Carson’s Voices: A Place for Struggling Parents

Episode 7: More Than a Gym-- Building & Belonging in North Austin

• Carson’s Voices: A Place for Struggling Parents • Episode 7

Share episode

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 1:01:05

Send us Fan Mail

Adolfo and Christa are Owners and Operators of We Rock the Spectrum Gym in North Austin, TX. Discussion on their Family, their Journey on life with Autism and discussions about how they opened their Gym.

SPEAKER_02

Well, uh, this is the second time I'm doing an interview for this podcast, and the second time my wife is not with me again, so it'll just be a solo one this time. But uh this time I have guests in front of me. Um Adolpho Krista from We Rock the Spectrum in North Austin. Guys, welcome. Thank you for coming on. I appreciate you.

SPEAKER_01

Thanks for having us, Phil.

SPEAKER_02

Pleasure's all mine, really. I I'm excited to talk to people and find out more of what we can all do and have real conversations and um just hear people's stories. I think every time I talk to someone on the street or anything like that, it's always seemed like you learn new things. Uh, really about parenting. I mean, parenting by itself is tough, but raising a special needs child or autism, especially, it's it's a whole new mystery, you know. So uh I want to say first before we start that you guys are doing something great here. Uh I've been here twice. The first time I came here, you walk in, Adolfo walks. I walk in, he gets to know your name, he said he shakes your hand, he knows you he by the time he leaves, he knows who you are, he knows a little bit about you, and he he thanks you as he comes out. It's professionalism to the highest level. So kudos to you for setting something up. And again, Krista, you were here the first time you're here. My son was playing with your son, and then we were watching him, and then you came up and introduced yourself, you introduced your son. Uh, I like the fact that it says, uh, what does it say? Uh you don't have to say sorry.

SPEAKER_01

Finally, a place you never have to say I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_02

I love that tagline. I use it at home a lot, but it's for different reasons. So it's way better here. So uh you guys are doing something great. I I've always made a joke about having like a place called regulators that I wanted to start that has like a wave pool and like a 24-hour service, just like this, has everything that a kid would want to regulate. And you guys have a zip line, which is crazy. You guys have basketball hoops for teens, you guys have a comming room, you guys have everything under the sun. So you guys are really doing a great job. So before we start and get to know more about you, I just want to say thank you. I really do. That means a lot.

SPEAKER_01

We we appreciate that, Phil. And uh, this has been, I guess about it took us about two years overall, right? It was about yeah, two year in the making plan to get this place opened. We we uh so I guess we can dive why don't we dive into that? Why don't we talk about how We Rock came into our life? Love it, let's go. Right. So Krista and I, um when we were Joaquin was uh our first child, he's our second child. Um he as he was younger was sort of exhibiting behaviors, right, that were you know kind of you scratch your head and you're you know, you're like, hmm, okay.

SPEAKER_02

What age was he when it did you think it was started?

SPEAKER_01

I would say two-ish.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, it was a little bit before that. A year and a half, maybe two. It started off with like a speech delay. Right. And you know, we went to the pediatrician and we're like, hey, like he's got limited words. Um, and they were like, he's fine. It's he's okay, he's he's he's little, like just put him in speech therapy, he'll be fine.

SPEAKER_01

Kind of like the old like he'll grow out of it. Yeah, he'll grow out of it. That that, you know, it's kind of like a not to say scripted, but it kind of is. It's like, oh he's still young, just he'll grow out. But as parents, you just you just kind of know. And especially since we had our older who was already talking at such a young age, you know, you just you you keep it in the back of your mind, and then uh I'll let you continue after that. But you know, it's just yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

So I mean, it just it took us a little bit of time to actually get the diagnosis. We were also coming out of the pandemic.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, same with us, yeah. Same thing.

SPEAKER_00

So it was about 2020, 2021. Um that we were going through just the journey, the process, and everything.

SPEAKER_01

Um and then yeah, and I I think as we were really kind of combing everywhere for resources, we uh we came across We Rock the Spectrum. And so We Rock the Spectrum is a franchise that was started out in Tarzana, California, uh the founder Dina Kimmel. Uh I'm gonna paraphrase this here, but uh it's essentially like she had what we have here in her house and was built, her son Gabriel uh was diagnosed on the spectrum. She saw, you know, the needs that he need to have, needed to have regulated and kind of built that. And, you know, one thing led to another. She had other businesses, but it was, you know, other like the people around her were like, you should open up a gym. And so she did. And she realized very quickly just how much of a resource it really was for families in her surrounding area. And then it just kind of grew. And, you know, she expanded. And so um, fast forward to where we are, we found we rock the spectrum when we were looking for resources about autism because we were learning, we didn't have any knowledge about it neck next to what you read and all that. But um, we were just trying to look for answers. And yeah, you know, one of the things that um my wife has always said it best, but you know, as we were really going through this journey, it felt very isolating and alone. We have a family that is so loving and so supportive. But in the beginning, it's just it's really hard for I think if you're not going through it to understand it.

SPEAKER_02

Yep.

SPEAKER_01

And so, you know, it really resonated as the the the motto of uh, you know, finally a place we never have to say I'm sorry, really hits you in the heart because, you know, for a long time, right? When we would take our sun places as a challenge.

SPEAKER_00

So for us specifically with Joaquin, um he's limited in his speech, but he's very he like he loves people, he loves other kids and he always wants to go play with them and initiate that play. He just doesn't know how to convey that.

SPEAKER_03

Sure.

SPEAKER_00

And he's always been like that, and he also is very active. So he loves going to play indoor playplaces or playgrounds and things like that. But for us, we experienced a lot of times when we would go to those places that parents and other kids just wouldn't understand his behavior.

SPEAKER_02

And so you feel the judgment before there's even judgment. Correct. Yeah, and like and then you're you're in the sense of you always trying to look out for other people when you're around people, and you want to be extra cautious, and then that gets in your head, and then you go places, and then it's like you're probably in there for 15 minutes and go, Oh, okay, it's over, we're done, we're going, we're leaving.

SPEAKER_01

So, yeah, that feeling is and it's also like there, like it was tough because like we also didn't know what was happening, we also didn't understand how to navigate it, and so the response when you feel judgment was just well, let's just leave, right? And so, you know, it's taken a lot for us to really dive in, and like I mean, we we went all in on the journey, and I kudo like I give Krista 100% all the credit because I think when we go through the process of having a child um that gets diagnosed, um, you know, it's kind of a little bit of a mourning period that you go through because I think every human has, if you will, pre uh preempted goals that you know that you're gonna do this or you're gonna do that.

SPEAKER_02

And um especially having a son, I'm sure.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. Uh you know, you you start to understand that maybe, you know, some of that's not gonna happen. And so there's a lot of processing that goes through that. And she was such a rock and such a huge part of like grabbing everything grabbing it by the horns, Phil, and really moving things along. And so, like where we are today is so foundational because of what Krista did. We would not have We Rock today if it wasn't for the steps that Krista took. So, like this beautiful place is all wholeheartedly because of my wife, and I like I have no shame in like even giving her that credit.

SPEAKER_02

That's incredible. It really is. It's amazing that you uh that you admit that. Because obviously, and not that you shouldn't, it's just like it's it's a lot of work in both parents. And I think me especially, I I always say to my wife, we have different roles in this, and um it's it's like you said, you you feel isolated, you feel scared, you feel like you're making wrong decisions all the time, you feel like uh you don't know what the next step's gonna be. And you said goals especially, and and the fact that you guys came together in this this short period and put something like this together, again, and how warm you are when you when you come in. I really mean that. I I that I it was so cool walking in here. I was like, again, what's this place gonna be? Like, how's my son gonna handle it? And then you guys were so welcoming. Uh, it so just shows the kind of people that you are. So I want to say that just both to you and and Krista, you you put together a great place. So uh keep your head up about this because it's it's in it's incredible. And you guys, I hope more people hear about this and more people see this, and you guys have bookings where you have to turn people away for a while, you know.

SPEAKER_01

That's where we want to get to, yeah. Uh, you know, and and you know, I think the most important thing about We Rock that we really are trying to convey is like we don't want it to be just like a gym, like a sensory gym, like another place where kids can go wild. Like we really like we're really trying to build community and we're really trying to be a resource because like if we were what what we went through, we know a lot of other families go through, but it like we all have pride and we all don't want to feel like we need that help. But the truth is, is when you're raising a special needs child, like we we all need help, and we want to be a part, like we want to build that community and be a resource for the community.

SPEAKER_02

You're you're doing it, and uh you could see it when you when your people are here and the look on their face of people who are retired and people who are not sure where they're gonna go for lunch after this and what their next day is gonna look like, and then again coming to a place like this and then just being able to just like not think for a minute and just play with your kid, it's so important. And I really commend you guys for doing that because that's that's I I've always again I made that joke earlier, but that's exactly what I've always wanted to do, and it's it's it's so important because we need more community like this. I always feel that we we moved here from California about a year and a half ago, and then we came here and uh we found different communities, and everyone's been so warm about it when you start talking to them, especially. But like, if yeah, if they don't have a special needs child that's a little different, and then you feel that judgment, and you feel like you can't really open up to them and tell them what's really going on, it's like, well, what why can't your kid just sit down and stop talking? Or why can't you do this? And why can't why why do they have to climb on the table or do the one thing that they can't do when they go places? But um, I I want to fix that. I want to do something where it's again, my kid can be my kid and my and and be my son and and be able to go places and enjoy it and just not have to because again, my other my oldest son, he can do it. Why can't my youngest son? It's just we always feel that judgment, you know?

SPEAKER_01

Oh yeah, oh yeah. And that's the other aspect, right, too, Phil, with Wee Rock is you know, we are all abilities. So, you know, we serve all children. Yeah, we are huge on inclusion. We we truly believe that both neurodivergent and neurotypical should be able to be in the same room and play together. You know, are there challenges? Of course. But that's what they need to matter. Like when kids we could have all neurotypical kids and there's gonna be challenges, but giving those kids, you know giving them that exposure. You know, we've like we've had families that come in and you know, there'll be children that will just say, you know, why is why is this why is that boy making that sound? And what why are they and like I I could I give kudos to the parents that take the time to say, well, there's nothing wrong with them, they're just happy or they're or their brain just works differently and that's okay. Yeah. So give giving children that exposure so early. Talking about it, talking about it, like you know, more than just awareness, like acceptance that we talk about is like really a goal that we have here at We Rock, you know. And I we see it happening, and it's just like that, those are the little the little wins that like make make us like want to like, yeah, like that's that's great.

SPEAKER_02

It's when they ask the questions and they're comfortable, they ask the questions. I think that's important. And when a kid does it, I I don't look at it as shame because a kid's supposed to ask questions. That's that's how life is. And it's when the parent shush and go, hey, don't no, it's it's fine. We can answer the question. It's not you know, it's no problem. But it's like I I want it to be that way for everybody, you know. It should it should be that way if they want to talk about it. Some kids and parents are just I've had a long day. I don't want to answer questions from a kid, you know.

SPEAKER_01

I don't want to do this stuff. Oh yeah. And and you know, like, you know, we have I I think the other part too, I know I keep saying the other part. There, there's a lot of layers to this. It's an onion. But the yeah, no, yeah, yeah, perfect, yeah, perfect example. But, you know, for a lot of the families that, like you said, like yourself that move, they don't have a support system, right? Yeah, and um, you know, we have actually like we have one gentleman today who's kind of going through some major challenges. And uh, you know, his uh his son comes and you know, like his son, unfortunately, like is not able to, you know, attend school. He's just having some challenges, and we'll leave it at that. But you know, they might walk in and they're not so happy, but when they leave, they are. And you know, it's just seeing that transition, like, is is I mean, that's what makes it so fruitful to me, you know, and and and knowing that like hopefully we can get the word out to other families that are out there that hey, like we get it, and we want to welcome you here and we want to try to help in any way possible, you know.

SPEAKER_02

You again, you like I said, you do it when you when you walk in and uh it it shows. And again, that that makes us come back because it's when we come back here, we're thinking, like, good, we could just relax and we can come here and and the kids can play. And you know, my son loves every little bit about this place. And then me, my oldest son, he when he's like, We're going, we're taking Carson today. Well, we're gonna take Carson. Is it good with the zip line? Because we'll go to the place with the zipline, but I'm not going the other place. It's like a negotiation, you know. Um, so that's and that's the battle. But again, you guys are doing it great. So again, Krista, great job. Great job to you, and and I'm really happy that you guys have this spot and you know me and this here. But um, tell me more about Joaquin. So I the funniest thing that she he did so far is when you pulled out that bowl of water, I was like, that's literally Carson at home. It's like we have to get a bottle bottle uh a bowl of water, and then he likes to transfer the water with the soap. It has to be with the soap, and then he'll he'll he'll point at you because my son's non-verbal, so he'll just go, uh-uh, and he wants the soap in the thing, and then he has to mix it up and then move it to another spot. So I walking just sat right there perfectly, was playing with just I was like, gosh, I didn't you need to show Carson how to do that. That's incredible. It's just yeah, for sure. No splash zone, it was great.

SPEAKER_00

I know, yeah. Yeah, we have this cool cool little cubes um that we just opened up too. So they like not sponsored, no, no, no, no, no. Not yet. Yeah, not yet. Um, yeah, Joaquin has always been into water, which I think that a lot of individuals on the spectrum are like they have that fascination with water. Um, so yeah, one of the things that Joaquin also does in like the bathtub is um he he's like in the pools too. Like he's he's a little obsessed with trying to learn how to go underwater. And we've we have not done any like swim lessons professionally, not yet.

SPEAKER_02

Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I think this summer we yeah, we need to do that. But yeah, he will try even in the bathtub, just to lightly stick his face in the water. That's great. Yeah, not scared of it, at least. No, yeah, and he does it safely.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. There's like when Joaquin, he's just a go-getter, Phil. Yeah. Like, if you tell him that he can't do something, like it just it fuels him. He's like, Oh, really? Yeah, you know, what yeah, so like his his his his grit is 110 all the time. That's what stuff, you know. And that's how he's really persevered, Phil. Like to talk about him some more, right? You know, we did ABA um for about a year and a half, right? About a year and a half. And you know, when he went in, it he was you know, I mean he had some skills, but like practical skills was still needing a lot to learn, right? Was not potty trained. And we know ABA is another uh another topic of like that's sensitive, right? And it's really about like, you know, for us it was very hard because some places are very much, you know, how can I fix your child? And we were like, we don't want you to fix our child, you know, and we were very fortunate to have found a center that was very organic and kind of met us where we were and worked with us. And uh yeah, I mean, and Joaquin went there and he he did well. He m you know, he was mastering all his goals and he got bored. He he he craved academia, he wanted to learn. Yeah, yeah. Uh he's um would be considered hyperlexic, uh too. So he's got like an infatuation with numbers and letters. So he like his jam is to come to a hundred, a hundred times, you know. And the same thing with with ABCs, right? And for a while, like that's what he would like, we'd put on videos, that's what he wanted, or he just wanted to just write ABCs. And so um we made the decision to put him in school, and um, we put him in a SPED program, and he's been doing great. I mean, he learned to read, he he's potty trained, not a hundred percent with the the you know, dookies, but yeah, not there yet. Yeah, no, but we're working towards, but you know, but it's you know, those are like the big wins that seem minute to other families, but to be able to have him do that like was huge for us, yeah, you know, and so uh but he's very smart.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, I'll say um when we put him into school, I uh I I've read read to the kids since they were babies, you know, every night for bedtime we read a book. And his teacher was starting to send home books and said, you know, he needs to keep a reading log, just like any other kid would at his age. And so we're like, okay. And I would I would read the book for him every night, log it for him. And one day she asked me, she said, Hey, um, did he read the book for you last night? And I said, Oh yeah, I read it, I read it to him. I I usually read the books to him every night. And she goes, You know he can read. And I was like, What? Plan you're for a fool. Yeah, and I was like, Wait, wait, what do you mean? What do you mean? It was like that meme. What do you mean?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah. And then we we were like in denial, like, you mean he's m he memorized it, and she's like, No, he can read. And sure enough, like we went home and we asked him, we opened it, opened up the book, and dude ran with it.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, and then we we we tried it out with other books. I'm like, okay, did you memorize that one? Yeah, I was like, uh and he would grab like other books and he's like, he's reading.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I was.

SPEAKER_00

I mean we're like, what?

SPEAKER_01

But that's like those are the surprises that come with this journey, right? Yeah, and I'm I mean, I'm sure it's gonna happen with you too, Phil, right? You know, I'm sure you've had those kind of surprises as well.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, really you have. Uh, there's been amazing things with Carson that we've had, um, because the the beginning part of his autism story, which I I know I already told the story, but it was more or less like he was kind of in a shell of himself, and he wasn't, it was like he was lost in a world that like I wasn't a part of, if that's the best way I can describe it. And like he would like, I mean it's like you'd call his name and he wouldn't respond, and he's just like stare at the the ground and play with dirt, and then it wouldn't be you could be like there could be a fire around him and it wouldn't matter because it's just he's lost. And I that's the part that of autism that I don't I don't understand. I don't understand because you know, like is it is it pain, is it is it sensory, is it his mind just is it aprexia where his mind and body are on two different things? We don't know that yet, but we found a therapy that really kind of changed him, and I talked about that as well, that Mirth therapy that really opened him up, and then that seemed like day one, it just seemed like it woke him up, and then he was himself, like he has personality and he remembers games and stuff now, like when like my when my mother-in-law and my father-in-law come in the house, and they're he remembers the same game he played with them four or five months ago when they come to town. That's awesome. It's great, and it's like that that's that that's all you want for your kid is to thrive and and to have memories for himself, and and then it's like he has certain per critique uh certain things that he does every day and every night, and it's great. I mean, and he's he's just he's just a kid now, in a sense, not that he wasn't a kid before, but you know what I mean? It's like he's actually his uh his personality is really showing now, and it's exactly that.

SPEAKER_01

So and did you say so he's still it's still non-verbal now? Still non-verbal now, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Still non-verbal. Uh he's in full-time ABA. Uh, we've been doing that, but he's he's making progress now. So it's it's been it's been just a good change for us, but uh in coming here and then finding things out and new things, and every weekend, that's why I'm always seen running about because I every weekend I'm like, nope, we're gonna leave the house and do something new today. And yeah, I don't care if it's embarrassing or not embarrassing, but like we go, we found like there's like a there was a whole like thing in the park with like this giant inflatable obstacle course. I'm like Well, if we're gonna sign up, I don't care if we're out of shape, we're gonna go through it. And he ran through it three or four times, and we did it once. I'm like, I'm never doing that again.

SPEAKER_03

It's just not for me.

SPEAKER_02

Uh, but we just again just to try different things, and then we come in a place like this where it's just it's we can just go, oh, now we can now we can kind of take a deep breath and relax. Yeah, no doubt, man.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, that that was the big thing for me, is so like we um like we dig the the all abilities park in Round Rock.

SPEAKER_02

Love it, that's a great place.

SPEAKER_01

Um, but it's just it's hot in Texas, man. So like and it's always so full.

SPEAKER_02

Like it's so many people, it's like, yeah, everyone's enjoying it. I'm like, this is a great place, but like I yeah, I wish it was just like twenty. We went there one time at night and there was like nobody there. I'm like, I need to come here like 839, you know. That's like the hour to go.

SPEAKER_01

So that's one thing, like, yeah, like we we try like that we're really like, hey, like we have AC. Like you can sit down and breathe, you know, for a minute, you know. So with Carson, um, have you all explored like uh AAC devices? That's what he's using now. Is he using that?

SPEAKER_02

Okay before we left California, that was what would made us choose, is because we were going to school full-time and it was a mess. And then so we literally I went around the table at his last IEP meeting and I was like, Can you communicate, Carson? Can you communicate with Carson? They all said no. I said, Then this is all a waste of time.

SPEAKER_01

I was just about to ask you what your opinion was about using that as a whole.

SPEAKER_02

I was just talking to my wife about this. I said, I want to switch him to a letterboard. I really think that we need to start learning and just just diving right into it. And because, like you just said, until you until just learning how Joaquin can read, like what if Carson has a whole thing? Like he knows his AC AAC device, he knows what to ask for, he's putting phrases together and stuff, he understands it way better. I'm thinking, you know, what what just pushing a button? I'd rather see more where he can really tell me what he feels, like, dad, stop talking, or dad, I want this, or you know, we have our opinions about it because we've talked about it, and I think one of our fears with using the device is that um he'll regress that he won't want to be pushed to talk.

SPEAKER_01

100%, you know, like and that's because well, some there's times where I'm like, well, what if let's just like let's just get this app, let's try it. But then it's like, man, like I just he's worked so hard to get to where he is. Yeah, I don't want him to just be like, I can do this and it talks for me.

SPEAKER_02

But but what he can read, but so his his language is is very limited, you said, or is it like so he he scripts, like he's a scriptor.

SPEAKER_01

So there's um have you heard of Gestalt language processing? I have not. So I'll let I'll turn it over to my wife.

SPEAKER_00

I'll let her give the definition of this. Yeah. Oh my gosh, I'm gonna mess it up now. Don't worry about it.

SPEAKER_02

I mess up, I mispronounce things all the time. No, I can do it.

SPEAKER_01

I'll probably butcher it though.

SPEAKER_00

But well, I mean I can start, I guess, and you can just help. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Tag team, they like it. Well, because no, because I I I because she Krista actually is the one who like kind of pinpointed this, and I I didn't know.

SPEAKER_00

And then as I started diving into, I was like, she's yeah, so let me kind of back back up a little bit too. When when he talks about like I dove into this, so like let me just kind of like also say that like disclaimer, yeah. Well, well, so when Joaquin was getting diagnosed, and they're like, you know, I think it was actually a family member who was like, I think he might be, you know, autistic or something. And I was like, what does that mean?

SPEAKER_02

Like, we we didn't know either, yeah.

SPEAKER_00

And so like I really did dive into what is autism and what's going on and all these different and there's so much like that goes into that, and um I just wanted to learn everything so that I can know how to help him, right? The best way that I can. Um, so that's always been our goal, just just to be like the best version of Joaquin for him, whatever that looks like. And so yeah, like every little thing about him, like I just was like, okay, he's doing this. What does this mean? And and he, yes, would always script. He would script from watching YouTube videos or a movie or a song, and he would learn these long phrases, and so I think gestalt language processors, the way that they learn language is in these big chunks of like scripts, and then they kind of put it into play when it comes to like real things in real life, instead of learning, like you know, like when they're a baby, it's like, oh, you know, ball or cup or water, and you learn those one words, and then you go up to the two two-word sentences, three words, and so forth, and they develop language typical kids can it's done incrementally, like most kids.

SPEAKER_02

So was it done like on a device? Like where they let they'll use phrases from like TV shows and stuff like that, correct.

SPEAKER_01

Like like with her, like with Joaquin, YouTube was just one of those things where he would watch a video or you know, a movie, and he like he can't tell us, I'm hungry, dad, please feed me. But he could sing frozen, like, do you want to build a snowman? Yeah, as an example, you know.

SPEAKER_02

Can I just tell you guys how much you're blowing my mind right now? Because I I this has been the last two weeks. I'm not kidding you. I was just arguing with Carson's speech teacher because I he watches two shows, but he talks to his Kindle. He likes he'll say, like, let's ride in the car. Like those songs are like, Hi grandma, hi, like he'll he'll but he that's what he says when grandma's there. And so he he scripts, which I again I'm learning all that stuff what it is too. So I just told my speech teacher, I said, Why can't we put the shows on his app so he can get you could better use it so he we can I want to know that's what he's actually asking for. Then we move it to like the the certain part where we're we're trying to get him to learn it, and then we remove the cartoon. And I she just told me, like, why would you want to do that? Like that. Like she was just telling me like I was crazy. And I was saying in my head, I'm like, that just seems so logical to me. And I and then this is just this week. Like, I just got the thing. She's like, I don't feel comfortable doing it. I didn't know about this whole thing now.

SPEAKER_00

So now I'm gonna go back to her and say, guess what?

SPEAKER_02

I just learned language process. Gestalt Gestalt, write this down. Hold on. Gestalt. That's so wild that this just came up out of nowhere, and this just happened this week.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, yeah, I know, right? So also, though, I'll tell you, when you bring it up to her, she might say, Oh, yeah, I've heard of that, but I don't do that. Most speech therapists will not like because it's almost like a kind of a new concept.

SPEAKER_02

I almost want to show you guys the email of like how like she's what would this, why would this want to do this? I gave her like a three-point system of why I wanted to do it. Yeah, and just how you just described it, it is so weird. I've never heard of it, and that's yeah, god, my internet. I'm feeling pretty good about myself.

SPEAKER_01

I mean, listen, brother, like I will say this like they are professionals, man. Sure, but like you know your kid the best, 100%. And so, like, you know, we've learned to navigate and make mistakes. You're going to, but the biggest thing is like um it's having grace with yourself, like your wife, each other, having grace, knowing that if it's in the heart and it's for the right intention and you make a mistake, like it's okay.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, thank you.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and then and and that's a big thing. A lot of I think I mean, we struggle with it too. Like, I mean, that's just it's a real thing, but you know, our our faith is very central in our in our life, you know, and um it's just yeah, just but no, but honestly, um being able to give yourself the grace um and understanding that we are not perfect and that we're gonna make mistakes is crucial because um it can eat you and it can really bury you down if you let it.

SPEAKER_02

Thank you for saying that. And I I know it did for me for a long time, and even it's it's daily because it's daily, like you know, maybe you picked the wrong dinner, or maybe you picked the wrong uh day that you sent him to school and he shouldn't have gone to school, or maybe it's it's you know, you put on the wrong shirt because he's itchy and then he doesn't take his shirt off all day and you don't know why, or he's having a meltdown because of that. It's every little decision can react to seven different things, and you're absolutely right. And it's I always tell my wife, I said, it's you gotta stop blaming yourself for simple things. It's it's gonna you're as a parent, you make a mistake, and as a special needs parent, it's it's ten times, you know, because you make again like any little thing can be a distraction. So it's great thank you saying that because it's that's exactly what it is. And I'm sure every day is every day can be uh two two steps back, but three steps forward, or vice versa. And every week's never the same. And absolutely it's a battle, but uh no, so with the back with the with the with the this gestalt uh gestalt scripting, did you guys so does he use it now?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, he's I mean he's still very much. I mean, yeah we think Joaquin should be an actor. I like it. Uh I mean it's just uh he's very uh in tune and he acts like he he he really memorizes things really well and he'll act it out and he'll sing it and he I mean he knows it to the T. Like if there's a knock, he's very much catches every little nuance to it. Yeah. Funny thing, I'm I'm I'm curious if you or your wife went through this process. I just like as a slight tangent, but when we were going through the process with our kids and you read all the questions, I was like, wait a second, listen, I do this, wait, wait, I do this too. And it like, no, didn't happen.

SPEAKER_02

No, no, they they did that she was like, Yeah, you do this, you do this, it was always that. And then it's like some of the questions you're like, Well, yeah, like and you answer the same questions over and over again. Like, I've done this survey, that survey, yeah. How many times have you been on that survey probably by now? Like it's at least 15 times.

SPEAKER_01

Well, I felt like I was like, I was like, wait a second.

SPEAKER_02

Maybe it's me.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, well, I I I mean, I will go on the record here and say that like I I have not been diagnosed, but I strongly feel like I am.

SPEAKER_02

My wife feels the same way about her.

SPEAKER_01

Um, there's just like I can do this and talk, but this has taken like a lot of, in my opinion, work with you're doing so great with like friends and yeah and encouragement and really like facing like like like walking in. I I do have a lot of grit. Yeah. Like I'm just like, let's do it. Um, but bam, like when I'm tired when I go home, sometimes Krista's like, how was your day? And I'm like, I'm just so drained because you know, I do I do this, and I and I really enjoy the social aspect of it. I enjoy it, which people will be like, well, then you're definitely not autistic because you like doing that.

SPEAKER_02

But sometimes you don't, though, right? And sometimes it's like you don't you don't want to show that side of you. And I'm I'm the same way, like you don't want to open up or do that. Even like today, it was like a long day at work, and I'm like, uh, this, but I'm like, you know what? Again, if I hadn't done this, I wouldn't be learning more about stuff that's been going on with me. Like, that's the whole reason why I wanted to do this podcast was talk and learn things about each other that I don't feel like I can. I I've done internet searches, I've never heard of that before. It's I don't so I must be searching the wrong thing. I gotta stop searching sports stuff and start looking at some real stuff, you know.

SPEAKER_01

No, and you know what, man? It's it's a process, Phil, right? Because I mean, we immersed ourselves, and at some point we're just kind of like, dude, that's all it is, you know. So it's I think it's healthy to have uh things that you love too, you know.

SPEAKER_02

Well you do, and and it's always stuff that you want to involve involve your son in. Like my oldest son, him and I do everything together. Yeah, and then there's always that guilt of me, like, I don't get to do half that stuff with Carson. And it's like, what do I find that that he likes to do that we both can do? And then I have just complete guilt about that all the time of like, no one and I go to concerts, and no one and I we go to sports games and stuff like that. And Carson's just not into that because, and then sometimes, well, what if he is into it? I'm not asking if he's into it. Yeah, you know, like it's it's I try and take him wherever we can go, but it's like every time we go someplace, it's like, okay, well, my wife's over there with him, and then I'm with the older son throwing the football.

SPEAKER_01

And then I try and like switch it around, and then he gravitates back to mom, and then it's like maybe, maybe, maybe start small, maybe just start it at home, man. Like, like we we do a lot of movie nights. Cecilia like has and Krista have really instilled, like we do Friday night movie nights. Yeah, like we've we've been so we've been so busy trying to get this going, right? That like our time is really doing what we need to do, and like we're always together, but like you know, CeC will just be like, Can we have movie night? And it's like, yeah, but like Joaquin will sit there with us too, and like it's just small steps, right, to be inclusive like that, you know. Or even if it's just like doing a puzzle and it's like hey, Joaquin, like your turn, right? Like, I think taking those incremental steps build on things, right? So that's just thank you. That's a good idea, you know. Like, um even if he's not fully participating, I think just uh taking the step to do it and you know, give him hey Carson, it's your turn. Yeah, and maybe he doesn't, maybe he doesn't try it again next time, you know. And uh it's just it's all about building.

SPEAKER_02

It is, you know, in my in my opinion. You're doing a great job with it. It seems like you know, you your daughter is so great with Joaquin, by the way. Uh it was just sitting here how how nice and you know, she's always talking to him, like, oh we can't do that, but then like redirecting in certain things, and I was like, I was like, gosh, the older kids are just so much so good with with special needs. I mean, I see it all the time of like how how much how many how big angels they are of just like they're so good with their with their siblings. It's amazing.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so Cecilia is is our our nine-year-old. And um, she I I talked I kind of touched on this on uh siblings day, right, when we talked about that uh online. And like she is kind of like that unseen hero. Yeah, like she does a lot behind the scenes, uh more than people know, with her brother, and you know, she is like the sweetest little girl, you know, such a great heart. And uh I think sometimes we like she's also on the spectrum, but because she's high functioning, sometimes I think we forget like because walking requires so much attention that C C has needs her attention too, and you know, we have to like constantly remind ourselves like she has her challenges, but she's just always so graceful when it comes to like when we're doing that, you know, and uh we're having to navigate through that. But now we're she's gonna be 10 this year, and so we're like uh my oldest just turned 10 uh this week.

SPEAKER_02

So yeah, same thing. It's just it's a 10-year-old in the house, is wild. I don't know. This is uh different story on here.

SPEAKER_01

You know, I'm I'm not ready for uh a teenage daughter.

SPEAKER_03

Let's just say that, okay.

SPEAKER_02

And you got middle school coming up and high school, and oh boy. Oh yeah, I don't know.

SPEAKER_01

So tell me more about you uh with your kiddos. So you uh, you know, how how how do you like how do you and your wife like manage the time between like is it like an like do you alternate with Carson and the other kids, or how how do you approach that?

SPEAKER_02

Well, I try and I try especially uh because Shannon Shannon likes to be a homebody, uh so that obviously I I try and push her to say, you know what? No, it's your day to take Nolan out, and you to go, you guys go do something, or like because he had again for some reason out here, they take Fridays after school, which is kind of crazy. But uh in our district, which I'd never heard of. Which district is this? Oh I'll tell you after this is over. It's crazy. All right, um, again, I never heard of it either, but uh it's yeah, and so those Fridays, because my wife says stay at home, she I'm like, go take Nolan and go do something, and they had to spend the whole day together. And then we try and do uh we try and do date nights at least like once a month, at least. Yeah, because it's in you just you need that parent time of just ourselves of going out laughing, doing stupid stuff, you know, and it's it's it's so important. We need that.

SPEAKER_01

We're like we're we're long overdue for a date.

SPEAKER_02

It's it's so important. I mean, we try and go to concerts a lot and do listen to music or go places, but then there is that time I'm like, we should bring Nolan, and then we should bring Nolan, and then it's the three of us, and then I then that guilt comes out of nowhere of like, oh, but so um with her her being homebody and me saying you need to go out and do it, she does it for the most part. Like, there's and the school's pretty cool about like they have like mom and son dances and stuff like that, or like go places, so they they try and get active in that. Uh Nolan plays a lot of sports though, so he's a football star, he's a bit baseball star. Uh he's winning championships about the night. The kids way better athlete than I'll ever be in my life. So uh was in my life, excuse me. Uh so the sports thing is the biggest thing where I think there's a disconnect because like he does sports like Monday through Friday, and then that's I coach his football, but I I help I just watch his baseball, but I try and take him to games, or we try and all go together, and then that's like an obstacle of like, okay, well, we're gonna bring Carson or you watch this game or I watch this game, or I try and take Carson out, you know, so that she can get Nolan ready for the game and like you know, get him hyped up, listen to music, do that stuff, and then I can take Carson to the house and I meet him at the ball game, and then dad watches from there. So it's a back and forth, but it's never it's never it's never perfect. And um, sometimes I think she's more comfortable, like just kind of we sitting back and watching and cheering from the stance and doing this with Carson versus me, like up at there yelling him that he's swinging wrong and stuff.

SPEAKER_03

So uh it's how it goes, right?

SPEAKER_02

I don't know. So I and I and I I we always talk about that as like you know, hey, like I didn't get enough time with no one like this week or this stuff, and like if there's concerts I come to town, I try and send them versus me and no one going. But whenever me and no one go, like he crowd surfs, he's like on stage with the band, and like we always something always happens when him and I go. So I'm like, you're ruining the magic of us going. So if you go, you're gonna it's not gonna be the same. So just so you know, but then I but again they try they go to movies together all the time and stuff like that, and that's important. And then Shannon and Carson the same way, like but he likes driving in the car and going to parks, and he's very comfortable with mom. With dad, it's more like it has to be more regular, like I have to make sure he's doing this, and um he follows the rules easier with dad than he does with mom. So maybe he likes mom better than um, it's usually the case, man. So you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, the mama's boy.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah. He's always like that. So I I don't know, but uh yeah.

SPEAKER_01

We um so Joaquin has always been kind of independent, but we um we enrolled him in um the what is it called? Um Miracle League.

SPEAKER_02

Oh my god, I almost signed up for that this year.

SPEAKER_00

You sh I almost did it I was just yeah, we missed it. We missed it this year.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, well, because we've been but we were busy and we were we were very unsure, but he loved it. And was it good? So it was fun. It's good. It's it's it's very yeah, I like it's it's a small game, it's like three innings. Sure. They they do they each do an inning, they have uh the they do a stretch before the third where they do they sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game. They got the I mean it's it's really beautiful, man. But most of all, it's uh it's very like free, free flow, like you know, there's no major rules and this and that, and they let the like the kids be comfortable.

SPEAKER_02

You hear that, Shannon? See, I told you we should have signed them up for it. Shannon, high Shannon. Highly recommend it.

SPEAKER_01

Shannon, check it out. It's uh all of the coaches are very patient and nice. Um, when Joaquin did it, he was kind of a little like reluctant at first.

SPEAKER_02

Were one of you out there with them? Is that how it works, or is it like a different person?

SPEAKER_01

It was a buddy. So the way that it works is if you get there early enough, they have volunteers like from the local high schools that come out and they serve as buddies for the kids. And so they're kind of like their their supervisor or mentor, if you will, right? And so they go out there and kind of help them. But if they're shorthanded, you know, or if the child feels more comfortable with a parent, they'll permit that, right? And so, but yeah, I mean, and uh, you know, like I said, they go through the whole process and like at first, like Joaquin was very like shy and didn't want to do it, but like the second time, the second season, right? Oh, yeah, like he was like telling us baseball, baseball. He loved it. No way, he loved it, and uh, you know, so I would I would say like if you're trying to explore, they're they're very flexible. Um, no one is you know, Joaquin will go up to the pitcher and take the ball out of his hand as an example, right? Yeah, it's my turn to pitch. Let's go. I can do this. But there's no like there's no judgment, they're not like, hey, like, no, you know, like if anything, like we're like, you can't do that. Yeah, you're gonna be able to do that. The coach is like, it's cool, don't worry about it. And they gave him a ball, you know. So, you know, it's you know I don't we we recommend it.

SPEAKER_00

Um the last season that we played, um, Joaquin started to when it was his turn to bat, he'd go up there to bat and he'd hit the ball, and then he'd run after his own ball. Oh, yeah. And then he'd take the ball with him to each of yeah.

SPEAKER_02

He can't get out that way. It's kind of smart if you think about it. I don't know. I like it.

SPEAKER_01

He's got the right strategy.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I mean no, hey, I don't see any of the MLB do anything that it's the way to do it. Yeah, beat the system.

SPEAKER_01

So anyway, but it was it was a good way for us to kind of kind of break, kind of push him a little bit, right? You know, to be out and about versus like his kind of like ritual of wanting to, you know, either like just use the tablet. And you know, we uh I will say that we are sometimes guilty of letting him use his devices a little bit, but yeah, same with Marisard. But we're also we also believe too that like he he is learning from it, you know, and he's talking through it. He's talking through it, and you know, that's that you know, that's the kind of the balance is you know, if he was watching like kind of like just trash videos about nothing, then it's like okay, they all do, yeah, and it's trying to take a break, you know. So, but but anyway, but no, it it was it was really good. So I I definitely say check it out, you know. Um if it if it doesn't work, hey, whatever. But like they're really like nice, really great people.

SPEAKER_02

I I think it's great. I I when I when I found it, I was like, I was just because I was I think I was signing up Nolan for baseball at the time, and I was like, I need to get Carson into something, like some kind of active because they said like Special Olympics. I'm like, well, he lopes, but there's no like there's no sport for that besides running, and then he's like, Can you get him to run in a certain direction? I don't know how that all works out either. But when I found that Miracle League, I was like, this is great. And I was I thought it was too good to be true. That's why I was like, I'm like, well, what so who goes out there? Then we were thinking, like, do we go out there? Like, I'm like, I would be loved to be a part of it, but I but it'd be so much better if it wasn't me. I'd rather be able to just enjoy it and watch him do it. Cause maybe he'd feel important about being out there.

SPEAKER_01

And it's a mix, Phil, right? Like, you know, like there were days when Joaquin was feeling good and he was cool. I mean, he'd go out there with one of the mentors and he would do his thing. And they guide they guide them all. Like, yeah. And it's not just, I mean, there's children's that are on wheelchairs that participate. And it's it's it's really like just a positive experience. Just beautiful, beautiful experience, man.

SPEAKER_00

Um and uh also the the you know the volunteers, even though they're high school students, they have a lot of understanding with the kids. So because I remember the first time we went, I was all like nervous, like mom, right? And I'm like um sometimes like he runs off, sometimes he he does a lope, like just don't let him go to the fence.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, keep him with that.

SPEAKER_00

We're good, we're good.

SPEAKER_02

We got him.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, and like they did. They just, you know, they're young, so they can keep up with them.

SPEAKER_02

Some kids just have it in their heart, they they just and especially that's so cool that they volunteer like that. Because especially in high school, and for them to stop and go, you know what, I want to go volunteer my time and teach kids baseball and stuff like that. That's yeah, that's what it's all about. I we need more kids like that, and I think there's a lot of them out there that really really do. That's what that the whole inclusive thing we were talking about, is like it's really it's more out there than we know. And when we don't talk about it or we it's just we kind of live in our own bubbles, it it it feels like you're all alone in this, and that's what I want to tell you guys is that's not the case. And you guys, again, just how you every time you come in here and there's always your house so warm, that's exactly what shows it and gets more people to do it. So you guys, kudos to both of you again. It's it's incredible that you guys do that. So I love learning more about that that the Miracle League and speech stuff, and um yeah, we um, you know, it's it's it's all been really just a learning process.

SPEAKER_01

Like we're it I call it like our our living document, yeah. Because um what the answers are today or things that come out today is different in a year. Yeah, it's just a constant iterative and like dynamic topic that is ever changing. Our kids are the same way, you know, where we progress in some areas, we regress in some areas too, and it's just like it's just a constant, like you know, assessing and pivoting and and reassessing again, and and that's okay. It's okay, right? You know, it's okay, but you know, um with re-rock though, I think you know, having the the parents here and seeing them interact, I think like I feel like sometimes they get surprised, right? What's what what some of the kids do. They're just like, I've never seen him go on the zip slide like that.

SPEAKER_02

The zip line, especially, like Carson's never done that before. Now he like he'll he'll do it to the to the T of like going there and then dropping on the on the mat. And before it was like he's going the wrong way to slide, and then we're trying to please him with that. And then, like, but again, you're right. It just it brings out abilities you don't know sometimes your kid has when you have the freedom to go, let him be a kid, let him let him try things and make mistakes and do stuff that like you know that they go places and they kind of get the whistle blown out of them or something like that, you know. Because like Carson's big thing is the Kalahari park out there. That's his oh yeah, I mean that but that's so regulating for him. And then, like, when after like a while now, now he's got it down to a science of what he can and can't do. It's but before it was like going up the wrong side the wrong way and this and that. Yeah, but then here it's like he's so it it's regulating for him too because he can just he doesn't have to think and he can just do the stuff that he knows he can do. Like he was here last time, he was jumping on his back on the trampoline and he's never done that. Yeah, he's we were talking, we were laughing about that, going, Why are you doing that? And he put his head to the cage and I'd push his nose and he just falls back. And it was like he's never done that before, but it's finding new things every day, like you said. It's incredible.

SPEAKER_01

And that's and that's the thing, right? Um, just to talk like what we were like that's kind of like the what the special sauce is for Phil, like is we call it um, so it's play with the purpose. You know, to the child, they're just they're just having a blast or having fun. Um, but you know, they're exercising all of the senses when they're when they're at you know, doing everything, whether it's in the imagination station, with sight, you know, uh vestibular proprioception, you know, with on the swings, or even just like, you know, playing with the we have like little instruments there, like all that stuff, you know, they're just having fun. But you know, all of that is so like pivotal and great, you know, to to the children, you know, and we see kids all the time that come in and they're all riled up and they're leaving and they're just they're they're cool, obviously. You know, they don't actually a lot of times they cry. They don't want to go. They don't want to go, but but they're having a good time. And so, like to me, like if a I know that sounds kind of bad to say, but as a as a business owner, like if kids are crying because they don't want to leave, that's saying that we're doing a good job, but you know they're having fun. So, you know, for all the parents out there, like we know, we don't want your children. No, no, we don't want kids cry, but we're happy that the kids are having a good time.

SPEAKER_02

No, it just yeah, it means it means that they're they're leaving a place that they want to be here, and you could use it as a reward incense of coming back anytime to do it. And that's incredible. Yeah, you're right. I think it happened when we were here. There was a kid just crying before we left, and I was like, another satisfied customer.

SPEAKER_01

And another thing too, like we've we've really um we've also found too that uh, you know, we've we're we're we're also trying to see where we can help our older, you know, young adults that are um on the spectrum, you know, in Texas, you know, eight or is it like this in all states, but when you hit 18, I know in most states it's just kind of like they just cut it off. Good luck, yeah. Yeah, on your own. And um I don't know where I read this or I saw it, but it was it really hit me, but it's so true. But it's like you know, you you grow out of um clothes, you grow out of certain habits that you do, um, but you don't grow out of autism.

SPEAKER_03

Right.

SPEAKER_01

And it's so like weird that you know, they cut this off at 18. Like it's gonna like like you're growing, you're gonna grow out of it. And so I hope that as we continue to evolve here and we rock that, you know, like while we we we cater kind of more to our younger, like you know, before 18, you know, but we are still trying to help. We do have actually one customer who uh has a a son that's 18, uh, and he comes into the space and it it helps him, you know.

SPEAKER_00

And yeah, he's he's non-verbal, but he she said that you know, he asked for kids' gym specifically.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. It's again, it's a it's a it's a safe place, and that's that's obviously one of my biggest fears before because when when we before we left California, Carson was very aggressive, and we my biggest fear was having to put him in like a center, which I I mean that would over my dead body that would happen. But I mean that was like that was something that we were talking about because we didn't know what to do. Yeah, and then when you turn 18 and over that age, and then it comes to the point where like safe, I go before my wife or before before my son, even which again, you never you of course you want to be buried first before that happens. But what happens to him? And then what happens because will anyone care enough about him to know? Biggest question, right? And then how how will how will he be treated? Because he's been so cared and loved his whole life, and then he goes somewhere else where he doesn't know, and then the regression starts, and he's at 2028, and he doesn't know what to do. And yeah, I you're right. We have to find more needs and and more more ideas for this because they shouldn't just be left alone because they're 18. You wouldn't do that to a paralyzed person or anything like that, just because they're autistic and we we don't understand it, we just treat it like it's a it's almost like an identity now these days, which drives me crazy. But it's like no, I I I want my son to live a full, happy, healthy life, just like you said. That's my as a as a father, as as as a as a wife, that's all you want. And then you don't want it to be where you're you're so worried about what is his future looking like because just because you accept them, somebody else won't. And that's it's it's scary.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I think uh, but having these types of conversations, bringing it to the attention, right, of people. And like you said, you know, if someone was paralyzed and they're disabled, like being on the spectrum is a disability. It's a disability, 100% it is and it's like, you know, but it's it's just it's I it's almost kind of like um I know this is not the same, but like kind of um with like racism, right? Like it's like you're aware of it, yeah, but like what are we doing to stop it? What are we yeah? And it's the same thing like with you know, like we're aware of autistic, but are we accepting and what are we doing to like help?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and then I get my my my algorithm right now is just these people that like just getting the worst of the worst people of like your kid just needs to be do this, and your kid. And I'm just like, I I don't want to block people, but I'm telling you, and I'm I'm not gonna have an online conversation or of like a fight back and forth on, but I'm just like, this is this is wild of where we are, like everyone wants to point fingers about it's parenting. It's this it's not has nothing to do with that. It's like the we're looking, we're all looking for help and answers, and there's no again. We you go and just like you told me about your diagnosis, the same thing. We had the same thing. We didn't know anything about autism, and you're finding out as you go along, and there's no doctor to say, hey, this would help you tremendously, and you should start this speech right now, and you should you should look into these therapies, and you should do all the everything we found has been a guessing game. Medication, too. Everything we've we've failed at medication for years, we failed at this different therapy in schools for years, and until you do it and try it, you don't really know what it is. So there needs to be more answers, and no one really wants to talk about it because then it turns into a fight, and then all of a sudden it turns into politics, which is wild. I don't know why this has to be a political discussion. Like, why can't we just have answers and people looking into this so we can really figure this out? I mean, you know, again, when you see like a teenager like a person who's like doing like a podcast, and I'm autistic, and you know, but everything's like, you know, and then like but then you see severe autism, and it's like to me, it's it's that's why it's called the spectrum. And I wish there was just different answers and help for everybody, and I wish we could all talk about it and and and come together and say, you know what? Yeah, everyone can be different, but like there's people out there that are really suffering, and parents who don't know have answers, and parents who go to work 80 hours a week and they come home and they don't know their kid at all because they were in a center, and it's like you get an offensive play sheet for your kid. This is what your kid can do this week, and you're like, What do you mean my kid can do that? Because I don't see that at home because he comes home, he's been masking all day and you don't know what's going on.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, so it's you nailed it, man. Yeah, it's you nailed it, brother.

SPEAKER_02

Like that's that we yeah, yeah, it's it's it's interesting to hear it from someone else, but yeah, brother, like doesn't it when you when you hear those points, like when you because you've already said that something I'm like, I'm like, I that's so incredible that you think you're the only one thinking these things, and it's like you want to scream at people just going like why can't we just like I can go places and just be happy? Like going to birthday parties and going anywhere is like always a struggle, and it's like we don't we want to be able to go and just just enjoy it for our oldest son and just for our family. Like you can go into family outings and stuff, it's like, well, who's gonna be there? How long is it gonna be there?

SPEAKER_01

And you know, it's interesting with um when you touch on family, right? Because so you know, growing up in a in a Hispanic household, yeah, you know, it's you you know, our generation, right? You know, is like I I feel like the baby boomer generation could is somewhat have like denial about it all in a lot of ways. Yeah, they do and and I don't think it's necessarily their fault, I think it's because of just what they were exposed to and what they know, right? And I I will say that I think even like our parents were very kind of reluctant at first, yeah. But like they've they've totally shifted their like outlook and understand because we've been so village vigilant to kind of help them, yeah, you know, and that like knowing that like the old school of like this is what you're gonna do, that you know, like uh I don't know, just brute force parenting just does not work, you know.

SPEAKER_02

They they think it's like a parenting thing and it's a disciplinary thing, right? Yeah, and then that's uh I came from the same thing. And there's I feel like the people of my family didn't really know my son was autistic. I mean, I literally just brought up this podcast just to say, like, I'm just letting anyone know that I'm doing this with my wife, just so we can kind of like talk about it more and be and then it was it was great to see the reaction because people I feel like didn't even know Carson was autistic because they didn't really they just follow like Instagram stories and stuff, but like even the immediate family, the same thing. It's like you feel it's not that it's like I think I'm pretty disciplined with my kids, and I know when between right and wrong and when I should be doing something and when I shouldn't be. It's not that, it's just there's something else going on that we all didn't get and we all don't know, and I wish we had answers for it's yeah, you're absolutely right, absolutely right.

SPEAKER_01

I think this is uh this is like so awesome that you're doing this, Phil. I think like uh it takes guts to uh uh this is a very vulnerable thing to do. 100%. And um to be able to share this, like and um you know, even give us, you know, we just met, but to give us the opportunity to share like our story is like um like it's really amazing. And like I see this as like also doing at the same level what we're doing.

SPEAKER_02

Um because I wish it was that level, but thank you.

SPEAKER_01

But no, but but it but it really is because um you know, like you are finding voices, like you know, along with Carson's, like yeah, the voices that you find are gonna be you're gonna spread that story, you're gonna share that, and yeah, that is like even if if you think it's minute, it's not.

SPEAKER_02

It means a lot. Thank you. No, and that's that that's incredible. But I meeting you, it just it's must be a grace, an act of God or something like that, of just finding people just like that, where I'm like, there's something about this guy that like I feel like we can talk about stuff, and then when I when you see us, and again, how warm you are, okay. I that's like five times now, but that's exactly what it comes down to. I don't know, and so thank you.

SPEAKER_01

People are gonna think we're hot, man. Like it's so warm our hot. It's hot in here. It's hot in here.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it's it's a great place, guys. I'm telling you. If you guys ever in North Austin, look, we rock the spectrum. It's it's a fantastic spot. Uh, I wish this was ten times bigger for you guys, and I I wish I wish nothing but uh success for you guys. Your family's amazing from what I've met of madam, and I we're gonna be here till this place closes down, which I hope never does, which it won't, it's not going to, because it's gonna be successful and everything else. But um, anything else that I did you guys want to cover? Anything else that you guys didn't talk about that I want to go over?

SPEAKER_01

Um, no, just you know, we are new. We opened up in February, so uh thank you for helping us spread the word, Phil. Sure. But just to kind of uh tap on what we provide as services. So we offer birthday parties, uh, we do sessions for open play, which are two-hour sessions. Um, we also have platinum memberships, which is essentially allows uh uh children that subscribe to it uh to have basically full access to our gym all day. Um, you know, if you want to come in, play for a little bit, leave for lunch, and come back. The platinum pass gives you that option to do that. So we offer uh we're doing more sensory classes. They're coming up. We actually have one coming up tomorrow.

SPEAKER_02

Um what are the sensory classes, if you don't mind me asking?

SPEAKER_01

Oh, like so, Krista, we've we've done, I don't know, like kind of like kind of like messy play. Got it. Okay, yeah, a lot of like sensory bin type stuff.

SPEAKER_00

Um yeah, like tomorrow I'm gonna have like a big sensory bin in here, and it's gonna be like dirt, and like we're gonna be like planting seeds for because it's springtime. Like and so yeah, it's gonna be a big mess in here. Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Just kind of exploring different avenues, man. We want to eventually bring um music. I love music, and so we want to try to do like kind of like a music therapy type class at some point very soon.

SPEAKER_02

I think walking would be good at drums, it's with the with the with accounting and stuff like that. You know what I mean? Like when you said that I was like, you said tool, I just I have to practicing the Fibonacci. Let's go, let's go, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, and then um, you know, we're also doing so we do field trips um as well for schools. Wow, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

We um they come here or do you guys take them places?

SPEAKER_01

Like no, they they come here, yeah. Way better. Yeah, we offer our space and with the field trips, we we offer like we were really trying to kind of educate teachers and also the kids, like, you know, while they're having fun, like you know, what the gym does and how it you know helps them regulate their sensory needs and so forth. So important.

SPEAKER_00

It also gives an opportunity to some of these life skill classes and special education classes where they don't get to maybe go with their class or they don't get to go anywhere for a field trip. Like this gives them an opportunity of to have a place to go. So we we actually had one this morning. Um well they postponed because of the it was flooding, but but yes, but we're gonna be rescheduling that come back. It was it was like a you know, it was a life skills class in in I don't want to say the district, but yeah, yeah, yeah. They um they uh yeah, they had like 25 kids in the class, and they just didn't really have the opportunity to go anywhere else.

SPEAKER_02

And that's great. Yeah, well, you guys are doing God's work. I really thank you. That just thank you for guys uh having this and thank you for your time and thank you for sharing your story. And uh you guys are always welcome back. If you guys know anybody else who wants to talk, or you guys want to come back and share more or talk more about this, please always welcome. You guys are all the ultimate guests. I just thank you for just doing this with us.

SPEAKER_01

I wanted to say one more note that uh a lot of our content uh we we update daily on our Facebook page. Fantastic, by the way. So if uh if you can check us out, like us, uh, or just go to uh we rock the spectrum northhaustin.com. Um we're constantly adding more events and keeping that up to date.

SPEAKER_02

So I'm gonna link it to the to the podcast. So guys, thank you. Thank you for your time. Thank you for doing this. It it really did mean the world um that you guys have just spent your time and talking and I knew the kids in the room and I love the Roomba going on and everything. It's been great. You guys did great.

SPEAKER_01

So thank you and Shannon for the opportunity.

SPEAKER_02

Thank you guys. Cheers.

SPEAKER_01

Thank you, cheers.