Making Room for Autism in Your Canoe by Fiona Westner-Ramsay (e book reader for pc .txt) 📕

would have been sitting in inches of water if we had left it up.

However, the rain didn’t let up and was coming down in sheets. And there was no wind to move the storm away. There were no boats or paddlers on the lake either.

Unsure of the how the day’s weather would turn out – Mike and I began a “Plan B” in case we had to stay another night. That meant we would have to set the tent back up – but in a different location due to the "pond" where our tent had once been. The rainfall was heavy and then the lightning started.

There were times that we needed Makobe to take shelter under the tarp for safety and he wasn’t happy about it. It was a bit stressful for a few moments but, using the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis, we were able to work thru it. But just when we thought the storm had passed, the rolling thunder started again and we were hit with a second swirl. We waited it out until it subsided and watched the skies and listeneded carefully for more thunder. After a while, there was still some rain, but it seemed the worse had passed. Sure enough we started to see the paddlers out on the water again and on the move.

With a little trepidation, I agreed to get ourselves packed up quickly an on our way. I don’t like storms. They make me very nervous and so I was eager to get moving while it was possible.
We made it across the portage quickly and before long had even caught up to the paddlers we had seen earlier. As our canoe was a Swift Keewaydin, it was a bit faster then the rentals the people we passed were using, and seeing as I was nervous for the storm – I was glad to see we were making good speed.

By the time we were out of the Madawaska and halfway across Rock lake, the skies were clearing, and while still overcast, the storm had ended. Makobe and our dog Sadie were troopers throughout the entire paddle home: calm, quiet and content. Mike, however complained later that both Makobe and Sadie had decided to lean on the same side for the entire last leg of the trip. I didn’t even notice as my only goal was to get to the “take-out” as quickly as possible in case the storm came back!

It was nice when we made our way into the creek and I was able to completely relax. As soon as we arrived at the dock, I jumped out and held the canoe so Mike could go get our vehicle. That is where the iPod was after all! Makobe stripped off his rain suit before jumping into the car seat and relaxed with his iPod in hand while Mike and I unloaded the canoe and loaded it all back in the car.

Mike quickly had the canoe tied down and away we went, back up to Hwy 60 and on to the Two Rivers Store. There we filled our bellies with some hot food (french-fries for Makobe to be sure!), coffee and even some fudge. We also picked up a souvenir Algonquin t-shirt for Makobe and a little black bear stuffie. After growling "like a bear", we were back at home within the hour, as we live not far from the park.

Back to Life

At this point every good canoe tripper knows the expedition doesn’t end until the gear is hung to dry and/or put away. And, in the case with autism, our work doesn’t end until all our trip pictures are put into an album/picture story so we can help to build Makobe’s episodic memories and build on his language skills. Then we can call it a wrap.



By the end of the trip, I believe Makobe learned a few things on our adventure into Algonquin’s wilderness. He learned he still got to cuddle with us in the tent! (Something we are now correcting in the middle of the night, now that we are home, and 'tis a small sacrifice to pay for the memories created).

But most importantly, he learned that he doesn’t need his objects or videos to get thru a day and that people can be reinforcing too. He was quite the talker on our trip – even telling us to call him “Singer-Boy” while he sang and played air guitar by the fire. He was quite the little entertainer, actually. And the time we spent as a family, without the distractions of life, work, stims*

, and the mixed media that surrounds us everyday, was most precious. We became closer as a family and Makobe truly became closer to us. Mike and I learned that it isn't that hard to make room for autism in our canoe. But, next time we will be able to raise the bar and expect a bit more from Makobe around camp. Next time we will have an even better picture story for him. Next time we will bring a back up cartridge for our water filter. Next time couldn’t come soon enough for me.

*"Stim(s) or Stimming are the terms most used to describe a self-stimulatory behaviour or activity that is performed repetitively and usually to the alienation of others. Examples can be screaming, hand-flapping, finger play, rocking, spinning, lining up objects, etc.



Fiona Westner-Ramsay, is the proud mother of Makobe, owner of Badger Paddles… for those who dig the water with her husband Mike, and is also the author of www.autismzeitgeist.com: Practical Information about IBI/ABA for Ontario Families. She lives, with much content, just outside of Huntsville, Ontario - in cottage country - with her husband, her son, their dog Sadie and 3 adopted cats Mojo, Dog and Scardy Cat.


FOOTNOTES

#1 • Our visual aids included information about where to go to the bathroom (i.e. the “Thrones” which are wooden boxes with lids over a dug hole that are used for going to the bathroom in Algonquin Park’s interior. Other parks, like Quetico, there may be no facilities available and you are to dig a 6 inch hole in the ground instead). We had Makobe use the “Throne” when we were there as he has used an outhouse before. But as we know they aren’t pretty and usually present a very unpleasant odor, we also brought a back up toilet bucket for him to use in case he was unable to use the “Throne” due to sensory reasons and to prevent any health concerns or issues. Note: when we return from our trip we will update Makobe's Canoe Trip "picture story" with actual photos of Makobe and events that will be repeated on future trips as visual aid. Please note that http://www.picturecardcommunication.com/ can help with making visual aids (even custom) if you are unable to do so yourself.

#2 •• We started with very small trips at first, working up to longer trips until we were able to spend a few hours in a canoe with a bit of motivation (usually a swimming spot) and some edible reinforcement. Later it became naturally reinforcing for him, especially when he could drag his hand in the water as we paddled along. We also provided Makobe with a camp seat (a soft folding chair that is also known as a stadium chair that can be strapped to a canoe seat to keep it in place) so that he was aware visually where he was supposed to sit and to help maintain balance in the canoe. Mike and I have many years experience paddling in canoes and we both lean our boats when soloing so we are aware of a canoe’s balance points, therefore we are both comfortable with Makobe leaning over to trail his hand in the water as we paddle along. Although in some conditions like rough weather or large waves this wouldn’t be possible.

#3 ••• "FIRST-THEN" is a strategy that we, like many other families, use to help Makobe cope in certain situations. At first used in a visual aid - now we use it verbally. In this example we said: "FIRST paddle in the canoe to a campsite THEN swim in the lake”

#4 •••• Another consideration for bringing children or people with eating sensitivities is how eating and preparing food in the outdoors can affect taste and texture. Especially when cooking over a fire. Makobe has had many opportunities to eat meat and other types of food that have been cooked over the fire as we do so regularly as we visit Poppa Badger & Grammama’s land next door to us and camp. He will eat some things cooked over a fire but it is important we have a good coal base for cooking when preparing Makobe’s food. If there is too much smoke flavor or black soot – he will not ingest it.


#5 ••••• It is very important to bring proper rain gear for everyone on a canoe trip, but it is especially wise to invest in a good breathable waterproof outerwear for any child or person with sensory sensitivities like those found with an autism diagnosis. Sometimes a weather system can come in and catch you by surprise - things can get soaking wet and people can get cold really fast. Dressing in layers, including a fleece under a waterproof and breathable shell jacket/pants with waterproof boots can make for a very happy camper in wet conditions. The breathability factor is important as otherwise you perspire, which can make you cold as well. For our trip, Makobe had a youth shell jacket and pants from MEC and a pair of CROCS boots. Please note: Tarps are also a must for shelter in harsh conditions or heavy downpours.


Thank you for allowing us to share our story with you and happy paddling to all!!!

Imprint

Text: Copyright 2010: Badger Paddles... for those who dig the water.
Publication Date: 09-04-2010

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
This Algonquin Park Trip Journal is dedicated - with much love - to my precious son, Makobe, and my wonderful husband, Mike. And, also to the white horse with black hair, a black mane and a black tail, with dark blue reins - who is also my son's good friend.