Trains help make world go ’round for autistic kids
Model railroad club to donate money to autism society
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/10/2009 (6142 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
For four-year-old John-Paul Carruthers and many other autistic children around the world, trains — both big and small — are a key to opening up their world.
And it’s because of the connection between trains and autistic kids that the Winnipeg Model Railroad Club has decided to give funds raised at its annual show this weekend to the Autism Society of Manitoba.
John-Paul’s mother, Lucia, says her child has been enamoured of trains since he first saw an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine.
"We didn’t know other autistic children loved trains — we just experienced it with our son," she said.
"But Thomas is definitely his favourite show. He just has a fascination with trains. He just loves trains."
Sandra McKay, the Autism Society of Manitoba’s executive director, said the connection between trains and autism started to be seen after Thomas the Tank Engine began running on children’s television.
A study in the United Kingdom by the National Autistic Society in 2002 found Thomas the Tank Engine helped children with autism and Asperger syndrome.
"There’s really no known reason for it," McKay said.
"It could be because Thomas is animated and they have faces and personalities. A lot of autistic kids watch it and they just love trains."
Carruthers said her son loves Thomas, but Thomas and the television show have helped him in several ways.
"It has been a learning tool as well," she said. "It has not only helped him with memorization, but also his imaginative play."
And Carruthers said it’s trains — in the form of a wooden model train set in a Thomas motif — that John-Paul turns to when he needs support.
"If he’s had a stressful moment or a long day at daycare, he’ll go straight to the train table and chill out," she said.
Carruthers also said her son loves big trains too.
"When we go out with him, we drive out of our way to go to railway tracks. We rarely see a train, but when we do it’s a thrill."
Carruthers said trains are also becoming a learning experience for John-Paul’s three-year-old brother.
"He is a non-train person and he’s a non-car ride guy so he doesn’t like going out of his way," she said.
"We’re learning the word compromise in our family."
Morgan Turney, the model railroad club’s program director, said his organization is pleased they can help foster the relationship between autistic children and trains.
"We’re very happy to be donating our funds to such a worthwhile cause," Turney said.
"These kids need the freedom to help them do the things they need to do."
Turney said the club expects upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 people will come through the show on the weekend.
McKay said the funds given the society by the club will be used to help support programs and services run by the non-profit organization.
The Great Canadian Train Show is being held at the Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, 180 Riverton Ave., on Oct. 17 and 18.
The show is open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The show features operating model train layouts and displays. Model railroad items will be on sale.
Admission is $3 per person or $6 for families.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason was a general assignment reporter at the Free Press.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason was a general assignment reporter at the Free Press.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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