Jason McElwain: Are Autistic Kids Underestimated?

The autistic boy, Jason, who captured everyone's hearts by burying 3-pointers all over and getting 20 points in his first and last moments in a high school ball game met the Prez today. I know this story is simple and straight-forward and heartwarming. It is that.

It is also something more. With a child diagnosed autistic who takes special ed classes and also spends time in a mainstream class, this story is personal.

My question after reading this story: Why wasn't Jason allowed to play more? Sure he was being fed the ball, sure the defense played soft, but he still made six three-pointers. The defenders did try to block his shots but couldn't.

This team never gave Jason a shot before this. He was the team manager. He gladly served just to be near the action. But couldn't he have contributed more? Couldn't he have been given a chance earlier in the season?

I've been a bench-warmer in my time having played High School basketball on a State-winning team. Compared to the starters I wasn't as good, no question. Lacking the killer instinct and the court-sense of some of the players--especially Dionne the star of the team--I sat. A lot.

My basketball history has never kept me up nights, I promise you. But I do know the politics of High School sports. Some kids, the coaches favorites, will get to play even when they are average. Some kids will get court time because parents rant. Some kids will sit because the coach really doesn't like them all that much.

Jason could have been a contributor to this team a lot sooner than the last game of the season, when all bench warmers get their one minute of fame. Why wasn't he? Because of his diagnosis? Because he couldn't communicate?

My concern with children so-labled is that everyone sees them in terms of an "autistic kid" who surprises every once in a while with flashes of brilliance. An alternate view, one I wish those who interact with my son would possess, would be that the child is like others with flashes of autism.

Most times, you can't even tell my son is different. But there are situations when his differences are obvious. He forgets social rules. He can be pedantic. He can interrupt. He gets off-topic. He has trouble learning things that are easy for everyone else, but has an easy time learning things that are difficult for others. It's not that he doesn't have a sense of humor--it's just different. It's not that he doesn't enjoy movies--he just enjoys them for different reasons other people do. It's not that he's asocial--it's just that he must socialize in certain ways to be comfortable.

Yes, kids with autism create opportunities for everyone else to be flexible. That can be a pain in the arse, especially for teachers and coaches used to compliance. Leading kids with autism can be like herding cats.

The positive side is that they almost never do something intentially mean or cruel. They are idealistic, loyal and sweet. Usually. In fact, kids with autism can be so charming that before you know it you find yourself doing things for them that they can do for themselves. This innocent charm can also cause you to underestimate their ability. I marvel: who is smarter? The kid who does everything themselves or the kid who is so effective at getting everyone else to do what he wants for him--and without resorting to bullying, threatening or any other violence?

While Jason McElwain brought attention to autism, he also spotlights the subtle bigotry that exists--not by fellow students (although some ignorant buffoons enjoy picking on these kids)--but by the system that labels them. Jason should not be a surprise. He should not be one in a million.

Autism is an epidemic. There are multiple thousands of children who will be underserved and underutilized as a resource, if the only ambition for them is to be baggers at Kroger. They are capable of so much more.

I'm happy for Jason and his one night of success. My hope though, is that these children get more chances to succeed. Just a chance. Had Jason got playing time earlier in the season, the coach might have seen that this kid could be the perfect clutch shooter. (An autistic trait is utter obliviousness to high-pressure moments.)

My desire isn't for one more special interest group who is a quota recipient. I desire opportunity--just a chance for my kid. If he doesn't do so great, fine. But if he does, just imagine the possibilities! He might still be a kid with autism, but maybe he's also the kid who is a great basketball player and oh! Did you know that he's autistic?


Read more here.

H/T Michelle Malkin