A Tale of March Madness- How Basketball Rescued My Autistic Son

My boy…

Shortly before his 5th birthday, my son told me that when he “grewed up” he was going to play ball at Duke University.   He would stand in front of the TV and jump up and down for hours while he watched college basketball.  He would read (yes, at 5) the ESPN Sports Almanac and memorize every record and every Final Four champion since 1939.  He was diagnosed with autism before he was 2.  I knew in my heart that he had the disorder.  Despite assurances from our pediatrician, my parents and family friends, I could connect the dots.  As a physical therapist, I had completed my internship at a local, prestigious children’s hospital, and had treated many young children with “severe developmental delays”.  In the 70’s, the diagnosis of autism did not exist as we know it today, but the patterns were nauseatingly familiar; non-verbal and uncommunicative, repetitive behaviors, self-stimulation, hyperfocus in some areas, an inability to engage in play, and no eye contact.   At 14 months, I had my baby evaluated, but knew the diagnosis before I heard it.  The dreaded A word.  In the early 1990’s, autism still seemed akin to a death sentence.  But I would “handle” it.  After all, I had successfully treated professional hockey players, Division I athletes and everything in between.  Certainly I could treat and manage my own toddler’s rehabilitation…  We began a home regime of special education, speech, occupational and physical therapy- the full court press.  Unfortunately, my son was unimpressed and results were scant.  When not in therapy, he was jumping on the bed for hours a day, or flicking the lights in his room on and off repetitively, or inserting his video tapes into the VCR only to eject them seconds later.  He could not engage in any activity or play with his older brother, and he had no playmates.  By age 3, despite an impressive treatment schedule, there had been no significant gains made.  By chance, I bought him his first Nerf basketball set for his birthday (mainly because I was running out of ideas for safe, engaging toys).  He now was shooting free throws 4 or 5 hours a day.  When he was around other children, he still wasn’t talking, but was playing with his now requisite basketball.  This was far more socially acceptable than standing in the corner jumping up and down continuously.  (Speaking of which, his toe walking and jumping in place was aiding his jump shot.)  As he began school, the size of his basketball collection grew.  When he attended a local after school SCORE! learning program with his brother, he quickly realized that a good score on his computer meant several chances at a free throw.  Forget the prizes, he wanted the hoop!  By the end of that year, at 5 years old, he had the most ribbons on the wall for scoring the most 3 pointers, and became an amazing reader in the process.  Needless to say, we signed him up for his first basketball team shortly thereafter; A TEAM– with other children of the same age.  As the years passed, his other abilities truly blossomed, and many of his sensory peculiarities diminished.  Though true friendships remained elusive, he could be socially accepted once he stepped onto the court.  He is now 17, and is part of student government, a member of a Youth Action Board for his special education pre-school, and has straight A’s. When he is studying for an important test (like the SAT) he still burns off anxiety and maintains focus by shooting at the Nerf basketball hoop ever-present in his room.  Last week, his Varsity team won the State Basketball Championship.

Thank you, basketball.  You pulled my son into life with the living. He’s going to the dance, and yes, he will be applying to Duke University in the fall.  Coach K, watch out.  He’s bringing his Nerf ball with him…

**Update:

My son did apply to Duke, but jumped at his Early Action acceptance to Georgetown University!  There, he is on the Dean’s List, a member of The Georgetown Chimes, and has interned at both Autism Speaks and Capitol Hill.  Talk about a three-pointer.  There’s no stopping this kid!!  (And he has a Georgetown hoop and blue and white Nerf ball in his dorm room…)