Meet the Dad Who Turned Spiderman For Autistic Son

This single dad plays Spiderman for his autistic son and other kids of Nottingham, winning hearts all over the UK.

Dale Grounds, a single father, plays Spiderman for his autistic son Reece and other kids of Nottingham, winning hearts all over the UK. 

(Photo - AP screengrab)

Video Editor: Ashutosh Bhardwaj

Dale Grounds, a single father from Nottingham, England has become a ‘superhero’ for his autistic son Reece and other children of Nottingham.

When Reece was diagnosed with autism in 2015, Dale found it difficult to cope with his moods and meltdowns.

When he’s in meltdown mode it can be really hard to get through to him; he enters his own world and you have to say and do all the right things to help or it just gets worse.

Dale Grounds

After Dale saw Reece totally engrossed while watching Spiderman, he went ahead and bought a costume and says that playing Spiderman has really helped his son.

For a while he didn’t really grasp the fact that I was his dad and Spiderman as well, but now he does and he thinks what I do is amazing. It’s really helped with his moods too, so it’s great that I’ve been able to help him in this way.

Dale Grounds

Soon after, Dale started turning up at his friends’ children’s parties decked up as Spiderman. Getting nothing but high praise from his friends, Dale went a step further and contacted the Nottingham Children’s hospital in 2016.

I thought turning up dressed as Spiderman with a load of Easter eggs would be a great way to make hospital visits comfortable for the children. It was brilliant. The kids loved it.

Dale Grounds

Since then, Dale has been going to the hospital every Thursday morning, visiting a separate ward each week.

He says that he has formed bonds with some of the long-term patients and that their parents too have been really supportive.

He has now turned his passion into a career and set up his own business, Spidey-Tastic, entertaining children at parties and events.

He plans to set up a charity in future that will form a team of superheroes that visit hospitals all over the UK.

Text: AP