From new commenter Ron Bishop, a Comment of the Day on the post, The Asperger’s Child, the Company With A Heart, and the Cheapskate Parents: A Cynical Ethics Tale, It is self-explanatory. I would like to know, however, and have asked, what these parents would have done if, after all their son’s toil and planning, the Death Star had cost a hundred dollars or so more than he could raise. Would they have had him ask LEGO for help, or helped him out themselves?

“I believe it’s a real story, because my family has lived a very similar story. My 11 year old with Aspergers Disorder, also a Lego fan and in a social skills group, wanted the $400 Death Star set. Sensing a “learning moment”, I told him, if he saved up the money, he could purchase it.

“We looked at what he could do to raise the money. Fortunately, we live a soccer loving area of the country – he played rec soccer, we have season tickets to Sporting KC, I coach, etc…He came up with the idea of becoming a soccer referee. We did loan him the $75 and drove him to the certification clinic he had to attend and pass. We were nervous as he attended the weekend clinic and passed the exam by himself. Fantastic!

“He still had to contact referee assignors for the local leagues. He had to write the letters and talk to the men himself. Self advocacy is very difficult for him. He was too young for several leagues, but one league assignor agreed to hire him. He would $12 a match as a lineman. He dove right in and refereed 5 matches that first weekend in a tournament. He was dog tired. Then he would normally referee 3 EARLY morning matches a weekend. We were fortunate to have the time to drive him. He soon had enough money for the Death Star – but he had SO MUCH MORE ALSO.

“He has now refereed 3 seasons for several leagues. He is known as a good and dependable referee for several assignors. He has gotten additional certifications so he can referee up to U18 anywhere in the US and can referee Futbal (giving him a year around income). He also realizes refereeing could be an opportunity to see the world, since soccer is a world sport. He also has TONS OF LEGOS.

“This is fantastic for a 12 year old – especially one on the Autistic Spectrum! Aspects that make it difficult for him to make friends or read social cues make him a great referee.

“We could’ve made it “easier” for him, there were some rough times (and there will be more), and we have been very fortunate at many times in this journey to have the help of others.”