Autistic teen set to graduate from Fort High

Next month, he will don his purple cap and gown and, like his peers, proudly walk across the stage to receive his high school diploma.
While this might not seem like a difficult feat for most students, for 19-year-old Veryan Erwin, who struggles with autism, finishing his high school education demonstrates years of hard work both inside and outside the classroom.
And he admits much of his success is due to the assistance he has received from Transitional Services available through Community Living Fort Frances and District.
“Community Living helped me with everything,” he said, noting employee Aileen Perusse offered assistance with everything from school to work.
“Without Community Living, I’m not sure what I would be doing,” Erwin admitted.
Perusse said Community Living is an adult service provider in the area, and Transitional Services is just one of the many services offered.
Transitional Services assists youth aged 14-27.
“It provides a service for planning while an individual is going through high school,” Perusse explained, noting every year is different.
She met with Erwin before he entered Grade 9 at Fort Frances High School to help him prepare for the transition.
“I found that she helps us to look toward the future—how you are going to achieve and make the most out of your school years,” said his mother, Marilyn Erwin.
For instance, Perusse accompanied the family to a meeting regarding Veryan’s Individual Education Plan.
“Sometimes families get exhausted,” Mrs. Erwin admitted. “She was there to advocate for us and help us so we didn’t feel as though we were walking alone. . . .
“She spoke for us and with us.”
With Perusse’s help, school administration allowed Veryan to have a free period each year in order to maintain his focus when he was in the classroom. Of course, that extended his high school career, but proved to be a positive modification when it came to his educational success.
Veryan’s father, Dave Erwin, explained people who are autistic find it more difficult to change and adapt, which is why the family sought assistance from Community Living as their son entered high school.
The teen was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. His parents were told he probably would never speak. Then they were informed it was unrealistic for the school to teach him to read and write.
But Veryan overcame these obstacles and continues to grow every day.
“It’s difficult for people with autism to socialize because they are seen as eccentric and are often misunderstood,” Marilyn Erwin explained. “But Veryan is very good about educating and making people aware.
“He says, ‘I have autism, but it’s not all of who I am.’”
Those with autism have brains that process information differently. And because of this, Community Living helped Veryan through high school—a time that’s very important in any teenager’s development.
“We set up resources and co-ordinate services,” Perusse noted. “There’s an individual planning process for each family and individual because each one is unique.”
Within Transitional Services, the individual’s goals are revisited each year to determine if they were achieved and to set new ones.
“We help the individual to stretch and grow, and explore ideas they might be scared of,” Perusse added.
For Veryan, she helped encourage him to take his driver’s test.
Since people with autism are easily distracted, driving can be a challenge and often scary. But Veryan again prevailed and now holds his driver’s permit.
Community Living also helped Veryan develop friendships and social contacts through programs like “Best Buddies,” and offering suggestions for things to do with friends.
They also offered guidance for locating funding to hire a special services worker and provided assistance when Veryan decided to enter the workforce on a part-time basis.
He was able to work through Supported Employment through Community Living, and has held positions in groundskeeping and paper routes.
“We didn’t have to worry when he went out for a summer job,” Dave Erwin said.
In addition, Perusse suggested to the family that Veryan have a mentor to guide and help him.
With a strong interest in radio, he fell under the wing of the radio station manager at KXBR, the contemporary Christian station across the river in International Falls, Mn.
From there, Veryan became involved in a variety of volunteer projects, such as offering assistance at the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and Rainycrest, as well helping with preparations for the annual community Christmas dinner.
But his favourite volunteer project is being a part of Icebox Radio Theatre in International Falls. In fact, Veryan had a starring role in a recent production and soon will be going to Minneapolis with the cast to perform at a conference there.
Veryan will continue to explore his interest in radio and the media when he heads off to college this September to take a broadcasting course.
And, of course, Community Living is helping him prepare for this next transition in his life, as well.
Marilyn Erwin said with Perusse’s guidance, they spoke with the special needs program at the college and Veryan is able to extend the two-year course over three years.
“You don’t grow out of autism, but you learn to cope with it,” she stressed.
Perusse also helped Veryan apply for the Anne Stafford “Light Up My Future” bursary, which he was awarded.
“It’s for students with intellectual disabilities going on to post-secondary education,” she explained. “Each year, Community Living Fort Frances has candidates that are eligible.
“We have had three students from our community successfully apply for this bursary.”
And Perusse stressed she has enjoyed assisting Veryan on his journey thus far.
“It’s been a privilege to work with this family,” she remarked, adding once Veryan is at college in Thunder Bay, he won’t be obtaining the services from the local Community Living office any more.
“It’s about getting to know who they are and respecting their beliefs and how they love their lives.”
She added Community Living Fort Frances has been a community resource and service provider for people with many different intellectual disabilities since 1965.
“We try to work together with other organizations for the same outcome,” she said. “We try to give people something to be hopeful about. . . .
“We’ve had many success stories and we’re continuing to try to provide the best services we possibly can.”
Marilyn Erwin noted she definitely would recommend Community Living’s service to other families.
“Maybe there are families that don’t know where to start,” she remarked. “And it’s Community Living that has helped us stay connected to the bigger picture.
“Without them, I wouldn’t have known where to start.”
May is Community Living Month. For more information about available services, call 274-5556.