“I enjoy finding these little hidden talents in my son all of the time. I encourage you to look for the talents in those around you, too.”
Some of Tyler’s t-shirts, post-shredding.
By Wendi Sobelman
In the world of autism, nothing is predictable. Those with autism can be affected in a variety of ways. Some can do the most incredible things. Some have an amazing talent, like Rain Man had a talent for numbers and card counting, and Kodi Lee, winner of America’s Got Talent 2019, could sing beautifully and play the piano. I am constantly in search of my son’s talent. Tyler is now 22 years old.
When Tyler was younger, his music therapist discovered he had perfect pitch! Sounded like we would have a talented musician in the family. Unfortunately, he is affected too much by his autism and verbal apraxia to be able to sing or play the piano. However, we found his musical talent! … a talent for removing the keys on the electronic keyboard. He’s quick and can snap them right off. Not sure the powers-that-be will count that as a talent, though.
We did find that Tyler has an uncanny “talent” for being able to play something on video (used to be with VHS tapes and then progressed to the iPod, iPad, and computer) and stop the play, rewind it to the exact same spot he listened to previously and then listen to it again. He could repeat that sequence and get it exactly right every time. And did so 100 times a day : ). We just don’t quite see that talent as progressing into a future career.
Over the last few years, Tyler developed a behavior problem that keeps us on our toes. He likes to rip his clothes… while he is still wearing them. He will rip anything but mostly, he likes to rip t-shirts. It is quite incredible the methodology involved in the ripping. Sometimes he “hulkerizes” them where he just rips from top to bottom/bottom to top like the Incredible Hulk got a hold of him. Other times, he takes his time and creates a pattern of starting at the hem and ripping it around his body and then circles the rips up in layers. When he’s done, his shirt looks like one of those old-fashioned white stringy mops (which I still use).
One night I was watching America’s Got Talent in 2020, and here came a man named David Rush. His talent was to rip t-shirts off of his body. I was floored! I had no idea that this was considered a talent. It must be if it’s on AGT, right? He wore a bunch of t-shirts at once and easily ripped each off of his body. I was so excited! My son does have a talent after all! While Mr. Rush did beat the world record for ripping shirts off of his body (who thinks of these things?), he did not make it through to the next round. So maybe not a talent after all.
I think all of these things can be your own personal talent if you think of them that way. Who knows? I enjoy finding these little hidden talents in my son all of the time. I encourage you to look for the talents in those around you, too.
Wendi Sobelman is a mother of triplets, an author (children’s educational picture book about autism soon to be released), and a former educator with a Master of Arts in Counseling who lives in Scottsdale, AZ.
Disclaimer: Blogposts on the NCSA blog represent the opinions of the individual authors and not necessarily the views or positions of the NCSA or its board of directors.