In November sent an email to 3 cycling teachers about lessons for our daughter Manon. Ruud van Es responded to this message. Between January and April, he helped Manon to both perfect her cycling techniques and face various situations in traffic. Because of this, she now feels much more confident in traffic, both by bicycle and on foot. She's now able to judge how long it takes for a car to reach her and even dares to claim right of way on the main road.
I am sending this message because the Fietsersbond (Cycling Union) stimulated this first contact and I think Ruud van Es deserves full honours, also for the way in which he treated Manon. He was able to convince her to cooperate with the use of humour, even though she doesn't always feel like it. He was able to "break through her autism", if you like. In addition, the planning of the course was perfect. We received this planning in advance, which made it clear to Manon what she could expect.
I would highly recommend Ruud's cycling lessons to other parents whose kids have autism and have difficulty gaining insight into the various situations in traffic. Manon looks back on the lessons with happiness and has nice memories of the personal contact she had with Ruud. She very seriously filled in the evaluation form which Ruud gave her. In it she mentions how she feels much safer in traffic since the course. In short, thanks to the mediation of the Fietsersbond, this project was a great success. Thank you very much.
Tineke Buijtendijk
- Mother of Manon