Scout
Tenderfoot
Pathfinder
Seven years ago the diagnoses on Joseph were devastating, as was the prognosis for his moderately profound autism. Our sole comfort was being told that while he was at the bottom end of the autism spectrum, Joseph was in the top 25% of the bottom end of the spectrum.
That was seven years, and thousands of hours of therapies ago. He is, like the rest of us, a work in progress. Today, he is a bright, articulate, socially-growing boy who seems just a bit quirky.
But this child is also here as a prophet. His life, and how far he has come is actually unremarkable for a child on the autism spectrum.
And that’s remarkable!
Joseph joined the Boy Scouts at the end of last October. Today he attended his first Court of Honor, the ceremony where scouts receive their badges for rank advancement, as well as merit badges.
In the past three months, Joseph has advanced two ranks, earned one merit badge, has three more in progress, is half way to his next rank– Second Class, participated in two service projects, one camping trip, and a Klondike Derby where he spent the entire day pulling a homemade sled with his patrol in freezing rain yesterday and demonstrating his newly-learned skills at designated stations.
Even more remarkably, he has begun to positively critique the leadership skills of patrol leaders.
More remarkable still, he’s not the only special needs boy in the troop, and is treated as one of the guys by the other boys. New friendships are blossoming.
I say that this child is a prophet, because the hunt for the autism genes is on with a vengeance. Nothing good will come of that endeavor. I say that this child is unremarkable as children with autism go because, well, he is. That’s a great sign of hope for parents who may one day receive a prenatal diagnosis of autism.
Greater still is that the other boys quietly, intuitively make the allowances for boys of differing abilities and social skills. These children have grown up with special needs students mainstreamed in their schools. It’s no big deal for them.
And as we move forward, as Joseph continues to grow, it’s less and less a matter of “Not bad for an autistic child,” and more;
“That’s my boy!”
Coming Home 
This brought a tear to my eye. What a lucky daddy and a lucky boy.
Congratulations to Joseph! Seven is such an awesome age – everything is wonderful and new! God bless!
Thanks Lisa and Janet. It’s a joy to see all of the hard work with therapy beginning to yield fruit. Janet, I’m sorry that my chronology in the post was unclear. Seven years ago, Joseph was diagnosed at age five, so he’s actually going on twelve.
However, you stated it beautifully. Even at this age, and with all of scouting unfolding before him, everything truly is wonderful and new! The same goes for his dad at fifty and watching Joseph discover the world. Seeing the world through his eyes, through my daughters’ eyes is seeing a world that has always existed, and one that I’ve never seen before.
God Bless
Great! 🙂
Congratulations Joseph!
No question what a gift Joseph is to all and how everyone grows in love through him…God is no dummy! 🙂
Congratulations to both Joseph and his dad!
It always amazes me what children can accomplish when they have solid parental support!
I”m betting he was pretty darn excited to get those badges!
It is very awesome isn’t it?
Our second oldest son, Connor, was diagnosed w/ Asperger’s when he was sixteen. He’s had a heck of a time, and required an extension (granted, thank goodness!) but just received his rank of Eagle Scout a couple weeks ago. Joseph, hang in there! You can do it, and you will be a better young man for having done so!
🙂
Way to go Connor!!! Congratulations!!
It sounds like you might have an Eagle Scout on your hands in a few years! With his hard work and the collective support that he enjoys, Joseph’s got a great chance.
It’s so good hear how accepting and helpful the other scouts are; I think that’s a common trait. I have a young adult nephew with mental special needs. (His parents have never told us what his diagnosis is). His cousins, my two Eagle Scout nephews – and their respective girlfriends – are very accepting of him, likely more so than his family members on his mother’s side.
Congratulations on Joseph’s success!
Signed, a proud aunt
How proud you all must be!!!!!!!!!!
What a tribute to life and the strength of the human spirit at all points along the continuum.
Congratulations Joseph. I have no doubt that your presence in the troop is invaluable. keep up the great work.!!!!!!!!!!
God Bless.
What an amazing story of your awesome son! Way to go Joseph and keep up the outstanding work!!!
Definitely Eagle material! Thanks, all.
Gerard,
No problem, my mistake. I forgot, but I’m sure you have mentioned that Joseph’s diagnosis was made at age five.
Well, twelve is a pretty cool age too and boys certainly benefit from all the activities you can muster! I have three younger brothers and there are times that I miss not having a son of my own. (I’d be more “with it” when it comes to Boy Scouts, if I did.) 🙂