Grace McAlister
Reporter1@riverbendnews.org
Ten-year-old Tommy Lee is a fourth-grade student at Suwannee Riverside Elementary.
Tommy is known for the fact that he is always happy and can put a smile on anyone's face. "We have so many people telling me what a joy Tommy is. He's super smart and has an amazing memory," his mother, Stormy Lee, stated.
At four years old, it was apparent that Tommy had an outstanding memory. He taught himself sign language and how to say the alphabet backward. Recently, Tommy successfully memorized all 193 national flags of the world. He first found interest in flags in mid-2022 when he came across YouTube Kids' videos on flags of the United States. Tommy was captivated by these videos and began studying world flags and capital flags shortly after. He likes to draw flags and capitals and how colorful they are. Out of all the flags in the world, his favorite is the flag of Norway. Outside of flags, Tommy's other favorite things are Ranger rides with his father, going outside with his mother and playing with his sisters and friends.
Tommy lives in Live Oak with his siblings Gracie Lee and Lucy Cheek, along with his parents Stormy and Chris Lee. His mother is a stay-at-home mom, and his father works for the Suwannee County Sheriff's Office. Tommy has autism and a sensory processing disorder, but that doesn't stop him from doing what he loves. He has taught the Lee family and everyone around him so many things about autism. "He's accomplished so much in his life so far, and this is just the beginning," Stormy says.
Stormy says, "A common misconception about people with autism is that they can just make it stop or they can help the way they act." Tommy, for example, has to "fluff." He often has a child's hanger in one hand and a group of beads in the other, which he flicks and twirls for stimulation. A lot of people don't understand why Tommy has to do this. His sensory processing disorder is so strong that he may have to sing, run, hop and fluff all at once to feel better. This behavior is also known as stimming or self-stimulating. It often includes arm or hand-flapping, rocking, jumping, complex body movements, noise-making and more, usually involving repetitive movements or sounds. Stimming helps people with autism manage emotions like anxiety, anger, fear and excitement. For example, stimming might help them to calm down because it focuses their attention on the stim or produces a calming change in their bodies. It also helps children manage overwhelming sensory information. For kids like Tommy, who may be oversensitive to sensory information, stimming can reduce sensory overload because it focuses their attention on just one thing.
Everyone in Tommy's life can proudly say that they would not change anything about Tommy."There are no words to describe how much we love our Tommy. He's such a special boy. He brings happiness to this world, which is a breath of fresh air, especially nowadays. His innocent mindset about life and his genuine love towards his family and friends makes him such a free spirit," Stormy says. Some may say Tommy acts “different,” but that does not bother him. His smile continues to light up rooms, and his enthusiasm and worry-free energy are contagious.