Re: Summer Sports: How much information should we give?

[Guest guest]

I find it difficult to not explain Ethan's behaviors, but I give

way too much information. This summer I am attempting to not

disclose the autism diagnosis but did tell the coach that my son was

somewhat immature and might cry if his team lost. He wrote back

saying that kids Ethan's age typically don't care about who won or

lost because they have snacks at the end of the games and the kids

care more about those. He dismissed me, but I decided to go with it

because perhaps that will be all my son will care about as well so I

am not going to color this guy's perception - I am however sending

my father to watch every game so that there is an adult to back up

Ethan if he has a meltdown.

>

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

sports. My

> seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

was

> fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

was not

> too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is

this; I

> thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

inattetion

> and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation

in as

> little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

requires

> frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

this,

> How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

quiet

> and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

me

> and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

not

> to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I

have

> never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

else

> handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

would

> be appriciated.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I find it difficult to not explain Ethan's behaviors, but I give

> way too much information. This summer I am attempting to not

> disclose the autism diagnosis but did tell the coach that my son was

> somewhat immature and might cry if his team lost. He wrote back

> saying that kids Ethan's age typically don't care about who won or

> lost because they have snacks at the end of the games and the kids

> care more about those. He dismissed me, but I decided to go with it

> because perhaps that will be all my son will care about as well so I

> am not going to color this guy's perception - I am however sending

> my father to watch every game so that there is an adult to back up

> Ethan if he has a meltdown.

>

>

I explained a little in the beginning about AS (to the coach) during

my son's trying to be on the swim team. Then I offered to stay for

each practice. After about 1 1/2 weeks of my son just hanging on the

ropes of the lanes, the coach came up to me for more information. I

told her that he knew how to swim, it was just taking him time to get

used to everyone else and to having to swim at a sustained effort.

She tried to get me to have him drop out and take lessons. I said no

way as he had already taken lessons for two years. She said he would

never swim during a meet. I said that I didn't care if he practiced

all year and never swam in a meet, he was going to do this (practice

with the team each day). The only requirement for the team was to

swim one length of the pool which he had done. I then threatened to

go to the mayor's office and make a big stink. She backed off and

within another week, my son felt comfortable enough to swim the lane

without holding on to the ropes. I still had to sit at the end of his

lane, though. By the end of the swim year, my son had actually swum

in a few swim meets and won a medal for the most improved swimmer. He

received an invitation to swim with the team the next year and I

received an apology from the coach. However, we didn't swim the next

year as ds decided it was too much work.

Good luck!

C

[Guest guest]

Hello,

right now, for you, giving too much information, " must be needed " , You will

know when its time to slow down. maybe now is not the time. but as time go on,

you will know just the right things to say and when its enough. I would rather

say too much, than too little. Now that my son is 9. and everybody knows him

so well, " because I said/explained alot. I don't need to say hardly anything

anymore. I just tell him. remember your manner's, don't be too silly. etc. I

will say this just before I drop him off.

LJL <laura6307@...> wrote:

I find it difficult to not explain Ethan's behaviors, but I give

way too much information. This summer I am attempting to not

disclose the autism diagnosis but did tell the coach that my son was

somewhat immature and might cry if his team lost. He wrote back

saying that kids Ethan's age typically don't care about who won or

lost because they have snacks at the end of the games and the kids

care more about those. He dismissed me, but I decided to go with it

because perhaps that will be all my son will care about as well so I

am not going to color this guy's perception - I am however sending

my father to watch every game so that there is an adult to back up

Ethan if he has a meltdown.

>

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

sports. My

> seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

was

> fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

was not

> too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is

this; I

> thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

inattetion

> and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation

in as

> little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

requires

> frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

this,

> How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

quiet

> and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

me

> and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

not

> to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I

have

> never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

else

> handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

would

> be appriciated.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Our son now 19yrs. played baseball, flag football, karate....the only

things I mentioned were his asthma and allergies.....at 7yrs. believe

me most of the kids playing baseball become inattentive while waiting

ea. play...you'll see them squating down playing in the grass

throwing it in the air, playing in the dirt....so other then being

there for him I wouldn't think it necessary to say anything other

then allergies or asthma....most people don't even know what AS is.

We were there whenever our son did a sport, and I monitored his

social interaction, and then would go over anything that might be

helpfull to him, or work with his questions. We just let him

enjoy...he couldn't play high school football, or run track, because

of his asthma...the coaches really wanted him, because he was such a

hard worker to achieve.

God Bless

Connie T.

>

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

sports. My

> seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

was

> fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

was not

> too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this;

I

> thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

inattetion

> and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in

as

> little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

requires

> frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

this,

> How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

quiet

> and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

me

> and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

not

> to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

else

> handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

would

> be appriciated.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have a 7-year-old aspie son too, whom I've never signed up for sports, except

the Little Gym -- he couldn't/wouldn't have done it. I tried skating once and

swimming classes once (with the same information dilemma) but he just wouldn't

pay attention. Now I think he might be ready and this exchange is useful --

I've been wondering if he's too behind already skill-wise, but this email from

Connie suggests maybe they're all still beginners at 7? That would be a relief.

Should I just sign him up and see how it goes, coach him extra if he needs it?

R.

korea_48446 <korea_48446@...> wrote:

Our son now 19yrs. played baseball, flag football, karate....the only

things I mentioned were his asthma and allergies.....at 7yrs. believe

me most of the kids playing baseball become inattentive while waiting

ea. play...you'll see them squating down playing in the grass

throwing it in the air, playing in the dirt....so other then being

there for him I wouldn't think it necessary to say anything other

then allergies or asthma....most people don't even know what AS is.

We were there whenever our son did a sport, and I monitored his

social interaction, and then would go over anything that might be

helpfull to him, or work with his questions. We just let him

enjoy...he couldn't play high school football, or run track, because

of his asthma...the coaches really wanted him, because he was such a

hard worker to achieve.

God Bless

Connie T.

>

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

sports. My

> seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

was

> fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

was not

> too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this;

I

> thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

inattetion

> and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in

as

> little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

requires

> frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

this,

> How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

quiet

> and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

me

> and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

not

> to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

else

> handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

would

> be appriciated.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have been a special Olympics coach and my son went to special Olympics It

was a perfect environment as he got older... He was NEVER picked on.

Now... How much information is too much? Sometimes as parents we do worry

way too much... But I would say " My son has Autism ( or aspergers) don't

get into high functioning low functioning.. Etc.. And then say.. " what may

appear as misbehavior can mean autism ~ if you have any questions.. Let me

know! "

-- ( ) Summer Sports: How much information should we

give?

Hello all,

I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer sports. My

seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance was

fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it was not

too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this; I

thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons inattetion

and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in as

little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and requires

frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is this,

How much information is too much information? Should I have kept quiet

and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at me

and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed not

to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone else

handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput would

be appriciated.

[Guest guest]

OH yeah.. And having been a coach.. That blank stare could mean.. He/she has

gotten a little bit of instruction from EVERY parent there... So far.. And

they are like a deer in headlights.. " little jimmy is allergic to bees~

can't have citrus.... .. Is prone to nose bleeds ... Etc etc etc.

LOL they are probably terrified LOL

-- ( ) Summer Sports: How much information should we

give?

Hello all,

I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer sports. My

seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance was

fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it was not

too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this; I

thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons inattetion

and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in as

little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and requires

frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is this,

How much information is too much information? Should I have kept quiet

and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at me

and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed not

to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone else

handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput would

be appriciated.

[Guest guest]

My son's baseball coach was excellent the past two years he played. He is a

neighbor and we felt pretty comfortable telling him about Conor's

difficulties. He gave Conor a set # in the lineup because he knew it was

freaking him

out to be at a different spot every game. We decided not to sign up this

year. Conor really loved the idea of being on the team, but was so heightened

right from the get go every game, it was just too much for all of us. Pam

[Guest guest]

Janie,

I think you're better off giving them the information. If they choose

not to listen, that's their problem. At least you tried. Of course,

you want to be their to help your son out if tt here is a problem. We

had good success witih basketball one season for when he was 8

-- the coach had a son with special needs. The followiing year, he

had a very competitive coach who was HORRIBLE,, and didn't listen to

one word I said. We pulled out after three games.

Liz

On May 17, 2006, at 10:57 PM, janiemop30 wrote:

>

> Hello all,

>

> I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

> sports. My

> seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance was

> fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

> was not

> too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this; I

> thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons inattetion

> and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in as

> little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

> requires

> frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

> this,

> How much information is too much information? Should I have kept quiet

> and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at me

> and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed not

> to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone else

> handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput would

> be appriciated.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

I would definatly concider signing your son up. Bowling has been great

for my son. It has increased his concentration, helped with gross motor,

and gave him some sence of acomplishment. He actually won a trophy at

the city bowling tournament this year. He came in second place in the

handicap division for 11 and under and he is only 7. Depending on the

child, I would however be conciderate of the kind of sport I enrolled

him in. Some sports have too much stimulation and are meltdowns waiting

to happen. Bowling has been a very good experiance for us. We will see

about baseball.

> >

> >

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

> sports. My

> > seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> > summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

> was

> > fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

> was not

> > too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this;

> I

> > thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

> inattetion

> > and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in

> as

> > little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

> requires

> > frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

> this,

> > How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

> quiet

> > and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

> me

> > and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

> not

> > to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> > never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

> else

> > handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

> would

> > be appriciated.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you Janie! I think bowling is a fantastic idea! I'm going to look into

it.

Best,

janiemop30 <jsilance@...> wrote:

Hello ,

I would definatly concider signing your son up. Bowling has been great

for my son. It has increased his concentration, helped with gross motor,

and gave him some sence of acomplishment. He actually won a trophy at

the city bowling tournament this year. He came in second place in the

handicap division for 11 and under and he is only 7. Depending on the

child, I would however be conciderate of the kind of sport I enrolled

him in. Some sports have too much stimulation and are meltdowns waiting

to happen. Bowling has been a very good experiance for us. We will see

about baseball.

> >

> >

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

> sports. My

> > seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> > summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

> was

> > fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

> was not

> > too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this;

> I

> > thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

> inattetion

> > and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in

> as

> > little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

> requires

> > frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

> this,

> > How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

> quiet

> > and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

> me

> > and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

> not

> > to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> > never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

> else

> > handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

> would

> > be appriciated.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

, this is my first summer of attempting all of this as well. I

am really hopeful! I have him signed up for baseball, an Olympic week

at a local day camp which will be all day for 4 days, a 2 hour per day

one week long basketball camp at another time, a week long all day

science camp, and a social camp that is one hour once a week for 7

weeks. I am also going to find some kind of swimming class. I have

four kids and have my second son in the same Olympic camp and science

camp. I am going to find a camp for my 4 year old daughter as well,

but am not sure what it is going to be. Usually, I just like to hang

out at home over the summer so this whole drive the kids everywhere is

going to be totally new.

>

> I have a 7-year-old aspie son too, whom I've never signed up for

sports, except the Little Gym -- he couldn't/wouldn't have done it. I

tried skating once and swimming classes once (with the same

information dilemma) but he just wouldn't pay attention. Now I think

he might be ready and this exchange is useful -- I've been wondering

if he's too behind already skill-wise, but this email from Connie

suggests maybe they're all still beginners at 7? That would be a

relief. Should I just sign him up and see how it goes, coach him

extra if he needs it?

>

> R.

[Guest guest]

Our son starts swimming lessons today. At age 10, he is aware that

he has learning differences and at this point does not mind that we

share with others knowing it helps him to be understood. This is the

note that I wrote and son is going to discretely hand to the

instructor: " Hello, you will find that our son is a friendly and

eager to please boy. However, he has a learning difference called

CAPD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder. " (By the way, in the

letter I do not give ALL the details of his diagnosis, such as ADHD

because in my opinion, for our child the CAPD is his most

challenging concern and the rest need not concern them). " What this

means is that he hears your voice, the instructor, the other

children and any background noise with the same degree of intensity

which makes it difficult for him to concentrate. At times, it is

helpful to repeat or rephrase instructions for him to fully

understand what is expected of him. Thanks for your patience and if

you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me. " In the

past when I opted not to provide such a letter, we found that son

failed miserably because the instructor assumed that his not

following directions was on purpose, but when we did give a

background people seem to be more understanding and helpful because

they realize that any negative behavior is not willful.

-Velvet

> > >

> > >

> > > Hello all,

> > >

> > > I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

> > sports. My

> > > seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to

play

> > > summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the

experiance

> > was

> > > fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore,

it

> > was not

> > > too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is

this;

> > I

> > > thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

> > inattetion

> > > and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his

situation in

> > as

> > > little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

> > requires

> > > frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question

is

> > this,

> > > How much information is too much information? Should I have

kept

> > quiet

> > > and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply

looked at

> > me

> > > and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they

seemed

> > not

> > > to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and

I have

> > > never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how

everyone

> > else

> > > handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any

imput

> > would

> > > be appriciated.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

I was a special Olympics Bowling Coach.. I love their program ! I know it

can be hard to accept your child being in special Olympics..but it is a

great program... If mainstream doesn't work well for your child. And if

your child is high functioning.. I have found that they can be very

compassionate towards children with down syndrome etc.. Its a very accepting

environment.

-- Re: ( ) Re: Summer Sports: How much information

should we give?

Thank you Janie! I think bowling is a fantastic idea! I'm going to look

into it.

Best,

janiemop30 <jsilance@...> wrote:

Hello ,

I would definatly concider signing your son up. Bowling has been great

for my son. It has increased his concentration, helped with gross motor,

and gave him some sence of acomplishment. He actually won a trophy at

the city bowling tournament this year. He came in second place in the

handicap division for 11 and under and he is only 7. Depending on the

child, I would however be conciderate of the kind of sport I enrolled

him in. Some sports have too much stimulation and are meltdowns waiting

to happen. Bowling has been a very good experiance for us. We will see

about baseball.

> >

> >

> > Hello all,

> >

> > I had a question that has risen in my experiance with summer

> sports. My

> > seven year old son dx with Aspergers decided that he wanted to play

> > summer baseball. Today was their first practice and the experiance

> was

> > fairly good. It only lasted 15 minutes due to rain therefore, it

> was not

> > too difficault for him to stay on task. Anyway, my problem is this;

> I

> > thoughtfully decided to tell the coaching staff of my sons

> inattetion

> > and listening problems. I easily tried to discribe his situation in

> as

> > little words as possible. I suggested that he has problems and

> requires

> > frequent prompting in order to maintain attention. My question is

> this,

> > How much information is too much information? Should I have kept

> quiet

> > and let the situation develop? The coaching staff simply looked at

> me

> > and basically I go no reply. They ask no questions and they seemed

> not

> > to care. My son has participated in bowling for two years and I have

> > never disclosed his disability. I was just wondering how everyone

> else

> > handles this situation and if I totally botched it up? Any imput

> would

> > be appriciated.

> >

> >

> >

> >