A 17-year-old West Ranch High student is taking on the role of instructor for a free special needs defense class open to the public.

Josh Arquilevich, a second-degree black belt who’s on the autism spectrum, is planning to teach a variety of martial arts techniques through You’re Worth Defending. The Bright Star ATA Martial Arts program is designed for all children seeking to learn critical self-defense and bully-response skills in a fun and supportive environment.

“We’re going to be teaching two things,” Arquilevich said.  “How to use your voice to defend yourself – like saying ‘no’, or ‘stay away,’ and how to attack someone who is trying to get them.  How to attack and run away.”

Arquilevich earned the job through Bright Star’s Certified Instructor Trainee program, one of many opportunities that Bright Star offers for special needs and typical kids to learn critical life skills, develop confidence and embrace the value of giving back to their community.

“Josh trained for the past several years along with typical students,” said Jean Morrison, owner of Bright Star and fifth-degree black belt. “He had to overcome a few challenges like typical students in terms of how to manage other people, how to communicate well, how to maintain themselves under stressful situations, which would be difficult for anybody.”

“What makes Josh a great instructor is that he has an obvious care and interest in helping others to be their best,:” Morrison said. “He cares about what he’s doing and he cares about others. He’s achieved a second-degree black belt, so far. That takes a lot of time, effort and skill.”

Arquilevich believes that kids of all backgrounds and ability levels can benefit from the self-defense and bullying techniques he will be demonstrating in the You’re Worth Defending special needs self-defense class.

“I think (martial arts) is important because it teaches people discipline, gives them courage in themselves, motivation, and helps them become stronger people,” Arquilevich said. “Self-defense would be more important for (people with special needs), since they’re three times more likely to be attacked.”

Research from The Arc of the United States, an organization devoted to serving people with special needs and their families, shows that people with developmental disabilities are four to 10 times more likely to be assaulted during their lifetime than typical individuals.

Arquilevich’s disability, however, hasn’t interfered with his studies at Golden Valley High School, or his plans to enroll in a four-year university. He is adamant that special needs and typical individuals have more in common than people might think.

“(People with special needs) are just like everyone else. They wake up in the morning. They go to school or work. They come home. Some of them even have families,” Arquilevich said. “The only thing that differs is that they have to work harder and need more time to achieve their goals.”

This Sunday, Arquilevich will be assisted by Jared Morrow, a second-degree black belt and American Taekwondo Association State Champion.