Autism is hard for the child who suffers and for his family. Social relations are not the strong point of these children and parents strive because they do not feel isolated or treat them as sick, and that they lead an autonomous life, the most similar to the rest of their classmates.
This is at least how my niece and her parents live it. That is why the heartbreaking words of Zuriñe reach Facebook, talking about his son Mikel and how his base football team denies him the opportunity to play games. And we talk about children of nine years!
Is not it supposed to Children's sport should be game, learning and fun? So why is the Betoño Sports Club in Vitoria an example of competition and rivalry?
Autism is a disorder that I know very closely. My niece has Asperger, a specific type of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). And for years I have been watching as her mother struggled not to be treated as sick (because she is not) and let her develop her full potential, which is a lot. He is very intelligent, although perhaps not at the same level as the protagonists of The Big Bang Theory or "The Good Doctor". But they are only fictional characters.
In Babies and more Not all are Sheldon Cooper: six myths and truths of people with autismHis only problem is when interacting with other children his age: they don't usually fit in and see them as "weird bugs", and more so if adults also reinforce this idea.
That's why I immediately joined Zuriñe and his son Mikel. On his Facebook wall are as heartbreaking phrases as:
"His goal: to be able to play a game (like the others), not having missed a single training for a year in a Club, without playing on Saturdays and without losing his smile."
It is decided this year to "give him the opportunity" to play it. It does not make it worse than the others ... I am a direct witness, they have not told me.
However, he explains that he received a whatsapp from the coordinator of the Betoño Sports Club saying that "They have decided to continue training but cannot play games."
And despite the family's attempts to get the club to change its mind, it has been impossible. Because that only game played by Mikel was, according to the club "an exclusive one-day gift".
So when Zuriñe tells his son what happens:
"he cried in a way that no less human person can bear. Wondering what he has done so badly (nothing!), ensuring that he has tried his best (like the one that most!), if he has disrespected someone, or if he maniac and that's why they don't love him ... "
Promote sports among children
We insist on the need for our children to play sports since childhood, since exercise has many benefits for them, and not only for their health. And even better as a team, because children learn to work together for an objective, to respect peers, to assume successes and failures ...
In Babies and more Sport helps prevent bullying among minors: another benefit on the list of positive things it brings to childrenThat is why we strongly reject the actions of those "hooligans" parents who shout at their children in games or face coaches and referees even reaching for their hands. Something very frequent in football matches, even of very young children!
And we applaud the initiatives of the clubs that seek to end these behaviors that condition the children and do not let them enjoy what they like: playing football.
Therefore, we must also show our opposition to the desire for competitiveness promoted by some clubs among children, working with those who achieve victories and relegating those who are forgotten "more clumsy".
What lesson does a child receive that is passed on the bench most of the games? An incredible loss of self-esteem because not only does he see himself as useless playing but he also feels displaced from the team, because the other teammates are an active part, so when he finally goes out to play, they don't pass the ball because it's so bad! And if they pass it on, it fails because they don't trust their ability.
In Babies and more "My son has autism, not leprosy", the harsh message of a father who does not invite his child to children's birthdaysIn the case of my son, it was the ball that did not reach him in a grass hockey club in which he spent four years, living a sport that he loved and not missing any training or game. Which meant that neither his mother could be missing, because parents are always by his side. He ended up abandoning. Is that encouraging sports?
So it's logical that Mikel feels disconsolate, because he doesn't understand that forbid him to play as the boy who is in a team. And that his mother, Zuriñe, demonstrate his anger. Because this is not the education we want to give our children.
Photos | iStock
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