analysis (Eye-Tracking) Measuring eye movement and attention patterns with specialized equipment to quantify cognitive and sensory characteristics.

All three (1, 2, 3) are free, but each has a capacity of 10 people (first-come, first-served), so apply early.

Target Parents and Children: Parents who want to understand their child's current developmental status before the 5-year-old health check. Parents who are anxious about potential findings at health check-ups. Parents who have been told their child has mild developmental delays but are hesitant about formal therapy. Parents who want to resolve challenges before their child enters elementary school.

No doctor's opinion or certificate of eligibility is required. Anyone can participate easily.

Speaker Profile Professor Hirokazu Hirose (Nori Kazu Hirose) Professor, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University After obtaining a Ph.D. (Academic) from the University of Tokyo's Graduate School, he specialized in sports injury prevention, athletic training, and child physical development. As the physical coach for the Japan Women's National Football Team (Nadeshiko Japan), he contributed to their victory in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

He has been researching child motor therapy and developed the 'Be-You Program,' an early intervention program through play. He is promoting its dissemination in childcare and developmental support settings nationwide and building an early detection and support model starting from the 5-year-old health check.

About the 'Be-You Developmental Coordination Support Program' Behind the Event This experience seminar is held as part of the 'Be-You Developmental Coordination Support Program' deployed by the Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association.

The Be-You Program, supervised by Professor Hirokazu Hirose, upholds the philosophy of 'building the foundation of children's minds and bodies through play.' Based on sensory integration theory and neuroscientific evidence, it comprehensively supports the development of sensory, motor, cognitive, and social skills.

Its greatest feature is its operation as a private-sector motor therapy service that does not require public support procedures. Program commencement is possible from the week following application, without the need for a doctor's opinion, disability certificate, or eligibility certificate. This system can widely accommodate children in the 'gray zone' who are 'not diagnosed but concerning,' as well as parents who wish to engage proactively before health check-ups.

Application and Inquiries Advance Registration Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026 Apply via the QR code or the contact information below. Organizer: Japan Deaf Beach Volleyball Association Operating Consignor: Livence Co., Ltd. Phone: 080-5256-0499 Email: [email protected] *This is a private-sector motor therapy service. Measurement results are not a substitute for diagnosis.