Many of you know, or have heard me rant, about the difficulties I have in finding Ethan appropriate activities to participate in. In fact, the reason for the Raleigh move was to place Ethan in capable hands, peer groups, and an established autism network. Although I know Ethan has benefited greatly from his TEACCH based school programs in NC I always 
wondered if he needed more peer modeling. I believe NC was a necessary stepping stone for what I have discovered this summer. For comparison, Raleigh supplied 1 month of summer school with his autism specified class and we supplemented with an amazing Y camp geared towards children with autism. All planned out... safe, right? Well, this summer, KY offered nothing but a "Have a Great summer" & a smile. Yes, a little scary & shocking. Desperate for structure and interaction, I got creative and contacted the Wolves' Den summer program. This camp is not specified anything, it is a structured camp at a school with regular kiddos running around. Ethan spends his entire 4 hrs with them, assisted by his former school aide to help monitor his picture schedule. HE IS DOING FANTASTIC!!!!!!! The children were a bit curious of his uniqueness at first but have warmed up and have become very inclusive. The staff has been open minded, accommodating, and a God send for us. Well my lesson received is to make opportunities don't just take the ones specified for you.
wondered if he needed more peer modeling. I believe NC was a necessary stepping stone for what I have discovered this summer. For comparison, Raleigh supplied 1 month of summer school with his autism specified class and we supplemented with an amazing Y camp geared towards children with autism. All planned out... safe, right? Well, this summer, KY offered nothing but a "Have a Great summer" & a smile. Yes, a little scary & shocking. Desperate for structure and interaction, I got creative and contacted the Wolves' Den summer program. This camp is not specified anything, it is a structured camp at a school with regular kiddos running around. Ethan spends his entire 4 hrs with them, assisted by his former school aide to help monitor his picture schedule. HE IS DOING FANTASTIC!!!!!!! The children were a bit curious of his uniqueness at first but have warmed up and have become very inclusive. The staff has been open minded, accommodating, and a God send for us. Well my lesson received is to make opportunities don't just take the ones specified for you. I want to say thankyou to all of them, specifically Ruth who is moving out of town at the end of this week. You have a special place in Emans heart as well as mine. God Bless you and yours.
