I Love This Kid

There is nothing better than finding something he likes and enjoys and wants to do again.

Last night, at the recommendation of his developmental pediatrician, we tried a gymnastics class at the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics.

Turns out they have a couple classes for kids on the spectrum. Turns out one of those classes has one other 12 year old boy enrolled. Turns out the teacher is studying to be an Occupational Therapist and is gifted with working with kids. Turns out there's a class for Anna right around the same time.

Turns out, he loved it.

There were so many awesome moments (that started even before we left the house):


  1. There was no issue about wearing the shirt we bought for him which was sleeveless (if you've been following along you know he has a strong dislike for short-sleeved shirts).

  2. He ate all his broccoli at dinner without complaint.

  3. When it was time to leave the house to go to gymnastics he was excited.

  4. When we pulled up to the building he got out of the car, peeked into the big glass windows and saw a giant pirate ship along one wall of the building. Not only is there an actual ship structure coming out of the wall but there is a big pit of foam blocks under the ship for the "water" and the kids get to jump off the ship into the water. 

  5. We went in and they immediately went over to the baby play area while waiting for their classes. They watched the other kids, paying particular attention to any and all action around the pirate ship.

  6. Anna's class started first. She got right in line and off she went. She loved it. Jumping, somersaulting, walking on the balance beam, etc. At the end of her class she got to play on the pirate ship and one of my favorite moments was watching her stand at the edge and jump off the side into the big blocks of foam. She hesitated just long enough for it to mean something and then jumped in.

  7. While Simon was waiting for his class to begin he was playing Angry Birds on my phone. A couple minutes before class started another boy who looked to be about his age walked in, took off his shoes and looked around. I saw him notice that Simon was playing Angry Birds. He walked over to Simon and stood right behind his chair, maybe just a little too close for someone he didn't know, watching him play. I  saw the boy's Dad watching me watching them. He said the boys name in a way that meant "move back" and I said, "that's okay, I think they are going to be in class together." At that point the boys got introduced to one another ("Simon, this is M, he's going to be in your class.") and ended up having a little discussion about Angry Birds and Simon shared my phone with M so he could have a turn too. I live to celebrate moments like this - little social successes that maybe, just maybe will begin a friendship.

  8. Around this time their teacher came over and met Simon and chatted about Angry Birds for a few minutes before they moved out onto the actual exercise area. It was beyond awesome to see him continue to be excited as the three of them took off for class. They started on the big trampolines which seemed to me like the perfect place to begin (and something Simon has loved to do before at another local gym).

  9. Our goal with this class is exercise and strength building and if it can be fun, well, even better (and if he ends up making a friend that would be so awesome). He definitely got exercise and he was definitely having fun and if he keeps at it he will definitely develop some strength. The class was long enough (an hour) for it to mean something and long enough for him to get tired (which isn't hard when you aren't really that physically active in the first place). He was bright eyed, following directions, and he was trying. That willingness to try, in an of itself, is huge.


He ended the class the same way he began, with a very big smile - asking if we could go back tomorrow.


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123 thoughts

  1. Cathy Z. says…
    05/04/2012

    This made me a weepy mess today, Ali. Go Simon. Go your little family. xo.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Virginia Adkins says…
    05/04/2012

    That is so great, Ali! Thanks for sharing this with us. Those little successes mean SO MUCH!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Kim says…
    05/04/2012

    ahhh making me tear up! I can just hear the happiness and excitement in your voice! Way to go Simon! What a great time had by all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. jen says…
    05/04/2012

    My heart is so happy for you! Go Simon Go!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Sarah in the UK says…
    05/04/2012

    Wow this is brilliant!! So great to read & share in your joy & happiness despite not knowing you in real life, I feel close to your family after seeing you grow & change over the years.
    Can't wait to hear about next week! x

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Marya says…
    05/04/2012

    I just wanted to say that I really love the way that you tell Simon's story. Honestly, as someone who works with spectrum/ld/adhd kids, I really feel like you blog about these challenges in a way that stays true to the story, shares the experience, but also respects Simon and privacy, etc. So often I forget to see Simon as anything other than a little boy who you love and that is exactly how it should be. I really admire and respect how you represent your/his/your family's story in this regard. That's all... just wanted to say that it warms my heart to see you navigate this story so gracefully.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Kari says…
    05/04/2012

    Awesome! What a great post. Congrats to the whole family, and congrats to Simon for everything, but especially for eating his broccoli! That is something I don't know that I'll ever be able to accomplish as a parent.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Cindy says…
    05/04/2012

    Awesome. We need to find an class like this too. Hmmm...

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Lizzy says…
    05/04/2012

    That is awesome!! Congratulations to the both of you. I know how much this means to you.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Val B says…
    05/04/2012

    That is just so wonderful. You just want your kids to have a great life and to be happy. It sounds so fun I want to go! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Barb Mc says…
    05/04/2012

    Happy, happy, happy for you all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Sandie says…
    05/04/2012

    That experience was wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
    I could hear your heart speaking! God bless you all!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. H. says…
    05/04/2012

    This post gave me goosebumps. I absolutely love this story. I have two nephews on the spectrum and I can relate to every word you wrote.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Janet White says…
    05/04/2012

    Big Day of Awesome! Thanks for the smile.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Trina says…
    05/04/2012

    That is just so AWESOME, Ali!! What a great experience for both kids and a great way to get exercise and have fun at the same time! Way to go Simon! :-)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Allycat says…
    05/04/2012

    That is all just fabulous & fantastic & awesome! All at the same time! X

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. BARB T says…
    05/04/2012

    Happy tear welling up in my eyes. This is such wonderful news. He smiled and wants to go back. Super cool!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. marisa says…
    05/04/2012

    That is awesome! Our 11 year old son is in a social skills group with lots of motor activities..not Damian's biggest strength or interest ;) BUT he has learned to like basketball which has carried over into school where a few kids will throw with him. Not the best conversations I'm sure and maybe some quirkiness but hey he's moving his body and found something that typical kids like!

    Not all kids rock out to Van Halen and research JFK and the 3 Stooges hehe!

    I got goosebumps when I saw how happy he was and how happy you are. I know that feeling and it's the best.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Michele H. says…
    05/04/2012

    ali - i love this story and all of the little moments leading up to the class. i love it when coaches get it. and i love it when social situations open up to lead to a few friendships.

    this is my same hope for my 16 year old. she loves her tumbling class as well. the foam pit was a bit scary for her but now she loves it:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Cindy says…
    05/04/2012

    What an awesome story (memory). WAY TO GO SIMON!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Lesley Doran says…
    05/04/2012

    So happy for you all!! It's wonderful to read about such good news, we seem to get far to much negative on the tv lately. Your story made me smile today and I loved the way you described everything. Thanks Ali, way to go Simon and Anna!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kathleen Loughran says…
    05/04/2012

    What an awesome awesome (so awesome it needs to be repeated) experience. Go Simon and Anna Go!!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Jen Hart says…
    05/04/2012

    You wrote this so well, I totally got your emotions and the big things you got out of observing the small points. I am so happy for you :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. tania willis says…
    05/04/2012

    this is so many kinds of awesome, Ali! celebrating right along with you! GO, Simon, GO! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Wemdu says…
    05/04/2012

    I would say "Priceless."

    Reply 0 Replies

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