Autism and Scouting Radio

Today we welcome Aaron Krause to Autism and Scouting Radio. Aaron is a new Eagle Scout, recent high school graduate and college student who regularly advocates for himself and for others on the autism spectrum. His Eagle Project was a video called "All Are Welcome" which was produced to help others know that all abilities are welcome in the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the ELCA. This video was shown at the Urban Autism Summit and during the opening for the International Summit on Disability Employment held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2014.We will be talking about Aaron's journey within scouting. Aaron started as a Tiger Cub Scout and continued for many years in the program, earning his Arrow of Light and later transitioning into Boy Scouts. We will also be asking Aaron abut his self-advocacy work. Aaron is a big believer in promoting autism acceptance and empowerment. He has testified at the Wisconsin state Capitol on a variety of autism-related issues including insurance reform, scholarships and school vouchers. He has also been interviewed on radio and TV. One of Aaron's life goals is to continue learning about autism and to spread Autism Acceptance wherever he goes. Tune in for a great show with a fine young man!

Autism and Scouting Radio and the Autism and Scouting Program are both part of Autism Empowerment -- a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to providing Acceptance, Enrichment, Inspiration and Empowerment within the autism and Asperger communities locally, regionally and worldwide. Today Autism and Scouting Radio talks with Autism Empowerment co-founders John and Karen Krejcha to get an update on all the excitement behind the scenes at Autism Empowerment over the past few months.http://www.autismempowerment.org We'll talk about: The unveiling of the new Autism Empowerment website How to plug into new Autism and Scouting training and support resources. Updates on the Autism and Scouting Leadership Training Kit being released in November 2013. The new Autism and Scouting Unit Locator. Reported stories of scouting success over the past few months. We are very excited about the positive momentum Autism Empowerment and Autism and Scouting are achieving and look forward to sharing this with you.  

Autism and Scouting Radio will be brining back on Air Sean Williams from the Three Fires Council, Foxfire District.  We will be talking about a new award that their District.  Sean has be a long time Autism and Special Needs Advocate and is the creator of the Great Race for Autism Awareness as well as a Crew advisor for a Special Needs Crew that has a focus on Life Skills.  We are so happy to have Sean back on Autism and Scouting Radio and we look forward to exploring the nuts and bolts behind the Special Needs Friendly Unit Award they are working on. 

Today we will be doing a review of the Autism and Scouting Program and will share the progress that we are making in 2013 to promote Autism Acceptance, Enrichment, Inspiration and Empowerment within the scouting world.  As April comes to a close and Autism Acceptance Month ends, we must never forget that Autism Acceptance is an ongoing goal. Each month we have seen an increase in the  spreading of autism acceptance and awareness within the scouting world and we look to keep the momentum going.  We will look at many different aspects of the Autism and Scouting program including the Autism and Scouting Leadership Training Kits and where we are in the process of their development. We'll highlight some of our recent outreach and give you an opportunity to call in with questions about our program and learn how you can get involved as a volunteer. Join our host and Autism and Scouting Program Director, John Krejcha and Autism Empowerment's Executive Director, Karen Krejcha for an inspiring and informative show.

We have a special return guest coming back to Autism and Scouting Radio. Sean Williams from Three Fires Council / Foxfire District will be coming back to talk about creating a new position within scouting that is being test piloted, Unit Special Needs Coordinator. They are hoping that the Boy Scouts of America will add this new position as a standard adult leadership position within scouting. The position of Unit Special Needs Coordinator is a new position for each unit to have in order to help scouts and parents better access the scouting program for those with special needs. We will talk with Sean about the new position and what the responsibilities will be.