Guest guest Posted January 12, 2004 Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 Sounds great and I have always felt my son needed a mentor, but how/where do you find one? Certainly not in our school district--two years ago my autistic son's teacher commented that my son was a great runner. This teacher was the track coach--but did he do anything to get him running with other kids? Heck, no, that's too much trouble. We have just signed up for Special Olympic track, so we are hopeful that might work. But other suggestions for finding mentors would be appreciated. Thanks. Joanne >From: " Sally " <eeyores1@...> >Reply-autism ><autism > >Subject: mentoring >Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 14:33:18 -0500 > >I think mentoring programs like that are so good for all involved...my own >son I am thrilled to say, got to mentor a little girl in helping her to >read(it was a matchup program of 5th graders and 1st graders, he would help >her in reading and she wrote him a thank you note I cherish). He has been >mentored too, and it was a great experience. I am glad it has worked well >for CB, it sounds like he is doing really well overall! Sally _________________________________________________________________ Let the new MSN Premium Internet Software make the most of your high-speed experience. http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-us & page=byoa/prem & ST=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Hi, my son's school had a Big/Brothers Big Sisters program at the school during the day with older kids mentoring the younger. They spent one period working with the kids doing activities, practicing reading, doing simple games, sports, etc. It was great. Of course the next year they couldn't find just the right match for my son and he had a busy schedule too. You could talk to a counselor and see if there is an outstanding student thinking of becoming a teacher or coach or psychologist who is interested in helping a younger kid. There is an association called "Project Support" in Ohio that trains kids like that to work with kids with disabilities and involves the families to do in and out of school support. It builds more understanding, tolerance and friendships. We are working to have some kids from our local high school trained and have the program put into place(I have a friend with a child who has Downs Syndrome and we are working to help put this into place). By the time my son is in H.S. I hope it is well established(her daughter is a freshman). We work together and with the school to try to change things in a very positive way...take care,Sally(Special Olympics is great too:)don't rule out finding kids to volunteer at the High School...maybe some of the Key Club or other groups would be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 I've had some luck with mentors for my daughter. Girl scouts is one place that we've had "buy in" from peers and adults. This year in my daughter's school, the administration has been great...they structured a teacher-aide period, and brought in 3 other girls to work with my daughter...teach her games, do crafts, paint etc. My daughter's OT has come into the TA time and offered suggestions to the girls on how to simplify some games, and the kids are great with my daughter. I try to find something that other children her age (12-ish) would be interested in...I.e. swimming, the mall, the beach, horses, hiking...and sometimes am able to arrange "fieldtrips", or a home visit. We've even done "tea parties". Another place I've had luck finding "mentors" is through some of the local "homeschool" groups. The families are always trying to find activities to involve their children in. When I had Tammy involved with Special Olympics, I called the local homeschool group and put an ad in their newsletter that I wanted a volunteer to swim with my daughter during practice time. I got several responses. Here in CA, they also have ROP...a program in high school to teach kids working skills. I even got a few interested parties from there. It's a lot of work trying to find a mentor...but it does seem to be a real positive part of my daughter's life. Friendship is important...even if it is "manufactured" at first. Does your son have any interests that you might be able to pull someone else into? Sounds like you need a running coach-mentor! Hope you can come up with some good ideas! Bj RE: mentoring Sounds great and I have always felt my son needed a mentor, but how/where do you find one?Certainly not in our school district--two years ago my autistic son's teacher commented that my son was a great runner. This teacher was the track coach--but did he do anything to get him running with other kids? Heck, no, that's too much trouble.We have just signed up for Special Olympic track, so we are hopeful that might work. But other suggestions for finding mentors would be appreciated.Thanks.Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 BJ had some great suggestions, I wonder if your son would do well with a running club if another family member ran also...there are tons of groups who get together and do runs for training...maybe something to check? Also, have you tried pushing the coach a little? Sometimes people need to know you are really seeking something before they help...just a thought. Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2009 Report Share Posted September 11, 2009 HI all, It appears I have been slacking though I read summaries everyday to keep up with the posts. I see a few people have piped up with surgery dates and are new to posting anyway. I have been running a mentor program on this site with the support of others since my revision in 2006. The reason is simple. I was a member, posting and I had surgery but I quickly found that my family and friends, though supportive, had no idea what I was going through. The strange little things that happen like pain in the " butt " for real, the terrible bout with " bathroom " issues, the balance of hard core medication. It was all foreign to them and to me and I had no " lifeline " to speak of. I did not know of anyone to call so I muddled through, finding the whole process emotionally crippling with a six year old in toe. All that being said, I had talked a bit to Sharon Greene who was having surgery 6 months after me and I decided to " be " there for her. I called her almost daily, I emailed her I visited (she is local to me). We discussed most everything as it happened. I was able to at least say, yes, I went through that or encourage her to call her doctor if something seemed a miss. Hence, mentoring was born on this website. All that being said, winded as I am, I just wanted to say, mentorship is a personal thing so go ahead and send me a personal email if you are interested in seeking out a mentor. We try to limit canditates to those that have a revision date for surgery and I try to pair you with someone who has similar things in common, working, pets, kids etc, but if not, believe me this surgery is enough to have in common. So, feel free and if you have any questions, send those along too. C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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