Climbing with People with Developmental Disabilities

My oldest is autistic (high functioning, doesn’t need support) and loves climbing!  He also loves skiing, camping, and hiking. Generally everything outdoors. His threshold for discomfort seems low in everyday life but for whatever reason not when he is outdoors. Doesn’t complain he is cold, can sleep in tents, doesn’t complain about minor injuries. It’s pretty amazing how outdoors fits my son so well.

Thanks for an awesome thread! 

clee 03mwrote:

My oldest is autistic (high functioning, doesn’t need support) and loves climbing!  He also loves skiing, camping, and hiking. Generally everything outdoors. His threshold for discomfort seems low in everyday life but for whatever reason not when he is outdoors. Doesn’t complain he is cold, can sleep in tents, doesn’t complain about minor injuries. It’s pretty amazing how outdoors fits my son so well.

Thanks for an awesome thread! 

I have found anecdotally that a lot of low support needs neurodivergent people really enjoy spending time outdoors and find a lot of comfort outdoors. 

My daughter is autistic and climbs. I started making her climb when the gym started charging her to hang out. She had some significant physical limitations and issues with sensory integration. Climbing has helped so much. She regularly kicks my ass hiking and last season climbed some third class. 

Deirdrewrote:

She regularly kicks my ass hiking 

My son started to really kick my ass skiing starting last season!  

Thank you so much for this, made my weekend. Keep getting after it Carl!! You are utterly righteous my guy! 

Skyler Scruggswrote:

Thank you so much for this, made my weekend. Keep getting after it Carl!! You are utterly righteous my guy! 

Thanks! He talks about climbing all week long. Even as soon as we get back to his house from the gym. We're definitely related.

Please tell Carl next time I’m redlining I will scream “Let me die with the Philistines!” in his and Samson’s honor. 

Skyler Scruggswrote:

Please tell Carl next time I’m redlining I will scream “Let me die with the Philistines!” in his and Samson’s honor. 

Could be a great route name! Of course, that's up to the routesetters....

My daughter who is 8 years old has Down syndrome. She enjoys coming to the gym with me. Every time we go she gets a little bit braver and climbs a little bit higher before saying “ok daddy, let me down!” She’s tiny, so even the kids area is a bit reachy for her, be she figures out how to make it work. It’s pretty cool. So many people with disabilities are far more capable than the world may think. So glad to see the other posts on here. Thank you all for sharing! 

My son, Levi, is 12, and had down syndrome and is on the autism spectrum.  He's non-verbal, but knows close to 80 sight words and signs.  We started climbing on a plastic wall at the park near our house.  I hope to get him on rock this spring.  We've tried skiing several times, but he always wants to walk, rather then slide:)