BusynMember
Well-Known Member
Sonic, as y ou know, is eighteen, but since our problems with him are more the same as younger kids, I'm going to keep posting mostly about him here. I hope nobody minds. He's just not a parent emeritus kid.
The story: Sonic bowled so well in the Special Olympics (his average was 139) that he got to go onto the regional. For anyone with a "different" child who has any cognitive issues, even if his IQ is normal, I strongly recommend this group. Sonic, as unsure as he is with other people, has old friends from way back and exudes a confidence I never see in him when he is there. But that's not the issue.
Hub and I noticed starting with the first bowling tournaments that the other kids get excited for one another and do a lot of high fiving, whether they have a good or a bad frame, but especially if a frame is good or somebody gets a strike. Sonic often walked past outstretched hands and acted as if he didnt' even know they were there...lol. This was usually when he was disappointed in his frame. He did not look defiant. He looked preoccuped. We actually had to explain to him that everyone high fives to be friendly and to pay attention because his friends were disappointed when he didn't notice. He said, "Yeah, I know."
I don't know if it's his shyness or just him being angry at himself if he has a bad frame. He certainly breaks into a huge smile and usually high fives everyone when he does well. He bowled 125, 107 (shockingly low for him) and 166...so he came in fourth rather than third and could not go onto State Finals. Still, he was one of the youngest in his particular ability group and did really well. We had great fun watching all the athletes. But the high five thing puzzled me. Any thoughts from those with kids on the spectrum? Sonic WAS interacting if others engaged him (and they did).
In a way...it was funny.
The story: Sonic bowled so well in the Special Olympics (his average was 139) that he got to go onto the regional. For anyone with a "different" child who has any cognitive issues, even if his IQ is normal, I strongly recommend this group. Sonic, as unsure as he is with other people, has old friends from way back and exudes a confidence I never see in him when he is there. But that's not the issue.
Hub and I noticed starting with the first bowling tournaments that the other kids get excited for one another and do a lot of high fiving, whether they have a good or a bad frame, but especially if a frame is good or somebody gets a strike. Sonic often walked past outstretched hands and acted as if he didnt' even know they were there...lol. This was usually when he was disappointed in his frame. He did not look defiant. He looked preoccuped. We actually had to explain to him that everyone high fives to be friendly and to pay attention because his friends were disappointed when he didn't notice. He said, "Yeah, I know."
I don't know if it's his shyness or just him being angry at himself if he has a bad frame. He certainly breaks into a huge smile and usually high fives everyone when he does well. He bowled 125, 107 (shockingly low for him) and 166...so he came in fourth rather than third and could not go onto State Finals. Still, he was one of the youngest in his particular ability group and did really well. We had great fun watching all the athletes. But the high five thing puzzled me. Any thoughts from those with kids on the spectrum? Sonic WAS interacting if others engaged him (and they did).
In a way...it was funny.