St. Giles' Gate

The special needs program at our church started the Fall session yesterday.  This is a fairly new program, and so far we only have two participants.  Ian is one and Nicky is the other.  Nicky is at the other end of the autism spectrum, and I love having Ian interact with him.  Nicky  is a big brother at home, and even though he is younger than Ian, he applies that same dynamic with him.

Ian and Nicky after class in the Parish Hall

Over the summer one of the classes talked about Noah's Ark.  Ian was focused on "cats" and at the end of the lesson the whole class went to see the stained glass window by the front door.  Nicky was very excited to find a cat (or something sort of like one) in the window and to point it out to Ian.  It was so awesome!

While the boys are in class, Nicky's mom and I have a chance to chat and talk about the challenges we have with our boys.  Although the boys are in very different places, we share a lot of the same worries and concerns.  But we also share some of the quirky and endearing things they do.  I treasure that time.

Ian and Nicky

At the end of the class, the boys come out to get us and we all have communion.  It is a modified version, designed to be brief and meaningful to the children.  Instead of wafers and wine, there is homemade bread and apple juice.  Although Ian is not able to read along with the prayers, I am so impressed with how quietly and respectfully he sits.  I think he senses that this is a special time.  The priest and the teachers do an amazing  job with this program, and I am so thankful for it.  And I'm thankful that Nicky and Ian are now friends.