We were eating at a fast food restaurant when an ad on the wall caught my son's attention. The ad was aimed to recruit children for the summer kiddie crew workshop. The ad showed happy faces of children convincing enough and made my son wanting to join.
I was a little worried he might not be accepted to join in typical summer programs. But I still tried to inquire about it. The restaurant manager enthusiastically stated all the requirements for joining. But I just had one question to ask her, "Do you accept children with special needs?" The manager paused and then replied " Yes, we do. It's the restaurant's policy to accept every child who wishes to be a kiddie crew." I told the manager a little something about my son. She reaffirmed that my son's condition won't be a problem although they have not experienced having someone like him in the previous years they have been doing the workshop. Upon hearing that, I had my son registered.
A few days before he started as a restaurant kiddie crew, I had a lot of "what ifs" and worried thoughts. What if he could not understand what he would be asked to do? What if he becomes hyperactive, runs around and break something? What if he could not get along with other kiddie crews?
My boy is already 8 years old, able to write his name, a sight reader, with tendency to be echolalic sometimes and gets confused with multiple instructions but with very good work behavior. I was worried to let him be in a place where people may not have a single idea of what Autism is and how people with Autism are. This would be the first time my son would be participating in an activity where the people he would be working with were not trained to deal with children with special needs.
My son's most awaited day came. He was excited to be in his kiddie crew uniform. The first day began with a short parent and kiddie crew orientation. The kids were asked to introduce themselves. My son has speech and language delay but he managed to state his full name and age clearly as he stood up in front of everyone without a trace of jitteriness. 
It was a three hours a day, five day activity workshop wherein the kids were exposed to work in a fast food restaurant - doing some light kitchen work like preparing spaghetti and hamburger, getting customers' orders at the counter , of course under the guidance and supervision of the employees. Aside from working in the restaurant, kids were also given fun activities like painting, singing and dancing. My son enjoyed each day spent at the workshop. The employees were all nice and patient with the kids bustling around with them. Petty incidences did happen involving my son and other kids, too like sampling how crunchy the fried chicken was, sipping sodas, licking sundae cones and other antics kids may possibly do. The restaurant has a very good policy in this kiddie crew workshop. They have rules and guidelines but do not prevent kids from being kids. The kids were working while immensely having fun.
The workshop ended with a graduation ceremony wherein the participants, my son included, were given certificates. They sang the kiddie crew theme which some of the lines struck me.
As we gather here today
We make a pledge to serve others
To be the best
Let nothing bring us down
Always say " we can"
Let the whole world know
We're gonna make things happen.
Eventually, my son made me realize there was nothing to worry about after all. My son discovered and learned new things, gained new friends. Being his mother, this experience reminded me that the day will come my boy will be on his own to discover what else life has in store for him. For the meantime, I will continue to guide and help him to be the best to the fullest of his potentials. So when that day comes, he is ready.
Every summer, many activities or programs are being offered for children. From swimming lessons, basketball and other sports clinic, art and painting classes, talent workshops to livelihood training and many more. All are apt to keep children engaged in activities that would contribute to their being while out of school for the summer break. Summer is over (in the Philippines) and school will soon open. But some of these activities or programs are still open for those who want to pursue. Swimming and other sports classes, dance and voice lessons, lessons on learning to play musical instruments are some programs that are offered the whole year round.
Children under the spectrum can likewise benefit from these activities. It can develop whatever talents they may have. It helps in establishing their sense of self worth and confidence and likewise improve socialization skills.
In choosing which program or activity you may want your child to get into, consider the following:
- Your child's interests . The activity should be something that your child wants to make it enjoyable for him.
- The length of time spent in each session. Most children under the spectrum have a short attention span.
- Number of participants if the session is held in groups. The lesser the number of participants, the more beneficial it would be. Some children with Autism gets easily distracted and bothered which may happen if they are amidst a number of other people. On the instructor's part, it is easier to handle a group with a small number of participants and may allow extra attention rendered to those who may need it.
- Let the instructor or trainer know your child's condition, his strengths, limitations and weaknesses.
Children under the spectrum are born with talents. Its up to the people around them to discover it. Exposing them to various activities may lead not only to discovery of hidden talents but also livelihood skills with which they can be trained further to make it a means of living in the future. After all, the reason behind all these measures we give is for them to have a better chance to a fuller life.
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