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I get by with a little help from my folks


Regular, inexpensive sports shoes. With memory foam, size 7. 

Nothing obviously unusual. And yet, it is. Do you see it?

Yes, there's Velcro. An answer to a situation that can get stressful.


Hi, I'm Michael 's mum. He used to be "Mikey" at home and in school. But he felt it's more fitting now to be "Michael" at school.

Mikey just recently learned how to tie his shoelaces. Something we learn at what... age 5? At 11, most of us can do it with our eyes closed. But being on the spectrum is a curious thing. As he said in yesterday's post, some things are easier but some things are harder.

How can he type with two hands and use the right fingers without taking any typing lessons and yet struggle with the fine motor skill of tying his laces? It's a mystery I'll leave for the professionals to explain.

He struggled a lot, got frustrated but with much effort and a lot of GRRR and AARGH THIS IS SO HAARRRD, he is now able to do it. 

But time stops for no one. He can't always be the "first one in, last one out." He has to change into PE uniform and sports shoes almost everyday. We need to help him and make it easy for him to change from school uniform to PE (and back) quickly. His dad put the Velcro on his shoes and his grandma had to sew Velcro into his school pants as well instead of him having to manage tight button holes and hooks. 

Still, there's a daily win. He wears a button-down school shirt with some 6 or 7 buttons he can deftly manage. Curiouser and curiouser. 

And the sweeter win of seeing a victorious smile on his tired face every time he successfully ties his laces. 

There are so many things we take for granted in life that are actually challenging for people with special needs. If there is anything we can do to help their daily living, let's do it. At the same time, there is no stopping us from training them patiently with the skills they need to live life with or without our help.

I know you enjoy hearing from Mikey so I'll get him to do the next post. Thanks!

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