Finding a Place to Belong: An I CAN Online Mentoring Journey
After years of searching for inclusive activities for autistic kids, one parent finally discovered the I CAN Online mentoring program. What follows – shared almost verbatim – is her story of hope, belonging, and the power of feeling truly seen.
The Long Search for “His” Activity
I sighed a breath of relief when my child was finally old enough to join the I CAN Online program. At the time, he was eight years old—the youngest age you could enrol. Even as I write this, old memories come flooding back, bringing with them that familiar heavy feeling in my chest. The tightness, the longing – for the world to see what I see.
Having a remarkable autistic child who isn’t into sport, who can tell you everything about dinosaurs but doesn’t fit into the local dance group, is hard. He’s tired. He can’t handle the echoes of the screams or the tapping on the floor. He’s out of his comfort zone – and still, there are no dinosaurs in sight. This activity is not for him.
He can’t swim because the splashing water and the smell of chlorine are too overwhelming. He doesn’t like running or ball sports. We try a specialised disability class. We’re recommended to go to one-on-one sessions so as not to disturb the others. And once again, he is alone. His only conversation is the adult – if he’s able to speak that day. Sometimes, he can’t pronounce the words properly. Sometimes, he’s too overwhelmed and needs to use text-to-speech (what text-to-speech is and why it helps autistic individuals).
“What Group Can My Child Belong To Without Having to Change?”
What group can my child belong to without having to change?
So far, all I’ve done is say sorry and leave. Over and over again.
The world keeps asking him to change for the comfort of others. But my child deserves a place where he can simply show up – exactly as he is, without apology.
Discovering the I CAN Online Mentoring Program
And then I remember the five years he’s been part of the online mentoring for neurodivergent youth offered by I CAN Online.
Tears escape down my face.
Because he laughs. He really laughs.
He shows up as he is.
We’ve never been asked to leave.
We’ve never been asked to change.
He can pass. He can type. He can even bring his dog to the sessions.
In those sessions, he is home.
He belongs.
He can be himself.
I know he is safe.
And I know – I truly know – that they see him, care for him, and accept him exactly as he is.
Every time. No conditions.
If you’re interested in exploring I CAN Online then please reach out! Through our online mentoring sessions, you can connect with others who truly understand. Let’s build a community together, wherever you happen to be in Australia.
