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“An Unlikely Pairing”
Meet Evan and Henry! Evan is a 13 year old student attending Morrison’s school age program and Henry is a 5 year old in the preschool. Although it may seem like an unlikely friendship due to their age difference, Evan and Henry are two of Morrison’s most pro-social students and were able to use their mutual desire to connect to form a playful, caring and reciprocal bond. Brought together by their love of games such as tag, obstacle courses and sensory-based activities like bubbles on the playground and water play, they practiced initiating peer engagements and developed gross motor skills. Their trusting friendship became a way to practice essential play skills such as how to develop themes and create joint attention opportunities.
Both Henry and Evan made significant developmental gains. Henry provided Evan with a confident peer who was willing to actively engage in imaginative and kinesthetic play and modeled new and interesting play themes. Evan provided Henry with a reciprocal and dynamic peer who could bring endless amounts of energy and interest. In many ways, this Morrison dyad and friendship mirrors the pairing of the Labrador retriever and the cheetah that many zoos utilize. The clip below shows how labs provide cheetahs, who are very anxious animals, with a confident and playful companion. Cheetahs provide labs with an endless amount of energy and companionship. The boys celebrated their year of hard work and fun by going to Splashtown for a day of fun in the sun. Here are some photos of the two playing inside and outside of Morrison Center.
Parent Questions
As a parent, what was your strongest take away from the bond these two boys formed?
Henry’s mom, Candace- “It has been special to see Henry connect so closely with another peer. To form play and social habits and a friendship. I enjoy and have been intrigued with watching reciprocally how Henry meets Evans needs and the way that Evan meets Henry’s. “
Evan’s mom, Marie- “For me the strongest take away has been watching the boys, particularly Evan form a relationship with a peer that is truly a friendship. He is able to play and enjoy the benefits of having Henry in his life while learning social norms of play though play. Evan always loves to see the pics sent home from school with himself and Henry being silly, and I love the burst of confidence that this gives Evan, to be able to look back and actually reflect on a great time with a friend.”
What message would you like to share with other parents who are struggling to have their child connect with other peers?
Candace- “Have patience and find the right fit. As a professional Kyle you matched these two, and it was you who saw how they could benefit from time spent together.”
Marie- “It is a process and may not happen with every child invited into your "play" life. While age is clearly more significant of an issue when kids are younger, this is not everything. Just because one child is 13 while the other is 5 or 6, the age gap may be exactly what is needed for both children. Serving different needs for the kids involved. I think sometimes the thought is to get kids together who are
close in age, because they have more in common. Not always the case, and in the case of Henry and Evan, I don't see that the age gap had any hindrance on the relationship.”
Was there a particular moment where it really hit home as a parent, the overall impact this relationship and therapeutic approach may have had on your child?
Candace- “Each time I saw your updates and when you shared the lab cheetah video I was able to tune in more to Henry’s interactions with others. He’s become so much more confident in these.”
Marie- “I don't know that for me there was a particular moment, but I agree with Candace that it was the sent home pics of the boys, and seeing the smiling faces and being able to sit with Evan that evening and look together. Talking about it, and watching him become excited all over again. Seeing that time after time it was clear that this relationship held great meaning, joy, and pride for Evan.”
Can you talk about some of the overall gains you’ve seen in your child over the past year that may or may not have been in part due to this unlikely pairing.
Candace- “Henry is able to play with others and really investigate alternative ways of playing than his own agenda. This has been one of the largest take aways. I also think Henry’s been able to empathize with others more, stepping outside of his own emotions to evaluate what others may be feeling.”
Marie- “Evan has always been an independent child, partially due to being an only child and not having the built in sibling "playmate", sharing is sometimes a difficult concept for him to grasp. I have noticed over this year that the willingness to share, without being prompted, has increased. While at the same time the self-imposed desire to wait his turn has also increased to a more appropriate level. “
How has this helped shape, change, or validate your perspective of your own child and their ability to interact with other peers successfully?
Candace- “Yes all of these. This experience has shaped changed and validated my perspective on Henry’s ability to hold successful peer relations. To see him care about another’s needs and let go of his firm agenda in his own moments. Prior to this if Henry wanted to play chase and a peer declined, he was disappointed beyond consolation. It not only disrupted his moment but half of his day. Now,
He can redirect and join in other types of play, he can change initiative and shift. He’s become more fluid and more dynamic. I’m so proud of the boys and have truly enjoyed all of this engagement and I hope to continue to foster their friendship for both of them.”
Marie- “I feel as though my need to watch and be close by has dimmed. Evan, in some way, has proven that he is fully capable and ready to do much more on his own. He can make friends, demonstrate appropriate social cues, while also picking up on social cues as well. He is ready and more importantly wanting to have friends and be a kid. While Evan has always been very interested in what others are doing and would show the desire to join in, I'm not sure that he always understood what exactly to do with the situation once he was in it. Having Henry there at school day in and day out for the last year I believe has had a substantial self esteem boost for Evan, and given him the time and consistency needed to form the friendship, while having the space to "workout" how to properly navigate the social structure/norms field in a safe supported environment with a great friend.”
Morrison Center has Ed Tech openings at our Wells Special Purpose School AND Ed Tech positions at our Special Purpose Preschool in Buxton. Reply to this post or send your cover letter and resume to jobs@morrison-maine.org. Full-time with excellent pay and benefits!
The Seedlings Program has been busy making pendants with dried flowers, keep an eye out for their upcoming art show this fall!
I love the greenhouses there !!
Awesome!!!❤️
Let me know if you are interested in selling them in my shop Karleen's Ideas gift shop in Kennebunkport. I make weighted items, or toy line is sensory, therapy and social based. We also sell jewelry that I and my Autistic sons make with other gift items. I could create a section just for these with information about the program.
Great picture David 😉!
Looking forward to it 😃
Handsome young man.
There’s my friend David Bouchard!
It's that time of year! Our 26th Annual Nite Lite Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament! Friday, September 6th at the beautiful Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth! Putting Contest and Social Hour starts at 5 pm followed by dinner, live auction and then 7 holes of night time golf! You won't want to miss out on the fun! Contact Amy Whitmore at awhitmore@morrison-maine.org for more information and to sign up a team, become a business sponsor or donate an item to the auction. See you there! All proceeds benefit Morrison Center's Programs for Children and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.I
Support Physical Therapy!
Our newest PT, Jason has developed physical education classes to add to our programs’ weekly schedules. Classes always have fun themes and are adapted to allow all students to access materials and equipment that support their movement and physical development. We would love your support to help us expand these programs! Please visit our wish list at Amazon.
