Surfers for Autism Ponce Inlet

We attended our first Surfers for Autism event. The event was held at Ponce Inlet which is down the street from where Andrew and I lived when we first moved to Florida. We really like this location and it holds so many memories for us.

This is their mission statement from their site: The Surfers For Autism mission is to unlock the potential of people with developmental delays, support advocacy for autism issues and scientific research. Our focus is to eliminate stigma through public awareness and education and to unite communities through volunteerism. I wasn't sure if we would be able to attend when I signed the boys up but given that it's a popular event that fills up quickly, I signed up. Thankfully we moved the week before the event and it was the perfect excuse to avoid organizing our new home. The organization asks that the particpants have an IEP to qualify as a participant. Gabriel clearly qualifies. I emailed the coordinator about Alex, explaining our situation and the battle we had with the school. I told her that I didn't want to take a place of another child who has an IEP and understood if he didn't qualify as a participant. She welcomed him with open arms. I am grateful since we still don't have a diagnosis or explanation for his behavior. We had to get early on a Saturday in order to make it to the beach on time. We are now two hours from Ponce Inlet. I had no idea we are so far away now! Unfortunately, we completely forgot to pack toys for the kids! A friend attended and shared her beach toys with the kids - whew! I now have a printed list for the beach to see if it helps us remember everything for a day at the beach. Gabriel was not happy that we drove the van on the beach and had to walk to the event. He threw a fit for a while. The nice part about being with other families with kid with autism, is NO ONE turns to look at your screaming 7 year old. It is the best thing about these events. Gabriel could work through his meltdown and I had no embarrassment about the situation. At one point, I walked to the bathroom with Gabriel. It was quite a challenge, even with the help of a volunteer. She talked to Gabriel about turtles and bugs as we walked. He continued to throw himself on the ground. I learned how to spot turtle tracks in the sand! But I was worried the entire day was a bust if his poor attitude didn't change. The event was fantastic. First, we signed in and 200 participants were divided into four groups. The registration process was painless and well organized. Each group of kids spent just over half an hour in the water with volunteers who taught them how to surf. While we waited in line for the boys turns, Gabriel wrote math equations in the sand. It was his idea and the first time he's ever done something like that - wow!! Gabriel was excited to join his surfer in the water. He did well until he fell in the water and then he wasn't thrilled to surf any more. The volunteer picked Gabriel up after a brief break and took him back out to the water. It was perfect for Gabriel and he managed to complete 6 runs on the board!

Alex was far more anxious about getting on a surf board. Even though this is Alex's pattern when he tries new things, I was a little surprised by his reaction. He loves the beach and his boogie board. I didn't think he would even make it out to the water. However, he not only made it out on the board, he did a GREAT job too.

Lane loves the beach as well and had a blast playing the sand and surf. She is a real beach "baby". She had no interest in surfing so it worked out well.

The event has information booths and includes lunch. All of it is free for families! I walked around with Alex because he wanted a ball a company was handing out to children. We stopped at a booth and Alex charmed the guy there and Alex was given a shark tooth. Alex placed it in his pocket for safe keeping. It was a HOT day and after getting up early, we were done before the second round of surfing events started. It was well worth the two hour drive and we look forward to another Surfers with Autism event in the future.