Anyone have a special needs child? Maynard and the Rain Man

[TPC]

Ya ever get to take just one of your kids out to dinner, lunch or breakfast? Just the two of you?
Lately Maynard has been more available to go out.

The college-age girls servers at a breakfast/sports bar we go to like having him around in the morning compared to us old duck hunting/truck/firearms talk retired guys. We all sit at the bar to drink and eat.

The servers all bartend and serve food so they are just feet away. They unbutton their tops and reveal their lace bra boobs right in his face. Not unusual if his mom isn't along. It's the world Maynard lives in. Girls always buzz him. He got it all.

Something been bothering him and I figured it was his work.
They pretty quick realized his potential and he's in charge of other engineers.
He's mentioned he's had to catch and correct mistakes made by those.

Nope, happy on the job and the system set up and is working as designed. So moving forward.

When I married I took on a special needs kid, Maynards brother from a different marriage. Maynard got it all, his brother got nothing and looks like Napoleon Dynamite, a savant with severe OCD and a lot of other special mental conditions.

One on one breakfast I learned it distresses Maynard to see his brothers condition deteriorate. It's really getting to him.
We did put his brother in a home with an atmosphere to help and teach, but his brother got kicked out. He's that stubborn and more than a handful.

Savant, an amazing guitar player. Now he keeps to himself and plays his guitars. We have him in the house for life.

Anyone else have a special needs kid in the house?

 

[coolchange]

He’s an engineer, he wants to fix things.

 

[whiteworks]

I Have several friends who have special needs children with various levels of care and supervision needed. It’s big job that’s 24 hours a day for life, I have much respect for those parents and the amazing jobs they do with a smile on their face, much stronger and better people than myself. I guess you don’t know what you’re capable of until presented with a situation. Best wishes for all who are dealing with these types of things.

 

[poncho]

Ya ever get to take just one of your kids out to dinner, lunch or breakfast? Just the two of you?
Lately Maynard has been more available to go out.

The college-age girls servers at a breakfast/sports bar we go to like having him around in the morning compared to us old duck hunting/truck/firearms talk retired guys. We all sit at the bar to drink and eat.

The servers all bartend and serve food so they are just feet away. They unbutton their tops and reveal their lace bra boobs right in his face. Not unusual if his mom isn't along. It's the world Maynard lives in. Girls always buzz him. He got it all.

Something been bothering him and I figured it was his work.
They pretty quick realized his potential and he's in charge of other engineers.
He's mentioned he's had to catch and correct mistakes made by those.

Nope, happy on the job and the system set up and is working as designed. So moving forward.

When I married I took on a special needs kid, Maynards brother from a different marriage. Maynard got it all, his brother got nothing and looks like Napoleon Dynamite, a savant with severe OCD and a lot of other special mental conditions.

One on one breakfast I learned it distresses Maynard to see his brothers condition deteriorate. It's really getting to him.
We did put his brother in a home with an atmosphere to help and teach, but his brother got kicked out. He's that stubborn and more than a handful.

Savant, an amazing guitar player. Now he keeps to himself and plays his guitars. We have him in the house for life.

Anyone else have a special needs kid in the house?

Aiden is 16 now, we got custody when he was 6, Grandparents have primary custody I have secondary. Drug addict Mom who left him locked in a bedroom for days at a time. Didn't really show interest in talking or communicating till late in his 7th year.
Has been in special ed his whole life, so far behind other kids and definitely an introvert. Busting my ass to show him he is no different than other kids, I make him go boating and other activities and its slowly working, Grandmas house is his safe space.
Teachers are saying that he is starting to blossom and has started helping other kids.
Not sure what the future holds, still can't imagine him living alone with a job etc. but we will see.
Not matter what he will be taken care of.

 

[Gelcoater]

Ya ever get to take just one of your kids out to dinner, lunch or breakfast? Just the two of you?
Lately Maynard has been more available to go out.

The college-age girls servers at a breakfast/sports bar we go to like having him around in the morning compared to us old duck hunting/truck/firearms talk retired guys. We all sit at the bar to drink and eat.

The servers all bartend and serve food so they are just feet away. They unbutton their tops and reveal their lace bra boobs right in his face. Not unusual if his mom isn't along. It's the world Maynard lives in. Girls always buzz him. He got it all.

Something been bothering him and I figured it was his work.
They pretty quick realized his potential and he's in charge of other engineers.
He's mentioned he's had to catch and correct mistakes made by those.

Nope, happy on the job and the system set up and is working as designed. So moving forward.

When I married I took on a special needs kid, Maynards brother from a different marriage. Maynard got it all, his brother got nothing and looks like Napoleon Dynamite, a savant with severe OCD and a lot of other special mental conditions.

One on one breakfast I learned it distresses Maynard to see his brothers condition deteriorate. It's really getting to him.
We did put his brother in a home with an atmosphere to help and teach, but his brother got kicked out. He's that stubborn and more than a handful.

Savant, an amazing guitar player. Now he keeps to himself and plays his guitars. We have him in the house for life.

Anyone else have a special needs kid in the house?

Lots of inmates here with kids/adult kids with special needs.
We have one in the house for life.
Now, I’d imagine dealing with a high function savant type would present some challenges I couldn’t even fathom.

Mine is 27, born with DS, fairly low functioning.
She can do simple math 3 digit stuff with medium accuracy.
Can write bit is sometimes hard to decipher.
Speech impared.

She really liked Endobears Commando
Don’t know where she got that kind of taste

 

[HBCraig]

Aiden is 16 now, we got custody when he was 6, Grandparents have primary custody I have secondary. Drug addict Mom who left him locked in a bedroom for days at a time. Didn't really show interest in talking or communicating till late in his 7th year.
Has been in special ed his whole life, so far behind other kids and definitely an introvert. Busting my ass to show him he is no different than other kids, I make him go boating and other activities and its slowly working, Grandmas house is his safe space.
Teachers are saying that he is starting to blossom and has started helping other kids.
Not sure what the future holds, still can't imagine him living alone with a job etc. but we will see.
Not matter what he will be taken care of.
View attachment 1286807

The smile.....

 

[HNL2LHC]

Maynard is a great young man to be concerned with his brother. When our son was in his youth group there were a few special needs kids. They didn’t fit in so much so they gravitated to me as an involved parent. Let me just say that they were such a bright spot in my experience. My heart goes out to the parents as they are on 24/7.

If I were in the situation with a son like Maynard I‘d tell that is not his burden at this time. Maybe include him in your plan of action if something would happen to you or your wife. Kind of like the leave money thread. That might provide him with a bit of comfort as he being such an intelligent young man similar to our son who told me in the last year that his brain is working 24/7. He has a bit of ODC and I try to tell him that the burden of his mother he carries is mine unless something happens to me. Then he can plug in but only if he wants to. Mom is set either way and if not we have backup plans out there.

Best of luck to you and the family.

 

[ChumpChange]

I do not. Volunteering in the special needs classes has become a passion for my 16yr old daughter though. Wakes up early to make it to church for the early service every Sunday as a volunteer. Ever since she did VBS teaching for the group she has made it a goal to volunteer for those with special needs.

 

[Bullet28]

My mom’s brother, my Uncle David passed in March of 05 at 73. He was special needs and my understanding is that when he was very young he got Scarlett fever and it left him with the mind of approximately a 5 year old. He couldn’t read or write but could play the guitar and sing his Elvis songs. He could help my grandfather paint and make his sandwiches and he loved his Pepsi. After my grandparents passed there was never a question who would take care of my Uncle and my dad never flinched helping my mom. Also when I was young probably 10, I’m 67 now me and my Uncle would go to the market with my grandfather I would stay in the old wagon and these kids would make fun of him. After about the third time I got out and took care of business never happened again. So as much as I can understand, for those that have a special needs child my thoughts and prayers are with you. My grandsons have been taught to be kind to someone’s situation.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Our Grandson Bennett (13) was born while My Son and his wife lived with us (for a few years), Rhonda and I noticed early on he was "different" and as he got older , didnt seem to be "progressing". At about 4 He was officially diagnosed as Spectrum Autistic . He is high functioning and was "mainstreamed" long ago . He's a huge Kid (almost 6 foot) and yet loving , gentle and he has a great sense of humor . He spend part of his weekends with us where he has commandeered my mancave . His 3 Rs are improving and unless one knows most would not know He's "different" . He has a memory like a "hard drive" and absorbs information like a sponge , If I introduce you to him today and told him your birthdate He'll remember it a year from now .... Early recognition and nurturing are key to development

 

[77charger]

Our Grandson Bennett (13) was born while My Son and his wife lived with us (for a few years), Rhonda and I noticed early on he was "different" and as he got older , didnt seem to be "progressing". At about 4 He was officially diagnosed as Spectrum Autistic . He is high functioning and was "mainstreamed" long ago . He's a huge Kid (almost 6 foot) and yet loving , gentle and he has a great sense of humor . He spend part of his weekends with us where he has commandeered my mancave . His 3 Rs are improving and unless one knows most would not know He's "different" . He has a memory like a "hard drive" and absorbs information like a sponge , If I introduce you to him today and told him your birthdate He'll remember it a year from now .... Early recognition and nurturing are key to development

My son is high function autism too.like you said their memory is like a hard drive he is very smart can remember everything.he was into nascar as a kid and if you mentioned any track on the sch and asked how long it was he’ll tell you it’s a 1.55 mile or 2.66 mile etc.

He’s been working delivering pizza for dominos and loves his job he gets focused on things. Last night he just bought his first car and was the type who read the fine print and question numbers lol.

As a kid he was a handful luckily my wife was really good at working with him and seeing a therapist it really helped him.

 

[HocusPocus]

My Grandson will be 6 in a couple weeks and was born with DS, he has brought so much love or family. We take him to Havasu often and his eyes light up when he helps me pull the boat out of the garage and get it ready. He is a big brother now to his 2 sisters and goes to school which he likes a lot. He had to have open heart surgery at 6 months old but he bounced back really quick and continues to to do great. Full of mischief, comedy and a big heart.

 

[jetboatperformance]

My son is high function autism too.like you said their memory is like a hard drive he is very smart can remember everything.he was into nascar as a kid and if you mentioned any track on the sch and asked how long it was he’ll tell you it’s a 1.55 mile or 2.66 mile etc.

He’s been working delivering pizza for dominos and loves his job he gets focused on things. Last night he just bought his first car and was the type who read the fine print and question numbers lol.

As a kid he was a handful luckily my wife was really good at working with him and seeing a therapist it really helped him.

Bennett could be that "handful" too but it was his emotional Reponses to frustration or embarrassment or my Son says "Stimming" However as He ages He has better learned self control to some degree ................. Gifts and packages no matter who they are for get opened by him and him alone

 

[TBulger]

We all seem to love them more.

 

[Outdrive1]

You guys are saints. I don’t know if I would have the patience.

I swear one of my dogs is special needs, she drives me nuts.

 

[jetboatperformance]

We all seem to love them more.

Interesting you say that My Son (and best guy friend) says of Bennett that in many ways He is easier than his two teen daughters , less social drama , easy to please and very loving and simpler by comparison

 

[monkeyswrench]

Regardless of one's thoughts, a dog is not a child. In general, I don't think anyone knows what they are capable of until they called upon to act. Some people are just naturals, and you can see them having the ability. Some are not what you'd nearly expect, but arise to become what is needed to help another human in life.

 

[bilz]

My son is a Special Ed teacher. He teaches in a transitions program for 18 to 22 year olds. Every day we hear a heart breaking as well as a heartwarming story. I don't know know how he does it. I'm chopping onions just reading all of the above and typing this.

 

[poncho]

Regardless of one's thoughts, a dog is not a child. In general, I don't think anyone knows what they are capable of until they called upon to act. Some people are just naturals, and you can see them having the ability. Some are not what you'd nearly expect, but arise to become what is needed to help another human in life.

Our own @Shlbyntro is a perfect example of not knowing what your capable of, although she's not special needs as far I know a young single man taking on a diaper filler makes him a hero to me.
I've been in their home, that child wants for nothing.

 

[SBMech]

Lots of onions being chopped up in here!

My second oldest niece is a medium functioning Autistic, I lived with my sister until she was 4, helping to raise both my neices.

Chrissy was undiagnosed until 3, and even then they had problems identifying what was wrong. She's incredibly smart, yet refuses or is unable to communicate/interact properly with others. There is no such thing as a rule or law to her, she does what she wants unless you are physically able to stop her....having been part of their lives until my sister and BIL divorced you get to see the amount of determination and sheer will power it takes to keep a family together with a special needs member.

Nothing but the most heartfelt respect to everyone who has a member of their family who is special needs, much less you amazing people who have opened your hearts to adopt a child in need. You people make me feel selfish and shallow.

When she turned 18 she was 5'8" and 180 lbs of mostly muscle, my bother-in-law has full custody (long sad story) and she's a ward of the state with him as her custodian from what I understand so they can have a social worker there to help out most days of the week.

She is without a doubt the most loving person I have the pleasure of knowing, if it's ever needed, she's going with me.

 

[FCT]

Awesome to read all the stories on here. This board is full of good people. Both of my boys are on the spectrum for autism. My oldest son is very high functioning and most don’t know that he has the struggles that he does because most don’t see it. My youngest son is on the lower end of the spectrum but still speaks great. Both are amazing little boys and I would never change it for anything in the world. I always tell them they were given a gift and it’s not a disability. Because I truly believe that. I’m lucky that my wife is able to be a stay at home mom to help our boys on a daily basis. They go to our church for preschool and kindergarten right now and then we will homeschool them on our farm that we are in the middle of creating. life is great!

 

[havasujeeper]

God bless all of you who have gone the extra mile to make someone a little better and alot happier.

 

[Backlash]

This thread is proof that angels do in fact exist. Unbelievable.

 

[beertruck]

I have two special needs boys age 28, and 22. My oldest Nick, is non verbal, tube fed, and developmentally delayed. He has had multiple open heart surgeries, and a shunt. Nick loves chaos, load noises and crowds, while his younger brother Jacob, who is higher functioning, and without his brother's medical conditions does not do well in public, and crowds. It makes it very difficult to do things with both boys at the same time.
Both boys are small for their age, which works well for transitioning Nick, and Jacob looks closer to his developmental age. Jacob's favorite thing to do is read, sometimes making up his own stories while reading a book.
Nick loves going out to our local bar on Sundays to hang with me and his uncle, while Jacob would rather stay home with mom.
When things get tough all the boys have to do is give me a smile, and everything is better.

 

[poncho]

There are some good people on this board.

 

[Gelcoater]

He has had multiple open heart surgeries, and a shunt

There is The hardest part of this deal.
My daughter had 3 heart surgeries before her 12th birthday.
1 at CHOC and 2 in Loma Linda.

Her first at CHOC was at 4 months old.
To this day she has a couple pieces of neoprene in her heart acting as walls between the 4 quadrants from that.
Yeah, wet suit material.
And it is holding up well and needs no further actions.
The 2 at Loma Linda we’re to fix an infarction, they basically sliced a slit long ways through the main artery that feeds her lower extremity and opened it up to normal diameter. And again, neoprene as a patch.

Is about the most helpless feeling a parent can have. Handing the child off to go through that, as well as not being able to do anything besides be there for them bedside as it heals.

 

[pronstar]

My oldest is 2.5 years old and is on the spectrum. We’re taking advantage of programs to help him develop, but it’s too early to get an exact diagnosis.

We can definitely see the difference compared to his 11 month old little brother.

We’re very fortunate to have resources, just determining what’s best for him.

We also have an au pair who is amazing. Her dad is a doctor, her BF is a doctor, and she’s a licensed child therapist in Mexico - she even sees patients via Zoom. And she also has an autistic brother. She works with our oldest every single day, and having her living with us is a true blessing.

 

[Boozer]

I consider myself pretty lucky. My youngest has severe ADHD, without medication he is an absolute nightmare. We had an issue not to long ago, he ran away from school and ran out into traffic, a teacher ran out after him and got hit by a car in the process.

I do volunteer work for a local charity. The charity supports homeless youth and young adults. Their primary focus is providing housing for young adults with developmental disabilities.

It’s a major problem that nobody talks about often. These kids come from broken homes and end up in foster care. When they turn 18, their foster families stop receiving financial support for them and put them out on the street. Most of them can hold very simple jobs, fast food, grocery store clerk and etc. but are not capable of holding any type of real career. We secure low income housing for them and set them up with a place to live, otherwise they’re stuck living in tent cities or homeless shelters.

 

[pronstar]

This post reinforces the notion that this is a special website with lots of amazing members.

 

[Mr. C]

You guys are saints. I don’t know if I would have the patience.

I agree 100%. I’ve thought this as well. But don’t sell yourself short. We’d do it and do it to the best of our capabilities. It’s how we are.
Maybe not as good as others. Maybe better than some. But I don’t see you or me not stepping up

And yes the people who take of special needs kids ( people of all ages ) are saints in my book.

 

[fastenuff3]

Ya ever get to take just one of your kids out to dinner, lunch or breakfast? Just the two of you?
Lately Maynard has been more available to go out.

The college-age girls servers at a breakfast/sports bar we go to like having him around in the morning compared to us old duck hunting/truck/firearms talk retired guys. We all sit at the bar to drink and eat.

The servers all bartend and serve food so they are just feet away. They unbutton their tops and reveal their lace bra boobs right in his face. Not unusual if his mom isn't along. It's the world Maynard lives in. Girls always buzz him. He got it all.

Something been bothering him and I figured it was his work.
They pretty quick realized his potential and he's in charge of other engineers.
He's mentioned he's had to catch and correct mistakes made by those.

Nope, happy on the job and the system set up and is working as designed. So moving forward.

When I married I took on a special needs kid, Maynards brother from a different marriage. Maynard got it all, his brother got nothing and looks like Napoleon Dynamite, a savant with severe OCD and a lot of other special mental conditions.

One on one breakfast I learned it distresses Maynard to see his brothers condition deteriorate. It's really getting to him.
We did put his brother in a home with an atmosphere to help and teach, but his brother got kicked out. He's that stubborn and more than a handful.

Savant, an amazing guitar player. Now he keeps to himself and plays his guitars. We have him in the house for life.

Anyone else have a special needs kid in the house?

I have twin boys with cp.There older brother is a special needs high school teacher.The twins are invovled in special Olympics and love it.They both work, one at the local grocery store and the other at Dollar General.

 

[Mandelon]

Bless you all!

 

[RVRKID]

I have twin boys with cp.There older brother is a special needs high school teacher.The twins are invovled in special Olympics and love it.They both work, one at the local grocery store and the other at Dollar General.

I too have a son with CP, compared to some of the posts above he is real mild. I will say it sucks he doesn't ride a 2 wheel bike so at some point I may have to get him the battery Trike. It is mostly in his left leg and a little in his left hand, he has had a major surgery to correct it as good as it could and he was a stud thru it all. He does ride his quad and we got him playing golf now. When he was younger he played soccer and baseball at a local church which he loved. He also knows WAY more about sports players then I do so need to figure out how to use that knowledge to make money down the road.
My other son as many know passed away from Cystic Fibrosis in 2012 just before his 21st Birthday, he was in the hospital a lot of the time I knew him(long story). We will be at Newport Dunes in a week and a half to support CF at their Beach, Brews & BBQ fundraiser they do every year.
A few pics from last Sat and he loves getting “crushed” by the waves I told him he’s a bit off!

 

[musicFunsun]

Yes, some really great people here. But I’m not surprised!

 

[farmo83]

My wife and I found out yesterday well have a special needs daughter. I can't tell everyone how much hope this thread has given me as it's been a very dark few days.

 

[callbob]

Amazing stories from some Damn amazing people.

 

[JL95]

Some morning tears and perspective from this thread that's for sure. I applaud you all that have made the most of your children's lives.

 

[attitude]

It is difficult enough to fulfill a child’s standard needs, those of you who raise a child or children with special needs are saints.

My neighbor across the street has a 7 year old with special needs. He tends to say stuff without a “filter” which I don’t mind, he just has the balls to say what everyone else is already thinking. One day I get home from work and him and his brothers were out playing and the dad was watching them, I hadn’t met the dad yet so I walk over and introduce myself. His son starts asking me questions about my truck, he then asks how much I paid for it. His poor dad’s eyes got wide as saucers, this must have been taboo for a very conservative Mormon family lol.

 

[rivrrts429]

My wife and I found out yesterday well have a special needs daughter. I can't tell everyone how much hope this thread has given me as it's been a very dark few days.

I promise you’ll be okay and the life you have moving forward will be rewarding, just different at times.

I don’t know what your child’s diagnosis is but I know intimately what emotional rollercoaster you and your wife are experiencing. I lived it 22 years ago.

Ultimately I realized the good lord chose our family to raise our son for a reason and it has been more exciting than I could ever imagine. Don’t get me wrong, it can be exhausting but, he’s taught me more about life than I could ever imagine.

Now is the time to partner and reassure your wife like you’ve never done before.

If you ever want to discuss or have questions I’m available anytime.

Richard

 

[Toolman]

I too have a son with CP, compared to some of the posts above he is real mild. I will say it sucks he doesn't ride a 2 wheel bike so at some point I may have to get him the battery Trike. It is mostly in his left leg and a little in his left hand, he has had a major surgery to correct it as good as it could and he was a stud thru it all. He does ride his quad and we got him playing golf now. When he was younger he played soccer and baseball at a local church which he loved. He also knows WAY more about sports players then I do so need to figure out how to use that knowledge to make money down the road.
My other son as many know passed away from Cystic Fibrosis in 2012 just before his 21st Birthday, he was in the hospital a lot of the time I knew him(long story). We will be at Newport Dunes in a week and a half to support CF at their Beach, Brews & BBQ fundraiser they do every year.
A few pics from last Sat and he loves getting “crushed” by the waves I told him he’s a bit off!
View attachment 1287602 View attachment 1287603
View attachment 1287604

I too have a daughter 31 years old with cerebral palsy. Her mother my wife did not survive the birth. Life moves on years later she now works for a large department store and is very supported by her fellow employees and management. but it still gets to me when she comes home and tells me her experiences with pieces of shit customers that are dumber than a box of rocks. The rude things people can say to a special-needs person just amazes me. Oh, and my daughter also has a trike.

 

[rivrrts429]

I too have a daughter 31 years old with cerebral palsy. Her mother my wife did not survive the birth. Life moves on years later she now works for a large department store and is very supported by her fellow employees and management. but it still gets to me when she comes home and tells me her experiences with pieces of shit customers that are dumber than a box of rocks. The rude things people can say to a special-needs person just amazes me.

I once had an old man following my son and I around in a department store. Not creepy following but just always nearby and staring.

Finally he says to me, “why does he look so funny” while pointing at my son (Down Syndrome). He was old and I chalked it up to being senile.

People are kooks.

The best interactions were with little kids experiencing a special needs peer for the first time. Kids don’t have a filter and they don’t care either once you explain the situation. Lots of laughs when approached by the toddlers lol

 

[RVRKID]

I too have a daughter 31 years old with cerebral palsy. Her mother my wife did not survive the birth. Life moves on years later she now works for a large department store and is very supported by her fellow employees and management. but it still gets to me when she comes home and tells me her experiences with pieces of shit customers that are dumber than a box of rocks. The rude things people can say to a special-needs person just amazes me.

Sorry to hear about your wife that's horrible. So far Seth has made great friends at school and they have been friends since 1st or 2nd grade, I am a little worried about next year as he will be a freshman but I think he will hold his own and has the best attitude I have ever seen in kid let alone one with a disability. We got to golf with family last Friday and he got his first birdie and was super excited.

 

[FCT]

I once had an old man following my son and I around in a department store. Not creepy following but just always nearby and staring.

Finally he says to me, “why does he look so funny” while pointing at my son (Down Syndrome). He was old and I chalked it up to being senile.

People are kooks.

The best interactions were with little kids experiencing a special needs peer for the first time. Kids don’t have a filter and they don’t care either once you explain the situation. Lots of laughs when approached by the toddlers lol

That’s no joke about the little kids. My oldest boy is seven and he is not rude whatsoever because he is one of the kindest kids I think I have ever met but when we have seen some special needs adults or kids places he is not rude, but he has 5 million questions and stares because he is legitimately curious and wants to know about it. On top of that being on the high end of the spectrum he lacks certain emotions so he doesn’t understand why staring is rude and trying to explain that to a little kid is like going in circles over and over again

 

[RVRKID]

My wife and I found out yesterday well have a special needs daughter. I can't tell everyone how much hope this thread has given me as it's been a very dark few days.

My son was born early and spent almost 3 months in the NICU(while my other son was in CHOLA), and I do know about the dark days. The darkest was when the Doctor came in and told us that he had a brain injury and then went down the road of worst case scenarios. One of the biggest one to me that I remember was he may never walk, well thank God he beat that and more and that it is a lot more mild then they ever told us. One nurse that was around during this I named the Black Cloud because she was never positive with his diagnosis, so when we got invited back to the Halloween parties at the NICU I made sure we went to her to say Hi and let her see Seth was walking on his own and in great spirits. Sorry for the rambling but like @rivrrts429 you guys will be good there is a reason you were chosen for this.

 

[jetboatperformance]

The very best thing for Grandson Bennett was to "realize" something wasnt right then meet that problem head on , We were all concerned when They mainstreamed him but so far so good Hes a very intelligent affectionate Kid and very seldom gets picked on but at 14 Hes Huge at 6 ft and 170 ish . People can be cruel especially Kids . All these special needs kids deserve all the love attention and nurturing we can provide

 

[dribble]

My stepson, age 41 is learning disabled. He drives but he cannot read nor comprehend beyond an early elementary school level. He cannot do arithmetic. He's never had a steady job. He mostly works for a plumber who wanted to give him his 50 year old plumbing business. Truck, materials, tools, everything. His mom is 59 and I am 68. I don't have enough youth to learn that business and he could never run it on his own. He is a great bowler and his average is in the low 200's. He has two 300 games. He relies heavily on his mother. I finally convinced her to put him on disability and we are going through that process now. With that he will qualify for job training and other benefits. My goal is to have him be as independent as possible within the next three years. His sister is a former fitness model and is an internet personality with over a million followers on Tik Tok and 500,000 on Instagram. He got the fucked up teeth and the speech impediment.

 

[scottchbrite]

I have a nephew who has DS and is fairly high functioning. He’s my homeboy. I haven’t seen him since July 4th because he’s away at school. He was accepted into Fresno States Wayfinders program and he’s in his senior year. It’s been difficult having him gone but it’s been a great learning experience for him. The hard part will be on my sister in law when he graduates and if he’ll move back home. He’s told me he really doesn’t want to move back home.
Reminds me I need to call him, thanks for this thread.

 

[coolchange]

I saw my DS nephew last weekend after not seeing him for a while. Funny to see him with grey in his hair. He’s the unofficial Mayor of Moorpark and still the coolest cat I know.

 

[rivrrts429]

That’s no joke about the little kids. My oldest boy is seven and he is not rude whatsoever because he is one of the kindest kids I think I have ever met but when we have seen some special needs adults or kids places he is not rude, but he has 5 million questions and stares because he is legitimately curious and wants to know about it. On top of that being on the high end of the spectrum he lacks certain emotions so he doesn’t understand why staring is rude and trying to explain that to a little kid is like going in circles over and over again

The little ones are the best interactions. I laugh so hard at their questions and interest. Then, once you explain it it’s like they have no care in the world they just want a new friend. They’re awesome lol

 

[rivermobster]

This thread is making me...

Emotional.

And that's tough to admit for a solid gold ashole like me.

But I do want to pass something along...

Boy Scout's is VERY accepting of special needs kids. I think we had two in our troop while my son was there? They were both Fully accepted and included in pretty much everything.

Boy Scouts has a solid rule, that when you turn 18, you are out.

That rule does NOT apply to special needs kids! They can stay in as long as they want.

It's a great place to learn new things and experience being a part of something bigger than ones self. And this applies to you parents out there as well.