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Boy Scouts and AS

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My almost 15-year old son was diagnosed at age 8 and its been a long road for

all of us. The boy that I could not get involved in any kind of sports (he

hates sports) announced to me that he is a nerd. So, we started him in

something non-sports...cub scouts at age 6. This program was a transition for

him, but it offered him the structure that he could understand and live within.

He finally felt like he was included in something meaningful that he could

accomplish. The program is well run in our district...there are rules and

expectations that go along with scouting and they start from day one.

When he transitioned to Boy Scouts, it was a little bump in the road for him to

get used to taking on more responsibility. And it was difficult for me to start

letting him grow up. I took him to visit 2 different troops. He chose to join

the smaller, less intimidating one. His first visit there was difficult for

me. He didn't know how to socialize with this new crowd and I found him tapping

his head against a support pole in the room. However, with the understanding

and support of the troop leaders (and my explanations and support at home), this

boy began to thrive in an environment that allowed him to be himself, but to

learn and feel accepted.

Two months ago, he decided that he was ready to be a Patrol Leader. He applied

and became the head of his own patrol. He attends leader meetings and

participates without any problem. He said to me last week that he likes being a

leader...that blew me away. He also said that even though he has Aspergers, he

feels normal. He's been working on merit badges and rank advancements, mostly

independently. He participates in every activity he can and has made new

friends - we all know how important this is!! He just earned the rank of Life

Scout and will soon begin working on the requirements for Eagle Scout.

This Summer, he is going canoeing with his troop for a week in Canada. Later in

the Summer, he is going to boy scout camp.

Why am I telling this story? We took a chance and enrolled our son in a program

that has helped him grow up in the real world and has provided him an

opportunity to learn and develop so many different social skills. I cannot say

enough good things about the scouting program. Every boy needs to have some

kind of focus in their extra-curricular life. There are a number of groups that

help our kids feel at home. Like the model railroading club he also

joined...but that is another story.

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I love these positive stories - my little guy will start tiger cub scouts soon

(my husband is an Eagle scout and my older NT son is in boy scouts now).

has always said " when I'm a big boy, I'm gonna be a scout too " . So he's really

looking forward to this.

Congrats on all the wonderful things this program has done for your son!

>

> My almost 15-year old son was diagnosed at age 8 and its been a long road for

all of us. The boy that I could not get involved in any kind of sports (he

hates sports) announced to me that he is a nerd. So, we started him in

something non-sports...cub scouts at age 6. This program was a transition for

him, but it offered him the structure that he could understand and live within.

He finally felt like he was included in something meaningful that he could

accomplish. The program is well run in our district...there are rules and

expectations that go along with scouting and they start from day one.

>

> When he transitioned to Boy Scouts, it was a little bump in the road for him

to get used to taking on more responsibility. And it was difficult for me to

start letting him grow up. I took him to visit 2 different troops. He chose to

join the smaller, less intimidating one. His first visit there was difficult

for me. He didn't know how to socialize with this new crowd and I found him

tapping his head against a support pole in the room. However, with the

understanding and support of the troop leaders (and my explanations and support

at home), this boy began to thrive in an environment that allowed him to be

himself, but to learn and feel accepted.

>

> Two months ago, he decided that he was ready to be a Patrol Leader. He

applied and became the head of his own patrol. He attends leader meetings and

participates without any problem. He said to me last week that he likes being a

leader...that blew me away. He also said that even though he has Aspergers, he

feels normal. He's been working on merit badges and rank advancements, mostly

independently. He participates in every activity he can and has made new

friends - we all know how important this is!! He just earned the rank of Life

Scout and will soon begin working on the requirements for Eagle Scout.

>

> This Summer, he is going canoeing with his troop for a week in Canada. Later

in the Summer, he is going to boy scout camp.

>

> Why am I telling this story? We took a chance and enrolled our son in a

program that has helped him grow up in the real world and has provided him an

opportunity to learn and develop so many different social skills. I cannot say

enough good things about the scouting program. Every boy needs to have some

kind of focus in their extra-curricular life. There are a number of groups that

help our kids feel at home. Like the model railroading club he also

joined...but that is another story.

>

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Hi Mel,

Congrats to you and your son. what a great story to read. I too love having my son in boyscout for many reasons but the main reason is for the social skills & life skills. He too wants to become an Eagle Scout. He also goes on camping trips and I'm comfortable with this because his leader is so understanding and I know he's safe. He is able to pack his own bag when I give him a print out of everything needed. He keeps this list with him so he can check off everything to bring it all home and not leave anything behind. (some stuff gets left behind) but less often.

Rose

From: Mel <barimel@...> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2009 5:58:48 PMSubject: ( ) Boy Scouts and AS

My almost 15-year old son was diagnosed at age 8 and its been a long road for all of us. The boy that I could not get involved in any kind of sports (he hates sports) announced to me that he is a nerd. So, we started him in something non-sports.. .cub scouts at age 6. This program was a transition for him, but it offered him the structure that he could understand and live within. He finally felt like he was included in something meaningful that he could accomplish. The program is well run in our district...there are rules and expectations that go along with scouting and they start from day one. When he transitioned to Boy Scouts, it was a little bump in the road for him to get used to taking on more responsibility. And it was difficult for me to start letting him grow up. I took him to visit 2 different troops. He chose to join the smaller, less intimidating one. His first visit there was difficult for me. He didn't know how to socialize with

this new crowd and I found him tapping his head against a support pole in the room. However, with the understanding and support of the troop leaders (and my explanations and support at home), this boy began to thrive in an environment that allowed him to be himself, but to learn and feel accepted. Two months ago, he decided that he was ready to be a Patrol Leader. He applied and became the head of his own patrol. He attends leader meetings and participates without any problem. He said to me last week that he likes being a leader...that blew me away. He also said that even though he has Aspergers, he feels normal. He's been working on merit badges and rank advancements, mostly independently. He participates in every activity he can and has made new friends - we all know how important this is!! He just earned the rank of Life Scout and will soon begin working on the requirements for Eagle Scout. This Summer, he is going canoeing with his

troop for a week in Canada. Later in the Summer, he is going to boy scout camp.Why am I telling this story? We took a chance and enrolled our son in a program that has helped him grow up in the real world and has provided him an opportunity to learn and develop so many different social skills. I cannot say enough good things about the scouting program. Every boy needs to have some kind of focus in their extra-curricular life. There are a number of groups that help our kids feel at home. Like the model railroading club he also joined...but that is another story.

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