Sports is not exclusive to the typical members of the population. There are sports events that celebrate the talents of the differently abled. Although sports demand physical, emotional and mental strength, talented differently abled individuals have proved they can play and win; lose in a game and still manage to stand with the head up high.
Engaging into a sport for a person challenged with autism may not be that easy. Considering the fact these persons may have behavioral and sensory issues; some lack the ability to speak or easily comprehend spoken language, learning to participate in a sports activity may be quite toilsome. Those thoughts occurred in my mind when I read a notice from my son's school about a Softball Clinic. I was hesitant in the beginning but eventually decided to let my son join and have the experience of playing softball.
Softball is played in a large, open field and requires the skill of throwing and catching a ball, batting and running . Learning the basics of the game may be arduous to someone with poor waiting skill and impulse control; with poor eye and hand coordination; and speech and language impairment. It is more challenging for those with difficulty in controlling sensory input. Like for instance being overwhelmed when given a series of instructions on what to do; affected by loud or unusual sound; poor sense of balance and perception of space making them move clumsily bumping into persons and objects or refuse to move fast (like running); uncomfortable in either crowded or wide open places. Despite all these unwanted things that go with autism,I witnessed how my son and the other kids struggled, overcame and rose above the challenge.
The school's Softball Clinic was a two-day affair and aimed to teach kids the basics of the game. The first day was a tough one since what is required to be able to play the game were laid to them. The kids took turns in batting, throwing and catching the ball. Some kids got impatient and roamed around the field. Others would refuse to do the required task. Still some would cry and throw a fit. However, the coaches and teachers managed to pull it off and made that day productive.
The second and last day was surprising and filled with amazing revelations. Some kids showed how hard they can hit the ball and how fast they can run. Everyone showed what they gained in that two-day event. A kid at the sound of the whistle would scrunch his face and cover his ears in manifestation of discomfort on hearing that sound. But after a while, he held the bat firmly and hit the ball. Another kid who seemed to have difficulty in eliciting fast movement never gave up and managed to get back to base. The peculiarities of how the disorder affects them was apparent. But the courage and the heart to show what they attained was inspiring. That was a truly awesome reward for their teachers and coaches.
Sports activities such as this proved to be very helpful in nurturing special needs children. Engaging in sports can help them improve concentration and problem-solving skills; it can be a worthwhile outlet for kids with hyperactivity and would encourage movement to hypoactive ones. It is also a good way to learn social interaction.The Softball Clinic ended. Everyone was grateful for the experience. The sponsor of this event was generous and too kind to have held an event like this for the children. More than the nice softball jersey that they gave as a keepsake, they left in the hearts of these children the confidence that they can be the best of what they can be.
Image Credits:
"Grass Baseball" by Idea go
"Boy Walking in Prairie" by chrisroll
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