6 yo Son would like to play t-ball

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I want him to also but fear that his lack of ability to follow directions will lead to humiliation. Can you help me with this- I'm not worried about myself but fear it will lower Caleb's self esteem. Do aspies learn how to play sports? If he could be a meember of a team, I think it would be good for him but I fear he will be ousted and he doesn't need that. Paul.

How is he with board games (rules) and games that involve turn taking? How does he handle losing a game?

So let him play. My parents let me try things out even if I did risk failure.

I concur, let him try it out: we put my son in soccer because I assumed he wouldn't be able to handle all the standing in line and transitioning in baseball (this was before we knew what was going on.) Soccer was a nightmare, DS hated it, but he'd ask us to sign him up every year and then we felt we couldn't back out of it.

I would, however, approach the league or coach and let them know your son has some special needs - if you find yourself and the coach together on the sidelines screaming at him to pay attention, that's your cue that it isn't a good fit.

Turns out our school did a unit on baseball in 5th grade, DS's a natural. Go figure.

BTW - if team sports don't work out for you, there are other options to consider like martial arts, swimming, and running. DS did a Circus Arts program for several years. Whatever gets them moving.

Your son's inability to follow rules is not a characteristic of AS, but of his own personal difficulties. Many of us played sports when we were children.

If your son has a problem following rules you will simply have to work with him to remind him. If I recall correctly from when my younger siblings played T-Ball, the emphasis was letting the kids have fun.

Having AS is not a reason to avoid team sports. Some people with AS don't like team sports, but some do. Why not give it a try. I think avoiding things because they are hard or difficult is more detrimental to our children's self-esteem and confidence than trying/failing and learning to get back up. Here is a professional baseball player with AS.

http://autismandathletics.wordpress.com ... isenreich/

Let him play, than. He might understand rules more than people give him credit for.

Thanks much members. Everything said sounds quite reasonable and I especially liked the link to a professional baseball player on the spectrum. Thanks again- Paul