I notice it more than other people probably notice it but, like, in the huddle he's always on the outside of the huddle. You'll never see him in the middle of it. Or at the big wrestling tournaments you'll find him at the edge of the crowd, at the edge of the gym. Then when things get too out of hand or overwhelming for him, he'll go out into the commons area where there's not too many people. That's his way of coping. |
It's phenomenal to watch him, win or lose. He's never going to be 'normal,' but he's gotten to a point, I think, where he can co-exist with the rest of society. You do what you can do. |
Nolan strives a lot to be normal. He's done a lot of things to become normal. He's worked very hard at it. |
The problem with an autistic kid is they absorb so much, but they can't bring it back out a lot. He's just like a little sponge. He knows what's going on. He doesn't always tell you he knows, but he knows. It's hard for some people to understand what his disabilities are. They just think he's quiet. |
They tend to be a tight bunch because they spend every night together, and every weekend is a tournament. It's very social. |