At the Family Enrichment Weekend each child has a companion for the entire event. Of all the essential elements of the Family Enrichment Weekend, the companion is the element that is most remembered and appreciated by staff, parents, and children.   Each child, regardless of age or ability level, is assigned a companion.   Companions fill the roles of friend and guide for each child and the family for the entire event.  For the nondisabled sibling, the companion provides that personal attention that lets the brother or sister know that their needs are equally important at this event. The companion arrives early Saturday morning and stays with the family for the entire Family Enrichment Weekend.   They are with the family during all family events and go with their assigned child to the children’s program. Because of the important role that the companion will play with the family the companions are college age or older.  A certain level of maturity is needed to talk to parents during the family activities and meals, as well as to care for the child during these times so that parents are able to enjoy the event without worrying about their child’s welfare.  It is equally important that the companion is personable, confident, outgoing, fun loving and energetic.    Much of the parent’s ability to enjoy the Family Enrichment Weekend will depend on how their child is enjoying the event. The parents must feel comfortable having their child spend part of their day with the companion.  The companion role is not to teach the child but to assist the child and family in enjoying their time at the Family Enrichment Weekend.    During family time, the companion will alleviate parental concerns by teaming with the child and enthusiastically sharing the experiences they had when they were away from the parents. A note about recruiting and training. College students make excellent companions and it is helpful if there is a fraternity, sorority, or college program that supports this type of civic engagement.   However, companions have also been recruited from military bases and hospitals where there are large numbers of military personnel.  They also make wonderful companions.  Flyers for recruitment can be posted on campus or sent to agencies that have access to volunteers.  Each companion completes a sign-up form and receives a   companion letter once they have completed all the paper work.  Sample flyers, letters and companions information can be accessed online using the links provided or can be found in Appendix A in the hard copy of the manual. The companion must commit to the entire event.  Once a child has bonded with a companion, even the most sophisticated teen is hurt if the companion leaves before the event is over. Because the time commitment of the companions is extensive, the training time prior to the event is kept to a minimum.    Training consists of an overview of the event, general information about autism, and the role of the companion.   The specific needs of each child are communicated at the event.  In lieu of more extensive pre-event training, there is extensive supervision at the event. There are two training opportunities for the companions.  The first training  is during the recruiting meetings where the staff talks to a class or group of young people about the event and what is expected.

The second training is done the morning of the event where the companion is walked through the schedule, the events, conduct expectations and emergency procedures.  It is recommended that police background checks be conducted for all companions.   Background checks can be done at the local police station or department of Health and Welfare.   The companions are given detailed information about their assigned child and a list of questions that they will need to ask the parents when they meet during the opening session.   Companions spend 30 minutes to an hour talking to the parents before they leave for the first session of the children’s program.   They see the parents again at lunch and dinner to discuss any other questions.  The parents are easily accessible if the companion has questions during the day. By seeking to understand and meet the needs of each child, the companion and child bond in a very short time. This relationship is promoted and maintained by the constant focus on understanding the child’s needs and meeting those needs throughout the day.

An example of such support occurred at one Family Enrichment Weekend when a five year-old child bit the companion after being with him for a short time. The parents were quickly contacted to see what the child wanted and what information the team was missing on this child. Once mom explained what he wanted and what had been missed, he was happy for the rest of the day. The following day the mother cried in one of the sessions.   She hadn’t told the staff beforehand that her child would bite because she was sure her family would not be allowed to attend the Family Enrichment Weekend.  When her child bit the companion, she thought her family would be asked to leave.  No one had ever come to her, after they had been bitten, to find out why her child was upset and ask her what they could do to help her child.

The companions are one of the most important elements of the Family Enrichment Weekend. We are very grateful for their service.