fbpx
[additional-authors]
March 5, 2015

“What are your hopes and dreams for your adult son?” the physical therapist asks at the Medical Therapy Unit as part of an annual review. I hate this question. Doesn’t every parent want the same basic things for their children–a safe place to live, good health, adequate income and people who care about them? And one more thing—we all want our kids to be happy.

For teens and adults with disabilities, it’s that happy part that is often overlooked. But, during this Hebrew month of Adar and Purim, when we are actually commanded by our tradition to increase our joy and to be happy, it’s an appropriate time to talk about the importance of having fun.

Last Saturday night we drove our son, and a friend, to the 18th birthday party for Joshua Erenmark, whose mom, Judy Mark, I have known since I was in high school (and who led the successful campaign for the new Self-Determination law in CA). Since the birthday boy is crazy about the animated character, Sponge Bob Square Pants, the party room was awash in Sponge Bob decorations including pineapples on each table, balloons designed to look like jelly fish and Sponge Bob’s likeness on cookies and doughnuts.

Our son was excited to see a DJ spinning dance tunes (and quickly went on the stage to join him), and guests were taking turns playing on the pinball machines, air hockey and Fossball tables and with a basketball throwing game. There was also plenty of pizza, hamburgers and other tasty finger food. In every way, it was a typical teenage party for the 60 teens and young adults who were there with autism and other developmental disabilities.

A mom of one of the guests told Judy later that her son usually hates parties and his dad didn't feel well so they were hoping not to stay too long. But every time they tried to leave her son would type on his communication device, “No, I want to stay.” Some guests wandered around, picking up random food items, many danced by themselves or in circles with friends, and there were a whole lot of hugs given and received from people too often written off as “not being social”.

Most of those teens and young adults spend many hours each week in therapies and social skill groups, working on communication skills, regulating their behavior and/or motor skills. As important as it is for our teens and young adults with special needs to acquire the independent living skills they will need to be successful in life, we can’t lose sight of that other important lifetime goal extolled by Pharrell Williams—to be happy.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024

With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.