Backhoe Therapy for Autism, the New Breakthrough. Video

A visit to Pa-pa's house and his backhoe. My son has always loved heavy equipment, like most boys I suspect. You know, there are a lot of parents that report that things like horseback riding works wonders for their kids. I think kids in general like animals, especially ones that are big and I don't find that at all unusual. I wonder, do tractors and backhoes do the same thing? I think kids just like big things that move. Its fun riding up high on something powerful and I don't think autism has much to do with the joy of it and I don't believe in things like "horseback riding therapy". Its hard sometimes for parents to separate what is autism and what is just plain ole kid stuff. The world tells you that your kid is unusual and you never actually have much time to think about your kid as a kid because you either have some people that say your kid does such and such because they're autistic or your kid can't do such and such because they're autistic. Autistic kids of course are also kids and they like some of the same things most kids like. I think its more just the fun factor.

My son's aide was shocked recently to see my son collapse into the arms of someone he loves and just cuddle with them. What exactly did she think he was? He's a kid and human being that of course responds to someone that he knows cares about him. Its this type of thing parents struggle with everyday, to try and convince the rest of society that their kids are human beings with the same type of emotions as other kids. Are they different in some ways? Sure they are! But autistic people are people. They bleed like others, they have emotions like others, they respond to others with love and affection, they get mad and angry. No difference. There are extremes in everyone. There are autistic kids with more challenges than other kids, but hey, they are kids with the same needs too. We don't need to package fun things as therapy. They are just simply.....fun things!