Tying Shoes With Max!

by Jay
(Chicago, IL, USA)



My son Max is 8 years old and was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome which is on the autism spectrum. It is really easy for any parent to not challenge their child especially when you know they may have a developmental delay.

My son struggles with fine motor skills so something as easy as tying his shoes was difficult. For most of his life I just bought him slip on shoes or shoes with Velcro so that he would not have to struggle with this task that most children his age have already mastered.

At some point I realized that I was not helping him or preparing him for his future if I did not teach, guide and encourage him to tie his own shoes. The first thing I did to encourage him on this journey was to take him to the store and let him pick out some really cool lace up shoes that I knew he would be excited to wear. Fortunately we found some SpongeBob Square pants lace up shoes that he liked a lot.

Having Asperger's syndrome, Max tended to only want to watch the TV show, and loved it very much. Then I did a lot of research on what were some of the easiest ways to tie shoes.

Another issue that complicated matters was that he was left handed and I was right handed. This made the mechanics of learning to tie shoes more difficult. Because of this not only did I have to learn new methods of tying shoes, but I also had to learn to do it as a left handed person. It was almost as if I was learning to tie shoes for the first time myself.

One of the first ways that I showed him how to tie shoes was from an autism website. We tried this method several times both with myself demonstrating and with him watching the video. He still continued to struggle with the fine motor skills and began to get very frustrated.

I encouraged him by letting him know that he could do this and it would just take practice. I also made sure that he understood that I believed in him. However, we still continue to struggle with this process.

I was talking to my best friend about our struggles we have in common, since her child also has autism spectrum disorder. She showed me how she was able to show her child how to tie shoes. It was very helpful having someone to confide in that had gone through similar situations.

With practice, support, love, and increasing confidence, Max was able to tie his shoes. He is still somewhat lazy about it, and likes to leave them tied each day if we let him. He would prefer to wear them as slides, but that's another story for another day.




Comments for Tying Shoes With Max!

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

May 08, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Learning By Teaching
by: Dr. DeFoore

Hi Jay

Your story makes it so clear how parenting can teach parents. Kids are such powerful teachers, and I'm sure Max has taught you a lot more than just how to tie shoes left handed.

Good for you for being patient and devoted to helping him in this way.

I wish you all the best in your continued journey with your son.

Dr. DeFoore

P.S. Thanks for joining in our Goodfinding Community Online, where you share stories, videos, and quotes, or sign up for daily or monthly Goodfinding emails.


Goodfinding Logo

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Positive Parenting Help.


We receive commissions on Amazon sales.