For children with autism, social situations of any kind can be overwhelming. They have the desire to interact with others, but may not know how or have the skills to do so which makes continuous practice and building up their self-confidence extremely important. This is why a story about a group of teenagers going out of their way to teach a little boy with autism how to skateboard is making the internet reach for tissues.
Carter is an incredible 5-year-old boy with high functioning autism and ADHD who recently celebrated his birthday.
His mother, Kristen Braconi, took him to a skatepark in South Brunswick, New Jersey last week in honor of his special day.
He was enjoying riding his scooter around the park when a group of teens showed up and offered to teach him how to use a mini skateboard.
They cheered him on and scooped him up any time he fell down. After learning it was Carter’s birthday, the group even got together to sing to him.
Kristen was touched by the teens’ kindness to her son and later shared footage of their interaction on Facebook.
Posted by Kristen Braconi on Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Posted by Kristen Braconi on Tuesday, March 26, 2019
She captioned the post:
Today is my son’s 5th birthday and he has high functioning autism and ADHD and you would never know by looking at him that anything was going on. You also wouldn’t know that the woman with us was his behavioral therapist. We went to the park behind the police station and he was in the skate park on his scooter and some older kids showed up. They were absolutely amazing with him and included him and were so beyond kind it brought me to tears. I caught a video of them singing to my son and one of the kids gave him a mini skateboard and taught him how to use it. I can’t even begin to thank these kids for being so kind and showing him how wonderful people can be to complete strangers. I bought them all ice cream to say thank you but it wasn’t enough! Thank you to whoever these children are and thank you to their parents because you are doing a wonderful job!!!
“I wanted to recognize the kids and their parents because when you can show their parents how kindand respectful they are when you aren’t around you know you have done a great job!” Kristen told CNN. “They did so much more than they knew.”
The mom says that the teens had no idea Carter has autism.
“They wanted to do that for him and their kindness and inclusion without knowing anything was going on with him, it was amazing,” she said.
After Kristen and Carter left the park, they decided to get ice cream and sandwiches for the teens as a thank you for all of their kindness.
Of course, it wasn’t long before Kristen’s Facebook post went viral and even got the attention of the South Brunswick police who shared a photo of the teens on Twitter in hopes of rewarding them for being so sweet to Carter.
LOOKING TO FIND SOME SUPERHEROES – On Tuesday some older kids turned into superheroes right behind police headquarters.
Here is the story – A mom took her son to the South Brunswick Skate Park for his 5th birthday. He has high functioning autism and ADHD. pic.twitter.com/DLITBsQz9m
— So Brunswick PD (@SoBrunswickPD) March 28, 2019
According to CNN, the “superheroes” were soon located and Kristen plans to give them a pizza party in the near future.
And people were in love with the story.
I love this story so much! Let us not just raise kids who know better, let us raise kids who do better! Way to make a difference boys!
— Jennifer Lizza (@outsmartedmommy) March 28, 2019
Being kind goes a long way , thank you for sharing the good news!
— Jenni5stars (@jenni5stars) March 28, 2019
Now these boys were brought up right! True Superheros
— Greg Smith (@Giggs90Greg) April 1, 2019
This is everything! Thank you for sharing something so positive and well done to both the kids and parents!!! Bravo
— Susan Krzykowski (@SusanKrzykowski) March 29, 2019
Tothe kids with heart ??, thank you for being the incredible people you are. Your family and friends should be proud; I know I am. You can’t teach that, you’re born that way. It can be stifled; thank you parents for allowing your kids to shine through and be who they are.
— Kathryn Cole (@cole13_kathryn) April 1, 2019
Some good news I happily share! Those kids were amazing!! Parents should be very proud! Great job and great example!!
— BKurtis (@BKurtis) April 4, 2019
h/t CNN
