Logo for kicking the spectrum

On our fieldwork we traveled to kicking the spectrum where we met and spoke with David Rosenberg the founder of Kicking the Spectrum. While this was not meant to be an interview, it turned into a educational experience where he told us a lot about disabilities and himself. He told us about when he was younger and had a attention disability. He said the way he overcame this disability was by taking karate classes which enhanced his focus. This was the reason for him starting Kicking the Spectrum, to do the same thing that was done for him. We learned a lot about disabilities from him. He told us about the general categories of disabilities which are physical, mental, and behavioral disabilities. He told us about how the type of disability applies to the type of work he does with that specific student. One of the most surprising things he talked about was all the things that can come with having disability. He said that if a child has autism, then sometimes you have to go step by step giving extremely clear instructions so the child can understand. He also said that some children have to be touched differently, like a soft high five could feel like a slap with a ruler. The impact this had on our group was a empathetic one. Once he described all the hardships of having a disability, it makes you think how hard it must be to have a disability. Although it also makes you think about how impressive the athletes in the paralympics are and the people who overcome their disabilities and learn to be independent.