Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Demovictory9

(32,457 posts)
Tue Apr 9, 2019, 11:24 AM Apr 2019

a group of teens approach a five year autistic boy at a skate park

..and teach him how to ride a skateboard!

-------------------------------------------

A group of teens taught a 5-year-old boy with autism how to ride a skateboard on his birthday

For Carter, a 5-year-old with high functioning autism and ADHD, it might have been the perfect birthday.


The boy's mother, Kristen Braconi, took him to a skate park in South Brunswick, New Jersey, for his fifth birthday last week. As Carter was riding his scooter, a group of older kids showed up and began to teach him how to use a mini skateboard.
They showed him how to balance on it, offered encouraging words and helped him up when he fell. Later they even sang him happy birthday.

"The kids went above and beyond and that's what it was all about," said Braconi, who filmed the scene and shared it on the local community's Facebook page.

"I wanted to recognize the kids and their parents because when you can show their parents how kind and respectful they are when you aren't around you know you have done a great job!" she told CNN. "They did so much more than they knew."




Braconi says the teens did not know that 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, adding that Carter gained a lot of confidence from the positive social interaction.
In one of the videos, the older boy who loaned Carter the skateboard can be heard saying, "This kid's already better than me."
https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/01/us/boy-autism-skateboard-birthday-trnd/

11 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
a group of teens approach a five year autistic boy at a skate park (Original Post) Demovictory9 Apr 2019 OP
So nice to read a uplifting story ... CatMor Apr 2019 #1
Awesome to hear about a group of kids that DON'T act like a bunch bullwinkle428 Apr 2019 #2
Yeah judging by that headline I literally would have thought the exact opposite! Initech Apr 2019 #7
K & R Niagara Apr 2019 #3
Yah, pretty cool....saw this on CBS Sunday Morning show...... a kennedy Apr 2019 #4
My kids never had a problem... the_sly_pig Apr 2019 #5
My son and hubby are skaters. It's always been a great Luz Apr 2019 #10
That story took a pleasent turn Soxfan58 Apr 2019 #6
So happy to hear this. Scarsdale Apr 2019 #8
Thank you for this post! SallyHemmings Apr 2019 #9
Lovely story cp Apr 2019 #11

bullwinkle428

(20,629 posts)
2. Awesome to hear about a group of kids that DON'T act like a bunch
Tue Apr 9, 2019, 11:52 AM
Apr 2019

of vile little trolls! Definitely the kind of story we need to hear more of.

the_sly_pig

(741 posts)
5. My kids never had a problem...
Tue Apr 9, 2019, 12:52 PM
Apr 2019

At the local skate park. Older kids always looked out for the younger ones and were very supportive and encouraging.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
8. So happy to hear this.
Tue Apr 9, 2019, 02:14 PM
Apr 2019

There are more stories like this one that can be shared, I am positive. We only hear the bad ones. Great group of kids. Their parents should be proud of them all.

cp

(6,636 posts)
11. Lovely story
Wed Apr 10, 2019, 11:12 AM
Apr 2019

We all need good stories. Helps our hearts stay whole during these dark national times. Thank you for posting this.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»a group of teens approach...