Spectrum Treats: Fort Worth twins with autism open snow cone business

FORT WORTH, Texas – A mother in Tarrant County is on a mission to help her twin sons to succeed. She won’t let autism hold them back. Now, the teenagers are running their own business.

Initially, Matthew and Seth Sherwin wanted to find jobs when they turned 16. Some of their friends had gotten their first jobs, and they were eager. However, their job interviews did not go as well as they’d hoped.

“It was evident that not all of society is still ready to hire autistic kids, especially 16-year-olds with no experience,” said Blanca Sherwin, their mom.  “My mama heart hurt a little because I know the eagerness of my kids and their willingness to learn. And their capabilities.”

That’s when Blanca decided to take matters into her own hands.

“One day, I couldn’t sleep. And I got on Facebook and saw a trailer for sale,” she said.

The boys already had a food handling license through their school, and they’d volunteered at the concession stands at Texas Christian University.

“My mom says, ‘Why don’t we get ya’ll a snow cone business?’ So, she buys us a trailer next thing you know and then gets us flavors,” Seth said.

It took the family six months to gut the trailer and get it up to code. In November, the truck passed the health inspection.

“Sorry I’m getting emotional, but it was a lot of work and a lot of stress and a lot of sweat and tears and lots of friends having to come help me because I couldn’t do it all by myself,” Blanca said.

They named their mobile business Spectrum Treats with the motto “Full Flavor, Color and Personality.”

“They’re very much aware that they do have autism. We never saw it as a disability. I never taught it to them as a disability. On the contrary,” Blanca said.

She leaned into their strengths.

“I like to do inventory and I keep it on a calendar. I keep track of everything,” Matthew said.

“He can tell me how many sleeves of cups we need and how many we have, just from memory because he has that capability,” his mom said.

Seth is the communicator.

“He loves people. He loves to make that connection and make people feel good,” Blanca said.

Both are learning life skills and a business sense, thanks to their tenacious mom.

“I want to give my kids the tools to be able to function when I am no longer here,” she said.

“She’s a great mom no matter what. I’d just like to say she’s always been the best. And she deserves a free snow cone as well from us,” Seth laughed.

Blanca actually spent 17 years in law enforcement before becoming an art teacher at the boys’ school – Wedgewood Academy in Fort Worth. It’s a nonprofit school for children with learning disabilities.

The best way to keep up with Spectrum Treats and find out where they’ll be next is on Facebook. You can follow them at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559653372065.