Trying new things with autistic kids.

One year while watching the TV show, Parenthood, I began thinking about my son.

Parenthood has a storyline of a child with Aspergers. The shows creator, Jason Katim, has a child with Aspergers. He put his own story into his show.

What about the show?

Overall, I think the show does a remarkable job with that storyline. They cover the diagnosis of autism, the emotional ups and downs of both child and parents and siblings, the daily life of a child on the spectrum. They mostly get it right.

However, being a parent of a child with autism, I felt that at times the storyline has some holes.

For example, for most of an entire show, the parents of the autistic child were stressing over whether they could take their child out on Halloween.

I just kept talking to the TV, saying, “Just try it!”

Sometimes you just try something with your child.

Trying new things with autistic kids.

Okay, your child has never tried something. But, are you convinced that he or she can’t handle whatever it is?

Or, is it worth, at least, trying?

I have always tried things with my child.

How do you know if he or she CAN’T do something unless you try?

Vacations, family outings, social activities, and even a walk in the neighborhood at night in a costume (the yearly event that we call Halloween). Try it.

The storyline in Parenthood had the viewers believing that the fictional parents didn’t have to try a new thing because they KNEW it was going to go badly. The young character with Aspergers was afraid of candles. So, therefore, they decided that they are apparently so many candles out there on Halloween that their child could NEVER go out on Halloween.

All because of candles?

What about the Halloween storyline?

The good news is the storyline did progress into a reasonable solution, albeit a little TV-over-the-top. The parents went out into the neighborhood and “prepared” the neighbors and the houses. They even asked neighbors to not burn candles, and provided replacement options, free of charge.

Plus, they “practiced” trick or treating with the child.

They prepped their child and the neighborhood. And, then they tried it.

Don’t be afraid to try. And, yes, you may have to prepare more than other families. But, I promise you, it’ll be worth it!

For Halloween preparedness, check out this link:

http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/news/halloween-children-autism-210012342