The Children’s Hospital’s Neuropsychiatric Special Care (NSC) program received a surprise donation in early January from a teen with Asperger’s, a neurobiological disorder that is part of a group of conditions called autism spectrum disorders.
Thirteen-year-old Chris Thomson traveled from Boulder to The Children’s Hospital in Aurora to present the team with $33 he earned doing chores. His donation will be used to purchase sensory-based toys that help patients relax, focus and reduce their anxiety during social-skills groups.
“I decided to give money to help other kids like me, so for each of their bad days comes a good day,” Thomson explained.
According to his mother, Michelle, Thomson felt the program helped him control his anxiety and emotions in order to prepare for school.
“Those with autism spectrum disorders tend to be literal thinkers, are concrete learners, and they understand best using visual cues and cause-and-effect intervention methods. They also require consistent, constant structure,” added Robin Gabriels, Psy.D, NSC Program Director, Children’s.
“The patients who have adequate language skills look like they should know better, but they don’t because they have an autism spectrum disorder. So, they constantly deal with, ‘no, don’t do that.’ Our tactics are different.”
The NSC program’s intervention approach includes teaching patients to better understand and regulate their emotions and engage safely with others.  
“We believe that treatment is only effective if it can be transferred to home and school,” explained Dr. Gabriels. “To see Chris return and donate money he earned during structured chores around the house was tremendous.”