New York teacher's love of boxing inspires her to launch class for young people on the autism spectrum

Jessica Margulies is changing the way people see boxing.

Margulies teaches children with autism, and she began boxing about five years ago to alleviate stress. Boxing makes her feel "confident and strong," Margulies told Today, and she realized that this would be a "great" experience to share with kids with special needs. "Boxing has a negative connotation, typically we think violence and we think fighting and we think anger, but actually it's the opposite," she said. "It teaches you control and release."

She started the Spectrum Bout at the Title Boxing Club in Queens, New York. The Spectrum Bout is a boxing class for people on the autism spectrum between the ages of 7 to 22. They work on their coordination, learn about discipline, and are taught to hit only when the gloves are on. It's a place where they feel accepted, Margulies said, and have their voices heard.

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Michele Roett-Maynard's son Joshua participates in the Spectrum Bout, and she told Today he enjoys engaging with his fellow boxers through sparring. "I think it gives him a sense of confidence because he's a lot calmer than what he used to be," she said. "The world at times can be a really cruel place and you're just hopeful that there will be people who will understand our kids and help them." Catherine Garcia