My autistic son collects bottles to save axolotls, and inspires me to do better by kids like him

This First Person column is written by Jason (Graph) Wyatt, a teacher and father in Edmonton. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.

Back when I was a kid, bumper stickers proclaiming things like "my child is an honours student!" were popular among some parents. You may remember these, although my parents never had cause to display one. 

What makes my son so remarkable doesn't fit on a bumper sticker. At least, not a typical-sized one. 

My son doesn't much care for school and no wonder. With diagnoses of autism and ADHD, the classroom has presented more obstacles for him than it does for neurotypical students. It's not totally the Wild West for kids that it was back in the '90s when I was in school, but classrooms are not the most nurturing environment for neurodiverse learners. 

As an elementary school teacher, it pains me to say that.

Despite the challenges of the school system, my son is a natural learner. Of course I would say that; I believe all children are natural learners. But truly.

Instead of going along with what teachers want him to learn, he has his own interests and he's not reluctant to express that fact. Vocally. In a parent-teacher interview. 

My son cares deeply about animal biodiversity.

That would look weird on a bumper sticker.

This year, for his 12th birthday, he asked us not to give him presents. Instead, he wanted to take the money we would use to buy gifts and donate it to protect axolotls and their habitats. 

Again. 

He made the same request for his 11th birthday. 

This is the second year of his "Bottles for Axolotls" campaign, in which he leverages his birthday to protect an animal species that he loves. We spread the word among friends and on Facebook, and they donate refundable bottles and cans which he sorts in our garage. We take them to the depot and we collect as much as we can through the month of April.

This year, we passed his target and raised $1,080. Last year it was $730 for axolotls.