Skateboarding, Autism and Home Schooling

The following was submitted by Lesli Uribe, a skateboarding mom: The skateboarding scene may reverberate as an off beat subculture sport. But, interpretations can often be misguided when blinded by a fashion statement or an attitude. My son Lucas stepped on our neighbors’ skateboard at age 5. My knee jerk reaction was to panic. After suiting him up with all the protective armor, I finally breathed a little easier. His enthusiasm was so primal. His passion was so contagious that even I became addicted to the skateboarding scene.

No matter what park we went to, Lucas was welcomed by every senior skater, teaching him the tricks, the maneuvers and the essential skateboarding etiquette. He became a brother in the skate fraternity. For years, we scouted from New York to Vermont, from Long Island to New Jersey; driving up and down the east coast to find the parks for him to skate. Now, thanks to , Lucas has a local arena right here in Northern Westchester.

2nd Nature is a brand new indoor skate park, located in Peekskill.  Doug Brown, along with his pro skate team has built their dream, an 8,000-square-foot custom indoor skate park.  2nd Nature opened their doors and their hearts to all even before construction was finished. The diversity that skateboarding offers has proven to be profound. The 2nd Nature team is dedicated to sharing these benefits with a vast spectrum of the community.

Pauline Spitzer, a dear friend of mine, has a 10 year old autistic son. With autism, Nolan’s sense of movement and balance has been one of life’s real challenges. Introducing them to private lessons with Alex Figuero at 2nd Nature has been a great success.

“Skateboarding has proven that he can focus, balance and enjoy his new found freedom.  For Nolan to find a physical activity that he can latch onto is amazing. What seemed impossible is now possible” says Pauline with tears in her eyes.

Feeling accepted in this new environment was key for Nolan’s’ success.  Lucas, also 10 years old, was part of his welcoming committee as “Fig”, his private instructor, initiated him into the world of skateboarding. Ten weeks later, Nolan’s talents continue to emerge, his delight and his pride show on his face. Witnessing this physical triumph and the emotional kudos raises this sport yet another notch.

2nd Nature has tapped into an educational segment. The curriculum, created by Burton Smith, a former pro skater, offers a workshop where kids get to build their own skateboard. This fosters not only their imagination and creativity. Exposure to geometry, physics, construction and engineering all goes into making the board and plants a new seed for the kids to appreciate the need for mathematics.  The kids are engaged in tangible and intangible ways. A sense of accomplishment when the board is finished and the wheels hit the ground is one of the intangibles. Skateboarding fosters an independent spirit, self esteem and practical applications which can help kids’ master so many of life’s challenges.

Home schooled families have also found the park. 2nd Nature has become their gymnasium where they are learning balance, control and confidence. Moms and dads are beginning to brave the sport and the staff lends an arm to lean on. Even I, almost 50, felt the adrenaline which rose skateboarding again, this time to top shelf.