Article in the Scouting Magazine

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Registered: 01-22-2005
Article in the Scouting Magazine
7
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 12:31pm

Just in case anyone is interested, there was an article published in the Boy Scouting Leader's magazine this month.

It was written by Elizabeth Johnson, a mom of a boy with Asperger's. She did a beautiful job with the article.

I don't know the rules Ivillage has on posting web sites, so here goes.

You can find the article at scoutingmagazine dot org

I'm a little partial to the article as it opens by talking about my son.

I hope you enjoy it.

I've been around here even less than normal, as my husband just deployed to the Middle East hotspots and I've gone back to work part time. All of that coupled with Matthew in Kindergarten and CJ's 4th grade homework makes mommy a crazy lady these days. I check in often and wish you all the best.

I hope you peek at the article and enjoy it!

Crystal

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Registered: 11-07-2004
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 1:55pm

Great article. We just began Tiger Scouts for the very same reasons. This was suggested by our Dr. We are just getting started but looking very forward to our son making friends. Thanks for sharing.

Melissa

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 09-02-2006 - 3:15pm

Wow, that is AWESOME. My brother is a big time scouting leader. He is even the caretaker at a scout camp in Georgia. He is also Mike's godfather but I think they have had a bit of a hard time understanding Mike since we see them rarely. I hope he takes a look at it.

Good article! I have it bookmarked. Never did scouting with Mike because honestly, girl scouts with Cait was a disaster. Emily is joining this year and if I can find a troop for Dave I would like him to join.

Renee

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Registered: 04-07-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 12:38am

Cool we just got our copy of Boy's Life. I didn't know the articale was in there. Josh has been a scout since Tiger. We are now a Full flegeded Boy Scout He does very well in scouts and earning merit badges are great for those with special interests and obessive behaviorr ;-)
His den leaders were great and the assistant scoutleader had told me that josh was the most attentive one many times. And the dens tend to be small. Josh has been on camping trips mand spent a week byhimself at proviosonal camp this past summer. He did well and earned his 1st 2 merit badges.
i also understand you can get special interventions for the disabled scout.Boy Scouts encourages parental involvement esp in the Cub Scout years.

And As i have said before one of my friends has 19 year old with Asperger's more severe than Josh's, that got his Eagle Scout this past june. He got all of his requirements. He has been on many camping trips. The guy has worked at the Scout Store and he worked at out local Boy Scout camp Baiting hallow this past summer. I know this gentleman works great with the younger kids. And Josh seems to be drawn to this kinderd spirit.

I think Josh's leaders have always been very good from the Den leaders and Scoutmasters. They have always been tolerant of Josh and his quirky ways. And even a bit amused esp since Josh has shown exitement over being a scout. I feel that it has helped him grow. He was helped out in the yearly food drives. He has sort of sung at Holidays for the local hosital and Nursing home. Erc We ,at least during the Cub Scout years, particpated as a family thing. Just talk to your local Boy Scout council see if they might hAve a special needs group, visit (if your area has more than one pack_ the different packs to see which one might be the best fit. And do the same thing when moving up to troop.

I hope you all good luck and hopeful enjoyment
Rina

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Registered: 04-07-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 11:49am

Okay,,Mea Culpa.. It is not in Boys Life. But i did look up the article. And I totally agre with everything it said. We only had just learned of Josh's dx this year at age 11.

But I had always felt that scouts made a difference in Josh's life even before we had the dx. And part of what makes the whole Asperger thing hard for me to beleive sometimes. He is independent to an extent as i am watching him vaccum my house and doing the dishwasher. But Josh's has tried to participate in everything. Day camp sleep away. I have seen him try to interact witht eh other kids and i have seen the tolerance and pateince the other boys developed for Josh in that the other kids will encourage Josh to do his best.

Rina

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Sun, 09-03-2006 - 10:52pm
Thanks so much for posting this Crystal.
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Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 09-04-2006 - 11:13am

Just a little note. Cub scouts tend to have alot more moms involved at least in the pack I was in. The Cub Master may be male and you may have assistant Cub masters that are male. But most of the Den leaders are usually Moms.

On the Boy Scout level you tend to have more of the fathers be involved. Also Eagle scouts are High school boys and sometimes they will stay as Adult leaders.

Rina

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 09-04-2006 - 9:53pm
Thanks for the info, Rina.
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