I have been getting so many messages about Stalen’s love for hockey and how going to games works for our family.
I know so many families like ours live in isolation and want to find something that the whole family can enjoy together.
Of course, every person with autism is different so just because Stalen loves it that doesn’t mean every autistic person will love hockey.
Last year my husband suggested that we attend a local hockey game with no expectations and Stalen was completely mesmerized by it. The big screen, the team skating on the ice, the team mascot, all the sponsor logos around the ice. He immediately fell in love with local hockey.
His favorite team, the Fredericton Red Wings have accepted and included Stalen just as he is. This has made him love hockey even more.
Here are some tips on how hockey has worked for us…..
-go to a game with no expectations, if it doesn’t work you can leave at anytime. If it is working you can stay for a period, leave on a positive note and stay longer at the next game.
Our goal is to one day take Stalen to a NHL game. If we had started with that kind of game with thousands upon thousands of fans and a huge venue our experience with hockey probably would be much different.
-choose seats that are easy to access. No one wants to be stuck in the middle of a long row. Stalen doesn’t like anyone sitting behind him and he likes to stand up so we choose seats that accommodate that for him.
-consider the noise. Bring noise cancelling headphones if your loved one will wear them.
-bring snacks, iPad, fidgets and other items that your loved one enjoys. Stalen loves to watch the game but also takes break from watching by perusing his iPad.
-a social story may help prepare for what to expect at a game.
-move between periods. Stalen likes to go for a walk between each period of play.
-Elopers should sit between two people. Stalen sits in the middle between me and Dee.
-You can get special glasses that reduce the glare from the ice.
-Visit and tour the venue before the game.
-Do what works for your family. We bring Stalen’s special needs stroller to games. It helps keep him safe. Sometimes he watches from his stroller, sometimes from the seats.
-Local hockey is a great place to start.
By supporting your community, you are increasing the likelihood of future positive interactions, participation and inclusion in your community.
-If your loved one is an AAC user, you can show them visuals depicting hockey vocabulary. Stalen’s favorite hockey word is “zamboni”. He can type and spell it.
-Bring AAC to hockey game and have hockey words and phrases ready to go.
-If hockey becomes a regular outing for your family you can use a visual calendar so everyone knows when the next game is.
-if hockey works for your family, season seats ensure consistency and that you get the same seat at every game. It works really well for us.
I think the real strategy is just to get out in the community and try new things…learn what works and what doesn’t.
Stalen feels amazing to be out in the community. People love to see him at games, so many smile and wave at him and just love to see him enjoying being there.
Over the years, we have had some really great outings and some really bad ones. If the bad ones caused us to stay home and never try again, then we never would have discovered that Stalen loves hockey and it brings him so much joy.
As a side note….if you are in the Capital Region we would LOVE to see you at a Fredericton Red Wings game‼️