As a parent of a child labeled "on the spectrum", it can be challenging to remain positive. We are faced with a mountain of information and options intended to help us, but also what seems to be a lack of support in many cases as well. Where I live, our school system has just one person trained to work with kids with autism in the schools, while hundreds of kids need this support. We have no one here trained to deliver social thinking programs, as recommended by Michelle Garcia Winner, which I think could be a huge help. We are left to find options on our own, like the Mendability program that I've recently signed up to try. We see gradual increase in support, but we are also told by our government that change will be slow - likely will take the next 5 to 20 years to get to where we need - which basically means our kids will be adults before we see things like described in this 60 page report, called "Choice, Equality and Good Lives in Inclusive Communities - A Roadmap for Transforming the Nova Scotia Services to Persons with Disabilities Program":
It can be VERY overwhelming.
Still, there is something that entered my world that gives me a great deal of hope for our future. I was recently asked to write 300 words or less about this, and so I thought it fitting to write a blog post to share.
I love Scotsburn because it’s a place that teaches people the
best language. As many people do, I
moved away from Pictou County to begin my career. As my husband and I began to raise our
children, we encountered challenging behaviours (now diagnosed as Autistic
Spectrum Disorders) and felt a very strong need for more support, so we moved
back to where our families live. I’d say
Scotsburn gave us much more than I ever even knew we needed. You see, several Scotsburn parents and teachers
have been introduced to The Virtues Project™, and they focus on teaching “the
language of virtues” daily. We all have
hundreds of virtues that simply need to be awakened during teachable moments. As my children did typical pre-school
activities, the teacher taught told that they are all capable of COLLABORATION,
CREATIVITY, RESPECT and more! When my
son cried or raged because he couldn’t cope with a particular sensory
experience, the children were taught about COMPASSION and TOLERANCE. Children learn about SERVICE and
RESPONSIBILITY, in 4-H, the fire department’s youth group or Scotsburn
Recreation programs. FAITH and UNITY are
further strengthened, as we see the churches working together. Perhaps my favourite is how Scotsburn teaches
GRACE and FORGIVENESS, as can be observed in people like Scott Jones, raised in
Scotsburn, who go into the world and focus on sharing their virtues, even after
going through some of the worst possible life experiences. Scotsburn’s language gives me HOPE for a
better future for all of us.
You can learn more about Scott Jones here: https://www.facebook.com/dontbeafraidcampaign Please consider joining his campaign. Don't Be Afraid. Instead, choose to focus on the virtues in ALL people, and together we can all enjoy a better world together.
