When Jonathan was in preschool he wanted to play soccer just like his big brother, Josh. So when he was old enough to start playing for the private soccer organization, we signed him up. At his age the games consisted of four tykes against four tykes with no goalie. The field was small. And if I recall correctly, they weren't even allowed to play in "positions." The idea was to get them used to running after the ball. In my opinion this only reinforced what kids do at this age anyway, which is "beehive" around the ball. (Picture eight four year-olds all buzzing around a small soccer ball as it moves up and down the field).
For the most part, Jonathan was off in his own world during most of the games. He never did the proverbial squat in the middle of the field picking daisies as others played around him. Instead he stood in one place and pondered the mysteries of the world. Something like this...
One particular game stands out in my mind. The entire first half (two eight minute quarters) he stood rooted in one spot. When he came off the field I asked, "Jonathan, why aren't you chasing the ball?"
"I wonder what the other team's name is?" he replied.
"I don't know. And it doesn't really matter."
"They are wearing red shirts. What team name goes with red shirts?" He continued to muse.
"The Flames? The Cardinals?" I suggested trying to get him back on track.
"I think they are the Cherries," he suggested.
"That's not a team name. No one calls their team 'the Cherries.'" Now I'm exasperated.
"Why not? They are wearing red. I think they are the Cherries." He said with conviction.
"Okay, they're the Cherries. Now go out and run after the ball." I said as the referee blew the whistle to start the next half.
He played the rest of the game bee-hiving with the best of them.
After that trial season, we decided he needed to be in an individual sport, where a team wasn't depending upon him. We tried gymnastics. He was actually very skilled. So skilled that another little boy got bumped out of the size restricted class. However, the boys gymnastics coach left. The organization supposedly was calling us back when they hired a new coach. In the words of Jonathan mimicking SpongeBob, "Five years later."
Once again Jonathan expressed an interest to be back on a soccer team. Scott decided to coach Jonathan's team for a number of reasons. Understanding Jonathan won't always be "on the field" was just one reason.
Of course, Jonathan is older now and on an ADHD medication. He's a defender. And he's a decent defender and goalie. In fact, even Nemesis is forced to admit, "As long as Jonathan is on the field no one is going to get a ball by him." (For those of you who want the background on "Nemesis" you'll have to check out two links to other posts. I'll place these links at the end of today's post.)
Here he is coming from behind and catching up with the play. This is one of his best skills. He's a fast runner.
"Oh, no, you're not going to get this ball past me!"
I couldn't resist putting this picture in of Jonathan and his coach (a.k.a. Dad).
Now, if you want to read more about Nemesis. You'll need to go
here. And if you want to know why I decided I needed to give him an anonymous name, you'll have to go
here and read the third section of my miscellaneous thoughts.
"I wonder what the other team's name is?" he replied."I don't know. And it doesn't really matter.""They are wearing red shirts. What team name goes with red shirts?" He continued to muse."The Flames? The Cardinals?" I suggested trying to get him back on track."I think they are the Cherries," he suggested."That's not a team name. No one calls their team 'the Cherries.'" Now I'm exasperated."Why not? They are wearing red. I think they are the Cherries." He said with conviction."Okay, they're the Cherries. Now go out and run after the ball." I said as the referee blew the whistle to start the next half.He played the rest of the game bee-hiving with the best of them.After that trial season, we decided he needed to be in an individual sport, where a team wasn't depending upon him. We tried gymnastics. He was actually very skilled. So skilled that another little boy got bumped out of the size restricted class. However, the boys gymnastics coach left. The organization supposedly was calling us back when they hired a new coach. In the words of Jonathan mimicking SpongeBob, "Five years later."Once again Jonathan expressed an interest to be back on a soccer team. Scott decided to coach Jonathan's team for a number of reasons. Understanding Jonathan won't always be "on the field" was just one reason.Of course, Jonathan is older now and on an ADHD medication. He's a defender. And he's a decent defender and goalie. In fact, even Nemesis is forced to admit, "As long as Jonathan is on the field no one is going to get a ball by him." (For those of you who want the background on "Nemesis" you'll have to check out two links to other posts. I'll place these links at the end of today's post.)
Here he is coming from behind and catching up with the play. This is one of his best skills. He's a fast runner.
"Oh, no, you're not going to get this ball past me!"I couldn't resist putting this picture in of Jonathan and his coach (a.k.a. Dad).
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Comments (2)
I was trying to imagine my boy on a soccer field as I read this, and all I could do was giggle. He has a hard enough time in a karate class paying attention to what he's supposed to be doing while watching both himself and all the rest of the class in the mirrors! Still, I'm glad we tried it because he loves it, he's getting exercise, he's improving his skills (albeit slower than the average student) and gaining confidence. And that is all to the good. Glad to hear Jonathan is able to play the sport he enjoys!
this is the first time that I hear, in the most of the others autism sites, people promove the use of Viagra and sport activities to stimulate the social contact.