I CAN Network

I CAN helped my son to find a place where he wasn’t just included – he was understood. – Parent of an I CAN mentee

For years, I searched for an activity where my autistic son could belong. He’s bright, funny, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of dinosaurs – but traditional activities never worked.

We tried everything. Dance group? He couldn’t handle the echoes of the screams or the tapping on the floor. Swimming? The smell of chlorine and the splashing water overwhelmed him. Even in a specialised disability class, we were asked to leave as he was simply “too much” for the group. We were always gently nudged out, told one-on-one might be better – as though being alone was the solution to being different.

Then we found the I CAN Online Mentoring Program. He joined at eight, the minimum age, and for the first time in his life, he belonged somewhere. He was never asked to leave, never expected to change for the comfort of others. If he wasn’t up to speaking, he could type, use text-to-speech, or just listen. He could even bring our dog along to sessions.

He’s been with the program for five years now. Every session, he laughs.

I CAN Online didn’t just give my child a social group – it gave him a place to be himself, unapologetically. And for me, it’s been like exhaling after years of holding my breath. We’ve finally found somewhere he’s not just included; he’s understood.

*From their parent’s perspective.