Things Kids with Autism May Miss

What do they miss or forget?

“Mommy, I forgot.”

He can say this with a sheepish smile on his face. It’s true, and he’s sincerely sorry. We get this a lot.

When they struggle with some “easy” stuff?

My child still struggles to remember the difference between right and left.

Do typical kids his age also struggle with some “easy” stuff?

Are there things kids with autism may miss or can’t remember as well as typical kids?

The questions I sometimes ask

My son is twelve and I often ask him something that has to do with right or left.

Most of time, he has to pause and think about it.

At age twelve? Did I have that problem at age twelve?

Honestly, I don’t remember.

My son is not academically challenged. But, his mind is often “somewhere else.”

Where their mind goes

Their obsessions. Or, whatever topic going through their mind.

My son gets distracted. Or, he’s just not focused on the question.

My point it I do feel he forgets simple or easy things. “Where is my right again? Oh, wait, it’s not that one, it’s this one.”

Learned behavior

Remember, so much of our kids have learned behavior. Similarly, I believe my son’s mind is incredibly occupied (probably) 99% of the time.

With the issue of remembering right verses left, it’s not natural for him to quickly know the answer. Even at age twelve.

The three second rule

There’s a three second rule in autism.

For example, my son will generally take three seconds to respond to questions/commands, etc.  This rule applies to may individuals with autism. It’s a processing issue.

It can be physical, too

My son is not very athletically inclined. He’s entering middle school next week. He told me he wanted to be able to play on the high school baseball team.

I have an athletic background and I have to be gentle yet honest.

He cannot play baseball for a middle school team let alone a high school team. He is way behind the learning curve.

I said, “Well, baseball players at that age have worked for years at playing. It’s a lot of hard work. You’d have to start practicing a lot right now. We can work with you and you can go ahead and try.”

Now, in my head I’m thinking, “He struggles to catch a fly ball. He’s afraid of the ball.” Also, I’m thinking “Sometimes he throws ball right handed, and sometimes with his left.”

In the backyard

We had him in the backyard and asked him which was more comfortable, throwing with his right hand or left hand. He didn’t quite know the answer.

Is this a big deal?

I don’t think so. If anything, it’s a blip on his autistic radar. He has the enthusiasm, which is great. However, the athletic ability is lacking.

The bottom line

He’s probably not going to be a baseball player. For sports, we hope he gets into golf, swimming, tennis, weights. Probably not a team-related sport.

And, if he becomes a famous astrophysicist and he’s happy and well-grounded, who really cares if he has trouble remembering right or left.

Here is a very comprehensive definition of what autism is:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/autism/

More on Kimberly Kaplan:
To purchase “Two Years Autism Blogs Featured on ModernMom.com”
or “A Parentsʼ Guide to Early Autism Intervention” visit Amazon (print or digital) or Smashwords
Twitter: tipsautismmom
LinkedIn: Kimberly Kaplan
You can also find this autism blog on ModernMom.com