Summer is Here!

It has been awhile since I have updated everyone on Harrison and what is new!

It is amazing to look back at September 2010 when school first started and see a young man who was willing to try anything and determined to be successful in First Grade. I am so happy that Harrison is ready for Second Grade and the new adventures that that will bring. For those checking in we are still not receiving any Special Education IDEiA Services from Spokane Public Schools. We are looking forward to a 3rd year in our neighborhood school. The growth that he has had this year is directly related to his new found confidence and friendships in Cub Scouts.

This year Harrison and his Dad decided that they were going to try Cub Scouts. There is not an active pack at our elementary school so while going to yard sales last summer we found a Pack that met at a nearby school. Harrison and Dave joined the Pack and started their Scouting Adventure. We decided to start the scouting program based on Harrison's grade not his age so that he would have access to the entire program.

Harrison and Dad met with the Pack on Wednesday evening and worked hard toward the Tiger Badge Achievements with the group. With a pretty small pack with peers in the Tiger Den who were 1.5 years younger than Harrison it became clear that he needed to be with age appropriate peers as he would strive to meet them at their social and skill levels and more importantly he could do it and he wanted to be with the kids his own age. One of the joys of the Scouting Program is that accommodations are not a new concept to them. Harrison did wonderfully and achieved his Tiger Badge in January. They have awesome literature on line that describe autism and ASD related issues to leaders and other parents in such a positive way.

By February our family made a decision to leave that Pack and join another group who was better prepared to meet our unique needs in Scouting. It was bitter-sweet however a good choice.

We chose to move to Pack 479 in Spokane Valley at Trent Elementary. They were kicking off the annual Cub Scout Honey Sale. Harrison asked if he could have a Honey Tasting Party and invite our friends, family and neighbors to come, buy honey and support Harrison with working toward going to Day Camp this summer! Over 50 guests arrived to the Honey Tasting Party purchasing over $800 worth of Honey that day. When we finished the Honey Sale, Harrison sold 114 items totaling $1396. Harrison earned 4 entries into the Grand Prize Drawing, a $50 Walmart Gift Card, and self confidence that many have never seen from Harrison.

Harrison joined the Pack as a Wolf and worked hard in the 8 weeks before the end of the Pack year to earn his Wolf Badge. He learned to cook on a BBQ, made a food pyramid chart, visited a Park, to name a few things. He was so happy to receive his Wolf Badge and new Bear Book. Harrison has been showing his true leadership skills and is gain confidence each time that he meets with the Den. We are hoping to see those leadership skills transfer to the school setting this next year.

The best part of this past year is the acceptance and true friendship that has grown between Harrison and the boys from the Pack. Our biggest success comes with Harrison making his first "real" friend. As the parent of a child with Autism you always hope that your child with make a connection with another person their age and with the same interests. Harrison's friendship with the cub scouts in his pack is a dream come true for us. Harrison has been accepted just as he is, and is not only expected by his peers to do his part in the pack but also to be part of their non-scout lives with sleep-overs, play dates and all! Every Mothers Dream!

This summer will be full of fun! Harrison is going to Cub Scout Day Camp- Wild, Wild, West and Blast off! Space Camp, Shoot It! Build It! Burn It! Blow it Up!, Al American Sports, the Avista Stadium Scout Night and Camp Out, Cub Scout Family Picnic, Cub Scout Family Camp, SHOCK Scout Night, and Cub Country Resident Camp with Dad! Vacation Bible School, the Buddy Builders Group at Therapy!, Spokane Indians Baseball, and Fireworks...not to mention all the regular stuff that kids do in the summer! It is going to be busy and fun!

Parenting a child with Autism is not easy, but it is rewarding when you see the hard work pay off, and your child attempt to do the things that they love, and most importantly make a friend all on their own!