Jonathan Lupo's learning experience

What is the PEC?  An organization called “Parents for Exceptional Children” is also known as the PEC. It is a New Jersey based group of families who advocate for children with special needs.  Who are the PEC children? The PEC children have special needs in some capacity. Some are on the Autism spectrum and others have a form of Asperger’s Syndrome.  Children range in various disabilities. Many of the children have a high-functioning disability, which means they can learn in a mainstream classroom.  Others may be non-verbal and have limited mobility with complex disabilities. The PEC runs many family events and programs that are age and diagnosis-appropriate for all to enjoy and learn from.  The PEC doesn’t have a meeting location or building to call its own.  It is a  group of children and parents that meets on the go!  They meet in parks, movie theaters, restaurants, bowling alleys, schools, and everywhere other clubs meet.  

Jonathan Lupo, a teen boy from Basking Ridge who is a child I mentor. He has low-functioning Autism, which means he is not on grade level for his age. For example, although he is 17, his brain functions similar to a child of age 4. Jonathan has much of his feelings and emotions inside and cannot communicate his thoughts. He is a nice boy and it is clear to see he has may moments of frustration from his own inabilities. Jonathan attends a school for students on the Autism spectrum. He likes to swim, hike, play games and use his hands in doing activities.  The PEC meets throughout the year on a frequent schedule. Since there are so many families with varying interests, all kinds of activities are scheduled during the year. Holidays are especially interesting and fun.  I chose to interview Jonathan because he is a boy that many people don’t know. In meeting with Jonathan and his mother, I learned how very different levels of understanding and communication there are. In fact, we are all unique amd have strengths and weaknesses. Jonathan reminds me that all of us have to live our best lives in our own way. I have some verbal issues of my own to work through, and when I work with a child like Jonathan who is only 17, I realize that he is only 4 years younger than I am and I am also a student with some struggles to work through. We all have some form of struggle. I believe that accepting these life adversities is what makes our world a more compassionate place.

About 1.5 million people in the United States have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and an estimated of 1 out of 59 births are on the spectrum of Autism.  Jonathan’s mother frequently cries when speaking of her son’s Autism. She is sad to see how much of life he is missing out on.  “His birthday was last week and he turned 17. He would have been driving with all of the other 17 year olds out there. But this is the life we have been dealt”, she says. Jonathan and I became instant friends, even though he cannot answer all of my questions. He understands but cannot formulate a reply.  I recognize this kind of communication issue. Jonathan reminds me how lucky I am.  

“Jonathan is tired today,” his mother tells me. “We went hiking earlier, and when he is tired, he is very moody.”  When I speak with Jonathan, I need to use short sentences with only one question at a time or only one point to make. I need to  be patient and wait for his answer.  I chose to interview Jonathan and his mother so I could gain two perspectives: the mother of a Autistic child and a child with Autism.  I asked Jonathan if he likes to play games and what game he likes best. With only one-word answer he said, “Games!” Jonathan was on track with my question, but he could not formulate the full thought. I asked him if he liked Game Cube. He replied “Game Cube”.

Me and Jonathan