The Gray Area

Pediatrician:  “He’s in the gray area…”

           Neuropsychologist:  “He’s in the gray area…”

                         Psychiatrist:  “He’s in the gray area…”

Specialist after specialist after specialist repeated this phrase as they described my child. "He’s not quite typical, but also has many more strengths than what would be considered moderate/severely disabled.” Thus began my 20+ year journey to find services, activities, and social groups for my “gray area” kid.  And let me tell you, it was tough.  When I tried to put him in “typical” activities, baseball comes to mind, it was horrible. He didn’t have the attention or eye/hand coordination to play at that level so I tried the “Challenger” league. That didn’t work either as the volunteers would just hand him the ball to throw.  He knew it wasn’t the way the game was played and struggled with that.  He is aware that he struggles and wants nothing more than to have friends and activities like “everyone else.”  

I want to help other young adults, like my son, to deal with the frustration of being in the "gray area."