Boy with Asperger’s donates hair to worthy cause
The Autism News | English
BETHALTO – With the loving support of his family, a young boy with Asperger’s syndrome demonstrated great empathy for children less fortunate than he by donating his hair to help others.
“The idea popped into my head one day,” 8-year-old Gavin Shelton said. “I started growing my hair out two years ago. I wanted to help other kids, and they might have Asperger’s like me.”
So moved by his son’s desire, Scott Shelton decided that he wanted to share in the experience by growing his hair, too.
“Having a kid like Gavin is a treasure,” Shelton said. “I’m very lucky to be his father.”
Diagnosed when he was very young, Gavin has been working with a therapist since pre-school on facial recognition exercises to discern emotions. Asperger’s syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, characterized by varying degrees of social disconnection.
Gavin will enter the third grade next year at Parkside Elementary School.
Surrounded by nine family members, Gavin entered Hair Force One Salon in Bethalto with long blond hair cascading over his shoulders.
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