Apologies if this doesn’t fit here, but this seems like a good thread to talk about kids and autism. It doesn’t fit in any of the mini-rant threads, because it is the opposite of that, and I don’t think is interesting enough to deserve its own thread. I’ll try and bring it back around to be on topic.
I need to give a big shout-out and kudos to the Trimble corporation and their Project Spectrum. If you’re not in construction, probably the only way you’d know Trimble is through their SketchUp software, which is used for 3d modeling. It can do everything from a quick mockup of a real or virtual 3d space, to designing objects for 3d printing or other manufacturing.
Over spring break they hosted a SketchUp class aimed at kids with autism. Completely for free, they took kids for 3 hours a day, for all 5 days, provided laptops and snacks, and two adults to mind the kids. They’d talk a little bit about how people use SketchUp, then just helped the kids to create whatever they wanted, and at the end let the kids present their designs, or not, no pressure.
It was really amazing, and almost completely altruistic. None of these kids are going to buy a $(call for quote) 3d laser scanning system to survey their construction site, and they can all use SketchUp for free with their school Google account, so they aren’t even buying a subscription.
My kid absolutely loved it. They never once protested going, and at the end asked if they can do it again (Yes!).
Also, they were totally cool with me filling up my cup from the free (and good) coffee in the cafe. I never did look for the “wall of candy” that one of the other parents mentioned.
To bring it back to the topic. Wee Weasel is probably still too young for this exact type of experience, but do keep an eye out for similar opportunities in the community. The parental benefits of this were great. It got the kid out of the house; it gave the kid a reason to wake up in the morning, so the school sleep schedule wasn’t completely shot by the end of break; and the general parental warm glow of seeing your kid enjoy something is priceless (also free coffee).