'Agricultural specialisterne': rural employment revolution for those with Autism

[Visionary7903]

In my last two posts I have focused on POAC (Parents of Autistic Children), a non-profit Autism training and outreach organisation based in Brick Township, New Jersey. POAC is that state’s largest provider of free Autism training and education for parents, teachers, and friends of children and adults on the Autism Spectrum. The nonprofit has held fishing events for Autistic children at ‘L&H Woods and Water’ in Wall Township, New Jersey…

…Teachable Moments
During your fishing trip your child might learn how to:

• Put line through fishing pole eyes
• Tie lures onto line
• Put bait on hook
• Cast fishing pole
• Wait for fish to nibble
• Set hook by moving pole quickly
• Reel up fish
• Scoop up fish in net
• Unhook fish from lure
• Put fish in cooler
• Clean and filet fish
• Eat fish for dinner!

There are so many opportunities for learning during a outing to the lake, river or ocean to fish. You can prepare your child for what to expect by writing a story about what you’re going to do while fishing or watching a movie about fishing. Summertime is a time to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Just because your child has autism doesn’t mean you need to avoid doing these regular summer activities. The more activities you expose your child to, the more opportunities they will have for learning and social interactions. Take some pictures of your catch of the day so they can share them with friends when they return to school. But most of all, remember to have fun!

Here are links to short videos of two POAC fishing events:

POAC L&H Event

POACfishing2010.mpg

(source: Let’s Go Fishing | Autism Community)