Thinking Outside The Box

We live in a state that is not known for its autism supports and services. People don't move here for autism intervention. I figured that any job transfer to a new state would be a step up in terms of all things autism.

I was wrong.

So, here we go, moving to a state where insurance is mandated to cover children up to age 12. Li'l Bit will be 12 by the time we get there. Interesting as I look for supports, the 12-18 age group is under-represented there. I wonder why? (*sarcasm*) With no insurance and no medicaid to cover that age group, there is a black hole of supports in that age range.

Disappointing.

I wanted to go to a place that would be easier, not one that required me to do more work.

So, I am vacillating from being angry with all the changes we have to go through (that, at this point, don't appear to be positive) and being ready to think outside the box to give my girl experiences that she needs to continue to grow.

This wasteland of services actually creates an opportunity for me to think outside the box. And I have been. I have already contacted one non-profit in our destination city to ask if we can volunteer there as part of our homeschool week. What a great way to work on life skills with the relationship piece, maybe even with a some academics in the mix! They have welcomed us. I can think of two more non-profits we may be able to get involved with, too.

Perhaps we can start a Special Olympics figure skating program there, where none exists.

I think, in the long run, these outside the box activities will provide more real-life, well-rounded opportunities for us.

I have a question for you. Help me out, here. What outside-the-box ideas are YOU using with your child w/ a developmental delay or learning challenge(s)? Like our figure skating lesson opportunity, here, like homeschool co-op jump rope class here, what have you tried, what worked, what didn't work? Give me some ideas as I continue to think outside the box.