Soccer: It's More Than Just a Game

Every Sunday, we take big kid to Soccer practice. There are a lot of children ranging in ages and abilities. 

Watching these boys interact (or try to) is a sight to see. It's hopeful, it's exciting, it's insightful. The kids may not have a clue what they are doing or even why. Heck some don't even understand the rules. Some (like big kid) have only one mission in mind: to score a goal - regardless if it's on the wrong side of the field. 

But there's one thing they all have in common: they all have a beautiful smile, they are happy, running, kicking, feeling the warmth of the sun in their faces. And that my friends is PRICELESS! 

You can't buy that in stores. Fancy shoes and gear don't mean anything to them including big kid. 

There are several kids with Autism much more severe than big kid. I've questioned myself if this is the right setting for him. After all, he's not like the other kids. Each child is unique. But I do feel that big kid needs to be around all kinds of people of all abilities. I say ability because nobody is perfect. Everyone functions at different levels. Both typical and non-typical. 

You know what I see on that field every Sunday? Kids being kids. Having fun. Gaining confidence. I don't give two flying saucers if big kid scores a goal on the wrong team. He's having fun. He finally feels comfortable around his peers- something I don't think he fully feels around the typicals. 

Don't get me wrong, usually typicals cater to big kid like an older sibling does. Which is nice. 

A couple of years ago, we enrolled him at the Y for summer camp. He only went for 3 weeks. He wasn't happy there. Between refusing to eat, not wanting to take swimming lessons, and so many kids, I think he was overwhelmed. Plus, maybe typicals can be quite competitive. Maybe he realized that he couldn't run as fast as the others or couldn't do things as adeptly. 

All I know is that it brings me joy seeing him play and kick that soccer ball with all his might. He even does a little song and dance on the field during breaks. I'll have to record that next time. 

 "Every child is gifted.  They just unwrap their packages at different times." 
-- unknown

 "Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of the mind than on outward circumstances." --- Benjamin Franklin

 “I choose not to place “DIS”, in my ability.”  ~ Robert M. Hensel

 “I know of nobody who is purely autistic, or purely neurotypical. Even God has some autistic moments, which is why the planets spin.” 
― Jerry Newport, Your Life is Not a Label

 “If they can't learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn” 
― O. Ivar Lovaas

 "The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” 
-- Scott Hamilton




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