We introduced you to Joshua Golden on our blog last week. If you didn’t take a minute to learn about more about him, click here! Joshua is an autistic athlete who has found confidence, pride and focus through the sport of climbing. We are partnering with Joshua and his family, on a blog series to help this community learn more about what they can do to be inclusive to those who are different. Josh’s mom sat down with him for a one on one interview, to find out how he feels about being an autistic climber and the advice he has for others like himself!

How does your Autism affect you when you’re climbing?

Some sounds hurt my ears. When this happens I use ear plugs or put on my ear muffs which makes it quieter. If I forget to bring them and a noise is bothering me I put my fingers in my ears until the noise goes away. If the noise doesn’t stop, I try to find a quieter place in the gym.

What happens when you’re competing in an on-site climbing competition and you can’t cover your ears because you need to listen to the timer and the judge?

When this happens before I climb, I close my eyes and take deep breaths. I focus on things that make me happy like Hope’s (Joshua’s sister) painting. This makes me feel better.

What happens when there are a lot of people climbing near you?

I go to a place in the gym where there are less people. There are lots of climbs to work on. If the gym is really crowded I need to take more breaks in between the climbs. Breaks help me relax and concentrate better after I get back on the wall.

Were you ever treated differently than other climbers?

When I was on the climbing team we would do cool downs after climbing. We needed to find a partner, but it was hard to find one. Everyone already had a partner. I was confused, not sad, that I always had to do them by myself.

Another time I saw other climbers laughing at me in the climbing gym. I think it was because I was singing a song. Even though it made me feel uncomfortable, I continued to sing because it makes me happy.

What motivates you to climb?

I like the challenge of a new climb and trying out new moves. When I finish a challenging climb I feel like I accomplished something.

Do you think autism has helped in any way with your climbing ability?

Sometimes I climb the routes in a different way than other climbers.

What would you tell other people with autism that are thinking about climbing?

Don’t be afraid to climb if it’s difficult. Keep training and focus on the climb. Challenges are hard, but it’s exciting after you figure it out. Most important is to be around people that believe in you!

We hope that this interview has given you a deeper look into the challenges and successes that autistic climbers (and people) can experience and prove why it’s so important to teach the lessons of acceptance and compassion to kids at an early age. Stay tuned for more blogs about Joshua and his journey, that we hope will reach those who need to be understood and those who need to understand the importance of uplifting others with different abilities.