We Can't Just FORCE Her To Do It

[@PegWinslow]

For me, as the caregiver, it's often hard for me to maintain my enthusiasm when I don't see even a spark of interest in an activity. It sometimes feels like my efforts aren't making any difference, which makes it tough to continue.

[@litsabryan6085]

My autistic son has no interest in any sports activity either. He would rather be by himself 95% of the time. He also isn't a dog person, and we have 4. Love watching your videos and have for years. You have helped me manage things with him. He is 25

[@denisegilbertson5555]

My autistic son turns 26 tomorrow and spends most of his time alone. He works overnight stocking shelves at the local grocery store, has for 7 years. When he comes home he goes to his room and plays Zelda games and spends time with his cat 🐈‍⬛. I hear him talking and laughing all the time. He is perfectly content. He is completely independent, except he doesn’t drive. He has tried and he does ok, but it really gives him major anxiety, so his older brother takes him to work.

[@litsabryan6085]

@denisegilbertson5555 My son took 4 years to drive. He has a job on dayshift. But the company picks him up and brings him home. When he gets home, he plays games or on his phone. He is very happy and content. I think driving gives him anxiety too, but my youngest doesn't drive, so finding this job helped me out a lot. We all work the same shift in different places. So his routine isn't thrown off to much.

[@tracyfinch918]

My daughter has autism and she will be 25 on Thanksgiving Day! I’m also autistic! ❤😊

[@debbiebousquet5677]

This nice to c that for some people that were told ur child can't do normal things or what is supposed to b labeled as normal. Do things in life like have a job an somewhat independent. Great jobs parents. Especially an autistic parent. ❤😂🎉

[@rachelpatterson1489]

I’m just trying my luck with

[@heatheramyprice]

for my almost 18 year old twins with autism it took years to figure out which exercise they could tolerate. For my daughter, she's high functioning enough for independence to walk a mile home from school. She hated the bus, lots of her friends walk, so as long as she promised not to grab a ride from a friend more than once a week (I can track her on the find my kid app) she's allowed to walk home. So she walks a mile 4-5 days a week. My son likes the gym and even in nice weather prefers the gym to walks outside--- why? because our gym has a tv at every treadmill. So he does the treadmill at the gym 4-5 times a week with one or both of us parents (we leave the other twin at home--- she HATES the gym!) EVERY now and then in SUPER nice weather we can convince him to walk outside with us--- we get some pushback but no screaming or aggression (about that) anymore, so we push a bit. By the end of the outdoor walk he admits he enjoyed it. And we parents need the fresh air.

[@tinamarie7777]

Asa’s look of satisfaction over being a better packer was priceless 😂🥰☀️

[@PamMoore-yx9qo]

My autistic grandson never sits down. He is moving all day long. He is so thin because he is always moving.

[@feliciahopemills2118]

I always keep 2 new blankets in the back seat of my Tahoe each year as a “just in case” type thing…my daughter is 13, completely nonverbal and mentally disabled and she has used the blankets to cover herself over her head and body for many years now so when I saw Abby with the blanket over her head in the back seat I had that “I know what you’re going through” feeling. I have always wondered if other people see her as we’re driving down the road but maybe the tint on my windows prevents that, IDK 🤷🏼‍♀️. I’m used to it with my little girl but it’s the first time I’ve seen another child do it. I haven’t watched this family in awhile so maybe it’s been shown before. I’m happy to see everyone still thriving and happy and sharing all that positivity!!! 💞💫

[@susden9654]

I would hope everyone would be understanding. My oldest son is on the spectrum but was diagnosed as an adult. When he told me, it all clicked in my head. The struggles I had when he was a child were crazy. Now I certainly understand.

[@sherrygibson]

Never worry about what other people think. Every child, adult are all unique. Nobody should have a comment about something they don't know anything about. Trust me, I have had my moments in stores with my children and people judging me. Just know your doing a great job.

[@blumberg1982]

I was going to say, the interest in sports most definitely depends on disability. Disabled people who are neurotypical participate in Olympics all the time, aka the Para Olympics every year. For the IDD community though I will say it does depend. There are those who do special Olympics and some of them aren’t bad at all. So it depends.

[@mssara1979]

I think some people are forgetting Abbie has 2 diagnosis and sometimes the id diagnosis shows more than the autism and part of it is muscle tone but also some is just being a young lady teenager

[@emilystemp8957]

the puppy is so cute

[@susden9654]

She is. She made my puppy biological clock tick. Now I'm looking at the shelters for one. ❤

[@Rebeccarochelle22]

Wow! I’m never this early! Rizzo is so adorable. Happy belated Veterans Day Asa! Thank you for serving and thank you also to Cilla’s dad

[@terriedenna7751]

Whatever happened to Abbie's bicycle? Or the Peleton bike? Just wondering. Abbie is absolutely not "dumb." She is a very intelligent young lady. Rizzo is so stinking cute.

[@andreaportner1232]

I feel bad for Sandy. You guys call Rizzo over all the time and pick her up a cuddle and Sandy is the neglected red headed step child 😂

[@paulabaker6448]

I'm not as active as I need to be. I'm 65 and have MG...a muscle disease. So I'm not busy anymore 😊😊😊 I raised 3 children and did all the stuff they wanted to do. Love yall. Blessings always

[@emilyking4580]

Maybe her program needs should start doing a walk before lunch.

[@JaiJai988]

I have an odd question: did you have to do anything to get her to stop jumping into the pool at random, or does she still do it but you do not record it?

[@fatheringautism]

She hasn’t jumped in the pool in years

[@janicemichaloski5292]

Rizzo is so cute ❤

[@piamiddione3695]

How come you don’t Bike anymore? She was doing better and better?

[@fatheringautism]

Yeah, she got really good at pedaling but she didn’t really enjoy it

[@sadboi9774]

What about turning on music and dancing together? Would she be into that?

[@fatheringautism]

She would enjoy watching us dance

[@vickihogan8207]

Cracked me up when you opened the door and Abbie had her head covered up! She is so cute!

[@rebeccahorn8418]

Love your green blouse Cilla! ❤❤❤

[@LindsayMinks]

I m not big into sports either. I could careless. I always have people trying to talk me into playing special olympics basketball and special olympics softball.😔

[@Sherryk546]

I see that problem in so many of our students. The parents say they like something but in a school environment where there are tons of distractions and noise and it’s very hard to see that they enjoy that activity. Probably 1 of our 13 students enjoy any kind of physical activity. It’s so tough.

[@kelliebutler24th]

Maybe you can bring her bike to program and she can ride it on nice days with her pers

[@lynnwade9112]

I hope Rizzo was not loose in the driveway as Priscilla pulled in. I could not tell. I just saw Rizzo by herself in the driveway and Priscilla in the car. Would hate yo see her get hit or ran over. Love all your dogs and Nala too. I even love the coy fish.

[@heatherfahsbender6583]

It may seem like Abbie doesn’t do a lot of activity but she goes on walks and she gets up and goes to her program 5 days a week. (I think it’s 5) Anyway, my daughter is 17 and a senior in high school. She was recently diagnosed with ADHD Inattentive type (ADD) and almost has an anxiety diagnosis. She tried a few different sports when she was younger and then got into Taekwondo. Now she doesn’t do sports at all and prefers so hangout alone. I don’t think Abbie is far off from being age appropriate in her teenager needs. She communicates her wants and needs as well as her displeasure of certain activities. She used to go in the pool all the time and she was an active child. There will always be people that do not understand because they don’t take the time to understand. Your family is amazing and Abbie is so blessed to have a family and great friends that care so much about her. Keep being the “Maassome” (just thought of that) family that you are.

[@jessicahussey]

What is gumbo. I've never heard of it before. We don't have it in the UK

[@susanmiller7935]

Does Abby still have her exercise bike? I know she wasn’t a fan. Just wondering 😊

[@angelamcgee8703]

Asa if u go shopping in stores here the only bags u will get is papper bags but u got to pay. 10 cents per bag unless u bring ur own reusable bags that would be a way to get paper bags for abbie

[@KGate222]

Can you just help me and be quiet about it ??? if that’s not a marriage statement, I don’t know what is. 😂

[@caroleshaffer2243]

Abigail has the most sweetest laugh! Love how they wrestle, he treats her just like she should be. You guys have raised two amazing kids! I worked with Adults with Developmental Disabilities for 22 years. And you guys are amazing! I wish more parents would be more involved. All the parents were involved where I worked or their siblings, grandparents ECT. Thank you for sharing your lives with us

[@nexalex]

What happened to her bike, that’s exercise

[@fatheringautism]

Same situation, she doesn’t enjoy it

[@simply852]

Do you have Special Olympics program in Florida? Maybe they do wrestling

[@KGate222]

Can’t wait for the recipe!!!!

[@amerie1987]

I do want to make Priscella's Gumbo. Feels like a Fall meal.

[@jackfiler2165]

We love Rizzo

[@pamelamccarthy7039]

I see so much growth with Abigal. She looks and acts so happy. She is so smart too! You are doing such a great job with her. She is so loved by all of you and her sweet face shows it,

[@erinhawkins-terriquez7173]

SO random, but your garage doors look soooo small compared to yall's vehicles. That's crazy!

[@pattyelvsaas7017]

They don't park in them and older homes didn't have big garages

[@tyreesetjjoyner1995]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@angelamcgee8703]

My friend son got autism and he like being by his self most of the time playing on his tablet or playing with his mini cars

[@tiffymcconkey]

My money is on Abby everytime😂😂

[@patriciamora2915]

We couldn’t even get our 6 year old autistic granddaughter to come downstairs to open her presents for her birthday or eat cupcakes and ice cream and her favorite thing is cupcakes. Right now they can’t get her to wear anything but her underwear in the house even when she is cold. She will put clothes for you if you’re leaving the house but they will come off when she gets inside. Something’s are just not worth a meltdown.

[@DGAF42069]

💜❤️

[@brendahamrick9337]

That’s hysterical.I’m trying to picture Abby on a wrestling team!

[@tinaisham1674]

Sometimes I think you give up on an idea. Like the bike upstairs. Watching you get frustrated gets her frustrated

[@fatheringautism]

We worked on the bike for a couple years. She got pretty good at consistent pedaling but she didn’t enjoy it. I don’t think it’s giving up on something that she’s showing progress on after that long of a time if she isn’t having fun at it.

[@barbaramccarney1445]

Asa tell whoever that tells you to “just make Abby do something”, for me, that I have 2 daughters, one is 18 and one is 21. Abby does far more at home than my 2 girls do ever! Maybe whoever is so free with their advice doesn’t have children… We all do whatever we feel is the best possible outcome for our children, thank you very much! I’m always astounded at the chores and things that Abby will do when she comes home from school and even helps in the kitchen! Please don’t explain to at least me, I’ve been watching Abby since she was as you put it “a runner” and now she’s an incredible beautiful young woman, so obviously you’re doing a great job! 💖

[@AnthonySmith-bj9mo]

hi Asa

[@mistytroutt7211]

Is Gumbo a spicy dish?? Surprisingly being from the south I've never tried it.

[@fatheringautism]

It really depends on the recipe!

[@juliannewood4204]

Would consistent Special Olympic sports be something she would be interested in or grow to tolerate/enjoy? Maybe the pumped up atmosphere and social part of it might encourage her to participate in the sport or activity.

[@pinky-xt1mc]

Dear. I love your shirt. And I love Priscilla's blouse and her earrings ❤👍

[@julien9335]

Does abbey like dancing with the girls? She also does laps of the house!

[@angewalling916]

Priscilla what is the name of your channel please 🙏

[@tinaboyd1743]

I understand my son doesn't move fast if you try to make him go faster he will just go that much slower.

[@hannahxx17]

To be fair you really cant force anyone to do anything autism or not. The only difference is to a neurotypical person they may have a better concept of consequences and can be convinced to partake in a task they dont want to do because they dont want the consequence/its easier to reason with them and convince them of perceived benefits of a task. If you have no interest in something, dont care about the benefits, and the consequences mean nothing how in the heck are you gonna be forced into doing it?

[@janet8034]

Problem solved! 🤣🤣🤣

[@shannacraft4099]

🌸 💙💙💙

[@Jojo257]

Hello Hello from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺🌹👋

[@karenrjackson884]

OFF WENDY COP❤👮🏠

[@lgibson285]

With the love she has for music, have you ever tried a floor foot piano?

[@karenshort3880]

I make a great gumbo recipe, learn it from a Cajun

[@ABECEBSC]

Does she like to dance? Do you ever try to dance with her? Or songs with movement like head shoulders knees and toes? A tumbling mat to roll around on or wrestle on?

[@GhostPepperMeg]

Can we PLEASE go back to the old FONT on the THUMBNAILS? 😀

[@fatheringautism]

There’s been like 10 different fonts lol, which one?

[@GhostPepperMeg]

@@fatheringautismhahaha sorry I misspoke. Old color scheme of the thumbnails. The yellow isn’t good for my eyes. I’m getting old lol. - 46. I need glasses. The contrast is just not the best for me. lol

[@GhostPepperMeg]

It’s this specific shade of yellow lol. Never mind me Asa lol

[@amytaylor-kramer4019]

I’m a mom of 3 children with ID. So I live this life. The conversation about forcing. So very true. People think, just make them do it. It can relate to brushing teeth, showering, even the daily routines.

[@Txoutlawtrey]

I have that too and the doctors wanted my mom to abort me

[@catherinecran9329]

I’m curious, what is ID? I wanted to google it to look it up and then I realized I might not get the right results without more info haha

[@amytaylor-kramer4019]

@@catherinecran9329 intellectual disability.

[@sophiejade1439]

@@catherinecran9329intellectual disability

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@catherinecran9329invisible disability

[@justjackie3792]

Yeah you can’t force a person to do things. My grandma has dementia and we have a hard time getting her to willingly take showers. You can’t just drag her to the shower. You need cooperation from the individuals.

[@karliechardi2229]

😂😂 cilla about packing " can you just help me and be quiet.... without gloating?" Abbie hiding under the blankets is adorable, then wrestling with Isaiah.

[@MarciaD-c3z]

Love Cilla’s green top! Looks very flattering!

[@kmackblack]

The uncontrollable laughter at the end of the vlog is contagious and it warmed my heart and

[@kristinmarie350]

I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOUR FAMILY 💕💕💕 PLEASE NEVER STOP POSTING

[@marayaadams]

Hello

[@beatricetaylor496]

Dress warm

[@denisegilbertson5555]

Asa, it’s ok if she’s not super active. She’s fine. You guys take her for walks all the time and she does chores. I love that y’all try new things with her to see if she likes it, but she’s perfectly fine being herself. I wish the negative naysayers, would find a new hobby sometimes. Anyway, this was meant as a positive post, and reassurance that Abbie is awesome just the way she is, ornery and all lol ❤

[@kathleenhungerford6663]

What a great fun beautiful family. Love how brother and sister interact. Abbie loves it

[@junegroves7295]

I pack like Asa does. Ab being completely covered was so cute! Her and Isaiah will play fight until they can't anymore!🥰🥰 Have a great Friday everyone!!💚💚

[@kathleenmunoz4465]

I think her walking no matter how fast is excerise. Get swimming is excerise.

[@pattyhowell5782]

I was just thinking if anyone ever tried to get Abby into against her will, like a kidnapper they are in for a big surprise. She could probably do some serious damage.

[@Brenda19961]

Isaiah you are the BEST big brother to Abbie. I love the wrestling, the giggles she gives off is priceless.

[@palmyrapilato7256]

I love hearing Abbie laughing 😊

[@hl3818]

.❤ Abbie 😊❤.

[@dianaheckwine6411]

Abby was so cute hiding under tht shirt in bckseat!😅 Rizzo is getting so big so fast!

[@hl3818]

Abbie is so adorable .. ..😊😊😊😊😊😊..

[@Carolhealthfan28823]

Evening

[@susanharris1285]

Their is another teenager on here that has autism and she works at a place where she does t shirts also could Abbie do that

[@trishamcmanus5542]

First.. I thought you were talking about the dogs wrestling when they were 50.. I was chopping Okra. I looked back at the screen and it was the kids.. Then I got all in my feels. Second- I hope so!

[@MakenzieVandersanden]

Abby you got this

[@AmyaTatortot]

Professional Wrestler name: The Giggler

[@fatheringautism]

Haha, love it

[@dandeliondreamer3365]

I think any method of forcing someone to exercise unless they were capable of consent would come across as cruel and abusive. I believe you are doing it the right way.

[@kathyhyatt6468]

I love the relationship Isaiah and Abby have!

[@orchid4me]

Have her ride a stationary bike

[@joannmckenzie9803]

The way to I stop licking with my Maltese I taught my Maltese to cuddle I would turned my head to the side and said no licking and gently push my Maltese head down to my shoulder and said cuddles now on command she will give cuddles

[@hl3818]

Maass Family hello, have a great weekend, hi Rizzo, Sandy, Nala and Mavarick .. ..❤😊❤😊❤😊..

[@KGate222]

Abigail swims which people may forget ! That’s great exercise x

[@colleenhazlett8738]

How would she do with VR? There’s a lot of activity things you can do through a headset.

[@drawingfandome]

Also many people with autism hate the sensory feeling of sweating and exercise requires breaking a sweat so they could be it too.

[@pontinrob]

You wonder if they are still going to wrestle when there 50 Asa have you met the lady you call Mum she still fights you we have video proof of that. 😂😂 They will still do it

[@fatheringautism]

Haha, true

[@mandyf.1168]

people don't know until they know! 7.5 yrs in over here❤

[@JoeyC.Kelley]

I was just like Abbie when it came to competitive games and P.E. I would rather sit on the sidelines and watch than be a participant. Staying active is another big problem for me. I am only active when I go out twice a week with my CCSI person so I can swim, bowl, and do a lot of walking. But when I'm at home here in my group home, and I'm not going out, all I do is sit around and watch KZbin videos on my phone, and a lot of times I'll just go to my room when I really want to be alone. Luckily, I have my own bedroom, and so do my two roommates, so I get to enjoy all the privacy I want. I bowl just for fun, not to be competitive, and so I can meet up with my three besties every other Tuesday. I'm not much into movies or watching television, only every now and then if I'm interested in something that I might want to watch. But when I was growing up and attending school, I remember being forced to participate in competitive games during P.E. class and how much I hated it and felt misunderstood. But if I didn't participate, sometimes I was punished. Or if I were in a group home or the children's psychiatric hospital, during school I would lose points as punishment for not participating. At the group home, I had to do one minute of table time, where you sit at the table right after school and work on this assignment where you had to read a newspaper article that was chosen by a staff member and write a report about the article. You didn't have any privileges until you completed the assignment, and if you didn't complete it by dinner time, you weren't allowed to join in the evening meal. You had to eat a simple meal of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a piece of fruit, often a banana, and you had to eat in a separate room away from the group. Although I wasn't diagnosed with my high functioning autism until I was in my forties, even today, people with autism are misunderstood. This needs to stop. People need to become educated so that we can rid the world of ignorance and provide a more autism friendly society so that those of us with autism can grow and thrive and, more importantly, feel accepted and understood. ❤

[@JoeyC.Kelley]

I meant one minute of table time at the group home for every point lost at school. ❤

[@samscrazylife07]

Watch Abbie with Isaiah is so cute. Love their interactions

[@wendydayz6673]

Nice House

[@launasimon3853]

If Abbie like wrestling let her watch wrestling on tv either college wrestling or WWE she might truly enjoy it

[@maryolmstead3183]

Asa, I just have to say I really appreciate hearing what you have to say. Your wisdom and insight into Abby, as a person with Autism, is invaluable to people like me who work with people with Autism. You have helped me improve the way I work with our children with Autism. My 3rd graders to 6th graders have benefited as a result of me watching you and Pricilla and (your son. I’m sorry, I have a memory problem. I can’t remember his name.) You all are doing so much to add to the knowledge of Autism.

[@ahadnagy167]

People fail to see that she is an adult now and can't be forced to do anything

[@Cheyenne-vi6fi]

Gumbo sounds a weird name for it,if I know what’s more in it!