Sports as Social Medicine for Neurodiverse Kids

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, Fun, growth mindset, ParentingTags:, , , , , , ,

On the last Sunday morning of September, T woke up excited for his first soccer lesson.

T loves soccer and his CYW suggested enrolling him into lessons.

Sports is often therapeutic for neurodiverse kids, like T who has FASD and ADHD, to help burn off energy and to regulate their mood.

I also see social benefits in sports.

One of our hopes is that soccer lessons will also help T build teamwork skills and social connection, two areas of need.

T was so pumped for his lessons that he went to practice in the field behind our home before we headed off to class.

We ran into a neighbour whose son once kicked his ball into our backyard.

His son practiced kicks by the goal post on the other side of our fence for hours in warm weather.

The dad told T to keep practicing because his son is now in university in Portland on a soccer scholarship. 💕

A minute before T’s first lesson started, he blurted out that he forgot to put on underwear. 😂

But the class went well!

There were about 20 kids, mostly boys and 1 girl.

They started with warm up jogs then practice drills of soccer skills and then spent the last half of the class playing in randomly assigned teams.

Each team got to play twice.

Despite losing both his games, T had lots of fun and almost got a goal in.

He took the losses in stride, and I’m glad, because sportsmanship is a good skill to learn!

As we watched him play, the hubby dreamed out loud about T going to medical school on a soccer scholarship while working towards his first gold medal for diving in the Olympics.

I just wanted him to make it to the end of class without his shorts sliding off. 😆

After the game, we celebrated T’s first lesson with lunch at Dumpling King, where T finished a plate of his favourite pork dumplings.

The second class this recent Sunday also went well.

T’s team won the second of their two matches.

Even though T didn’t score the winning goal, we both cheered out loud when the ball went in. I may have screamed excessively loud. 🤣

I loved watching T’s eyes light up, hands thrown up in the air and big open smile and cheer.

I hope he learned that when he plays as a team, everyone wins together.

As we left the recreation centre, T asked to slow down so he could say bye to one of the kids.

As our car left the parking lot, he asked to roll down the window so he could say bye to the kids.

34 thoughts on “Sports as Social Medicine for Neurodiverse Kids”

  1. Pingback: Sports as Social Medicine for Neurodiverse Kids - Sportzone

  3. This sounds like a very positive thing to do for T. Not only did it help him build his teamwork and social skills, but it also taught him about wining and losing, two things humans will always have to deal with in life. When he asked you to roll down the window so he could say bye to the kids, you know that despite all the challenges, deep down he is a very kind and sweet person.

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  5. Love the lines: A minute before T’s first lesson started, he blurted out that he forgot to put on underwear. 

    😂

    and you were hoping his shorts didn’t fall down after your husband’s dreams of the Olympics and med school – LOL! You are so funny, and a sense of humor helps when there is a lot on your plate! Yay, for T for good sportsmanship and making friends, and Yay to you and hubby for all you do for T – XO

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    1. Thanks Vickie! The underwear incident truly is hilarious to reflect on and thankfully nothing happened. 😆 As you know and can relate all too well on, a good sense of humour helps us get through the harder edges of life. 💕😂

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  7. Soccer seems to be a great fit for T and glad to hear he’s enjoying it. Just think though, even though it helps him burn off a lot of energy, every day he’s getting a bit stronger and has even more energy! I couldn’t agree more about how good sportsmanship is such an important skill to learn. It sounds like he’s already making some friends. Enjoy the long weekend and have a happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks Linda! It’s a quieter slower day today and I’m so thankful. No Turkey for us this year. 😆 Soccer has been a good fit so far. I can’t believe three sessions have flown by already. It’s been helpful to get him out and about and burning that endless energy! 💕

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      1. My family typically doesn’t do turkey for Thanksgiving anymore. Chicken seems to be a much bigger crowd pleaser. Glad to hear T’s soccer games have been going well! I imagine he’s looking forward to Halloween now!

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      2. Roast or fried chicken for me over turkey any day too! And yup, very excited for Halloween too! I bet you are too. Your very first for M!

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      3. You bet!! I’ve always enjoyed Halloween, but now I have a great excuse to get even more into it now that I have a kid. Oh, and you better believe there will be a parent tax when it comes to Halloween candy and trick or treating!!

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  9. Oh, I love this! And the “goals” we have for our kids – big and small! It’s so amazing all the other skills that our kids learn when they participate in these activities that are ostensibly about learning a sport but really are so much more. Go team! Hope you enjoy the weekend, Ab!

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    1. Thanks Wynne! The sport also becomes secondary as you noted to all the other wonderful things happening, like social connection and skills building. 🙏 Hope you have a nice weekend too. We’re celebrating Canada Thanksgiving today! 💕

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  10. I’m laughing…about the fabulous aspirations in mind for T’s future…from your hubs…and your hope that T’s shorts stay put. Simple things make we parents happy, eh? Thanks for the smiles. And is it my imagination or has T grown a foot in a few weeks? Wowza. 🥰

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    1. Thanks Vicki! It truly is the simple things that make life as a parent so joyous. 😊 I think he might be going throw another growth period as he’s been complaining of leg pains at night. Let’s hope! 🙏

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      1. Oh…could be, could be! I know Paul had tremendous ‘growing pains’ literally when he began to shoot up in stages – getting so much taller than his peers. Give T some extra love…he’s a superstar. 🥰

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      2. 💕💕💕 Thank you. That means a lot.

        I will convey your message once I am more caffeinated. Just trying to keep the eyelids open. 😆 Happy Monday!

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