Teaching Jeremiah, A Journey into the Mind of an Asperger's Child
Feb. 17, 2009
T-Ball & Temper Tantrums
Okay, it's not that bad, really! We had decided not to tell the coaches and helpers of Jerry's t-ball team that he had Asperger's. We didn't want them to treat him any differently and thought that maybe we wouldn't have to say anything since he's been doing so well lately. After a meltdown on the field during practice last week over him wanting Indiana Jones Legos, where he folded up on the field into a fetal position and cried, we changed our minds! I assured the coach that brattiness was not Jeremiah's only problem!
His first game was on Saturday. First, were the opening ceremonies at 8:30. They lasted an hour and he did very well standing on the field with all the rest of the Little League teams during introductions, thank you's, and pledges. We left the fields then since his game didn't actually start until 1:15 p.m. Did I say "1:15"? Oh, I'm sorry...that's what time his game was SUPPOSED to start...and what time we were there ready with him. Unfortunately, the coach of the team before Jeremiah's didn't get the memo about 3 innings or an hour, whichever comes first and their game went until 2:00!
Needless to say, Jerry was finished before his game actually ever began! He's never been real patient or good at waiting for things he knows are coming and that he's excited about. It's why we never tell him about playdates or fun plans until right before they are to happen.
He did manage to pull himself together and did play his whole 3 innings...though not always happily. He threw his glove in frustration at one point, danced and whined on third base for a while, and I feared for the coach at one point when Jerry was armed with his bat in hand! Overall though, it went well and now he knows what to expect next time. The good thing is that they ironed out those minor details with the coach of the team before ours and there should never be an instance when they run that late again. Ok, never might be too strong of a word!
Here is a video of Jeremiah at bat and some pictures as well. What you can't hear in the video is Coach Jeff trying to encourage a frustrated Jeremiah to hold the bat properly, stand with his feet the right way, and try. Jeremiah turns to him at one point and yells, "I'm trying!"
I am a home schooling mommy of four children 12 and under and happily married to my best friend for the last sixteen years. Our youngest son Jeremiah was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2006. This blog has been created to document the home schooling challenges and rewards of teaching Jeremiah.
