I have two very different children. My daughter loves to go, go, go. She enjoys shooting basket balls, playing water baseball (aka hitting a beach ball with a swimming noodle and declaring each hit a home run), riding her bicycle, swimming, playing Wii, roller stepping (as opposed to skating) ... you get the idea.

My son, however, feels that all the exercise he needs is to move his thumbs quickly while playing Mario Bros on his Nintendo. He does not like to sweat. Ever.

Although both of my kids are thin, our family history of heart disease is bound to affect them later in life if they don't develop good exercise habits now. My daughter's enthusiasm rarely motivates my son to join in when exertion is required. P. E. classes at school tend to be a source of stress for him, because his coordination isn't what it should be. He is always the first one out. This does little for his self-esteem.

I heard about a gym for kids with special needs about three years ago. Back then I felt the 15 mile drive each way was just too far and opted for other programs closer to home. At the recommendation of my son's psychiatrist, I looked into that gym again recently, and decided to give it a try.

Saturday morning was their first session. Both kids fought me about going. My daughter acted shy and refused to go into the building. My son just expressed his general disdain with the idea of moving his body and sulked.

Thank goodness the trainer has a way with special children. He smiled at them and invited them into his gym with gentle enthusiasm that unlocked a door in my babies. They went inside and immediately began kicking balls and running around.

After forty-five minutes of two-on-two soccer, they emerged dripping and very thirsty with beaming smiles on their faces. I was shocked, thrilled, and grateful. The kids couldn't wait to come back again.

When it comes to getting my Aspie's to try something new, especially something they don't want to do, it takes finding just the right person in the right location at the right time to make it work. Persistence pays huge dividends.