Juggling and Autism? Is it a good combination?

I would like to share with all of you, a little bit what I am doing in my job. For a long time I have wanted to write about this.

As a personal trainer and sport coach I have constantly challenges within my clients (I love them, they make my work very interesting every day), although, one year ago, came to me a special challenge...

2013, one client, 14 years old, male, autism (not extreme Aspergen syndrome). For those who do not know exactly what is here some links:

- Autism
- Autism, what is?
- a good movie is: Adam (2009) Director: Max Mayer

Well, his English was perfect (still now), he wasn't able to get out his look from his shoes, coordination zero, lack of social skills and no emotional control, with an interesting way of thinking; connection between mind to mouth without filters (still now and this is something really good, he gives the honest feedback ever)

I had experienced in Spain with disabled people and what I learnt from the were:

Always we decide were is our limit. The difficulties to work with disabled people are not on them, they are already used to live like this, is in their reality, daily. Difficulties are on you (on us) and, until you accept this, do not expect to work and have any success with them.

So, I decided to put on practise my learnings:
- I asked him to give me some time to adapt me to him, he understood perfectly
- At first to rise his self esteem and self confidence and build the relation, he was sitting always higher than me, is very important the visual position between autistic person and non autistic person, with this we avoid dominant relations or positions.

Fire show, haloween Slovenske Konjice (Slovenija)

After a while I thought about my juggling, about the way that helped me to develop a strong self control of my thoughts and emotions, concentration, coordination, also every time that I got a new trick, I was feeling great and contrary to what everyone thinks, every child and adult can learn it.

So I went for it.

I needed few weeks to see some improvements, his eyes were out from the ground, he was just avoiding my look, turning his eyes to the side, he started to practise a "give me five" after the trainings more naturally. (as a note, also I need to say that he also is practising swimming and practises with me) Everything helps!

Still I am working with him, this year he is already inside a group with other kids, and the relation between them is very good, even they have good time making fun of me!

Maybe juggling and autism are a good combination.

Carlos
My challenge is your success