JJJ
Active Member
Tigger loved cub scouts and really liked boy scouts until it became clear that he couldn't do so many of the activities (they required reading or other academic skills that he just didn't have). We tried just doing the social parts and not the badges (his leader was amazing in allowing and even encouraging Tigger to do whatever he could without any attempt to force him to do things he couldn't). This fall his troop merged with another small troop. We went to the first 'joint' meeting but it was clear that the troop was too big now for Tigger to feel comfortable.
We have now taken a couple of month break from scouts and I realize that he really is missing out by not being able to do things like that. He doesn't ask about going but every so often I hear him talk about 'being a scout' with pride that he was a part of it.
I'm going to start a special needs troop. I need to find 2-4 other boys at Tigger's relative functioning level. I hope to have either our church or our local autism family center 'sponsor' our troop. I'm thinking of making it more of a family thing with each family providing a 'leader' to help things go well. Then as the boys get comfortable with the adults and the adults with the boys, we can adjust 'staffing' based on needs and allow more independence.
I think Tigger's old scout leader would agree to mentor me and his son will likely be willing to be a 'peer mentor' to the younger boys. Wish me luck...
We have now taken a couple of month break from scouts and I realize that he really is missing out by not being able to do things like that. He doesn't ask about going but every so often I hear him talk about 'being a scout' with pride that he was a part of it.
I'm going to start a special needs troop. I need to find 2-4 other boys at Tigger's relative functioning level. I hope to have either our church or our local autism family center 'sponsor' our troop. I'm thinking of making it more of a family thing with each family providing a 'leader' to help things go well. Then as the boys get comfortable with the adults and the adults with the boys, we can adjust 'staffing' based on needs and allow more independence.
I think Tigger's old scout leader would agree to mentor me and his son will likely be willing to be a 'peer mentor' to the younger boys. Wish me luck...