Showing him the world...

My son, PJ, has Autism. Diagnosed at age two, it has changed our lives in so many ways. We have been lucky to find activities for PJ that offer him special supports to accommodate for his needs while still allowing him the experience that so many neruo-typical children have- the chance to participate in performance groups and sports.

Cheer leading, by far, has been our biggest coup as parents. Something we stumbled on by accident, cheer has allowed PJ to blossom in ways I never imagined possible. At the time, our thought was that cheer was social, athletic, and vocal, all things that PJ needed to work on. We figured at worst, he would jump around, have a great time, and meet some great people while he worked on his skills.

What we didn't expect was for PJ to fall in love with performing. The same child who sometimes struggles with eye contact came alive on stage. We could visibly see a light turn on on his head the first time he heard applause and understood it was for him. By the end of the season, my little showman was playing for the crowds! It was like nothing I had ever seen or dreamed of, and such a gift for both of us!

Soccer has been another fantastic experience. PJ has the opportunity to learn about the game and play on a team. Each week, young volunteers are on hand to guide the players through stretches, drills, exercises. Soccer is well beyond my sporting capabilities, and I am so thankful to the teens that come out to help my son and his teammates. This year, PJ has two outstanding boys who work with him each week. They patiently guide him through the basics of the game, cheering when he does well and correcting him when he needs more work. They also spend a lot of time chasing him all over the field, bless their hearts!

PJ has tried horseback riding, gymnastics, dance, art, and a host of other activities, all offered by teachers who want to make they things they love accessible to children with special needs, and every single pieces of their love that we have tried has been a gift. When PJ was first diagnosed, my biggest fear was that he would miss out on all of those things, and I am endlessly grateful to the people who have opened these doors for him.

But our best day, by far, was the day PJ got to try surfing. He has always loved the ocean, and thanks to the amazing generosity of a group called Waves of Impact, PJ got to experience the ocean from the waves to the shore, instead of the other way around. I am, in general, a nervous mama, but I did not have one ounce of fear as the volunteers whisked PJ off and out into the water to ride the waves. PJ was out there for about 45 minutes, and during that time I took 334 pictures of my son as he smiled bigger and brighter than I have ever seen him. PJ loves being on stage, and he loves soccer, but there was something about the feeling of his beloved ocean from atop that board that clearly was the experience of a lifetime! He was brave, happy, adventurous and joyful. He was the best I have ever seen my sweet, smart, funny son, and it's engraved in my heart.

Thanks to the people who give to my son so effortlessly, my biggest fear has been averted- the fear that Autism would cause PJ to miss so much of what the world has to offer. At age four he has already tried out so many things, and we can't wait to see what's ahead!

Brie Latini is a Northeast Bloggers rep for the Garden State and loves all things coffee, Flyers, books and Honey Boo Boo! Brie shares her stories at her personal blog, {...a breezy life}, and has been featured at Mamalode, Jersey Moms Blog, Metrokids Magazine Online and South Jersey Mom Magazine!
Connect with us!