By Laura Landau, as told to Red Toolbox
I am the mother of Itamar, an autistic 16 year old teenager. My son is communicative, intelligent and quite independent, but as a person with autism, he is also stubborn and it is not easy to convince him to participate in activities that are not on the computer.
About a month ago we received a Red Toolbox Bird Feeder kit and toolset as a gift from a friend for Itamar, and at first I was very skeptical about his capacity to follow-through with the project from start to finish, as many projects don't hold his attention very long, and he gets frustrated or simply loses interest. Based on previous experience, I was doubtful about his capability to build (or help build) with wood and more importantly, his willingness to work.
But from the moment we opened the toolkit, he was fascinated. He put on the toolbelt, picked up the screwdriver and said “Now I’m a real carpenter!”
Itamar worked with his father from the beginning until the end. First, they read the instructions together (very clear, comprehensible and easy-to-follow), prepared every part and every tool they needed before they started, which allowed him to organize the work and get himself organized, as well; and asked me to photograph the entire project ─ yes he was very proud!
major achievement due to lack of consistent attention span, but he finished the birdfeeder in three stages and was very excited when he saw it hanging from the tree. He insisted on immediately filling it with birdseed.
For two weeks, he wore his toolbelt every day to school and he tells everyone who passes near our house that he built that bird house! “Yes! I really did!”
I highly recommend Red Toolbox kits for special needs children and teens and we are looking forward to choosing our next project to work on together. Thank you Red Toolbox!!
