Game Night
I know I have often sung the praises of the Cub Scouts, but I’m going to keep on singing because as I look back on Mikey’s journal from a decade ago, I am reminded of all the great activities we got to do! This game night was so much fun for Mikey.
Mikey played with the sister of one of the other scouts, he did the beanbag toss and shot baskets. Basketball is something his PE teacher and his Physical Therapist worked on with him so that he could participate in things like this. He has always loved bowling, so he was very excited to see that as an option. Chuck-a chicken was new to us, but Mikey thought it was very silly!
Why Journal About It?
Without his journal, he would not have been able to tell his friends at school about what he did. When he brought his journal in to school, other kids who are in the Cub Scouts, but might not have seen Mikey there, could relate to what he wrote. They could connect with Michael.
Kids who were not familiar with Cub Scouts could learn about it and see what they do. Then, they might share what they did last night or tell Mikey that they are interested in joining the group. The Cub Scouts and the journaling helped Mikey connect with the people around him.
By getting involved in our community and giving Mikey a way to share his life with his classmates, we helped him to build connections with others. We helped him create happy memories for himself and and for us. All this, from just a simple game night, a camera and a composition notebook!
Who knew chuck-a-chicken could be so enriching?
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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