Hutton Honors College

Autism Mentoring Program Benefits Mentors & Mentees

When Alexander Murphy-Nakhnikian, a then freshman at IU, came to Hutton Honors College advisor Nigel Pizzini in 2003 and asked him to help start an autism mentoring program, Pizzini was more than willing. Murphy-Nakhnikian, who had begun mentoring a child with autism as a senior community service project in high school, understood the value of the relationship he had with his mentee. He wanted this friendship to continue at IU and also to promote others to follow in his footsteps. "I thought his idea was tremendous," says Pizzini. "I wanted to encourage other students to do likewise."

Pizzini had had his own mentoring experience in the past with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, and that was one of the reasons he was so eager to help with the creation of an autism mentoring program. "I know first hand the joy it gives me being a mentor," said Pizzini, "and I wanted to help make available that kind of experience for our students." He also wanted to help bring a level of professionalism and accountability to the program that Murphy-Nakhnikian would not have been able to achieve alone.

In partnership with the local Bloomington chapter of the Autism Society and the Monroe County Community School Corporation, Murphy-Nakhnikian and Pizzini were able to initiate the program. Now in its third year as part of the Hutton Honors College Community Service Program, the Autism Mentoring Program is thriving.

There are currently 18 IU student mentors paired up with children with some form of autism in the Bloomington area. Another seven will be paired shortly. Many of the mentors are female. Many of the mentees are male. Since autism affects three times as many males as females, Pizzini would like to encourage more male students to become mentors. "It's such a good experience for all concerned," he says.

For the kids, the program comes as a relief from the confines of their daily lives. "It doesn't have any kind of therapeutic goal. These kids often have those professionals in their lives," says Pizzini. "What they need is someone closer to their age who can just hang out and be their friend."

It is somewhat of a rigorous process to become a mentor. After filling out an application and being selected, students must participate in a training session about autism, have an interview with Pizzini, and undergo a precautionary criminal history check before they are paired with a child.

Katie Koors, a senior at IU, who mentored for two years and is now the student coordinator for the program, has experienced how important this mentor-mentee relationship is for the kids. "They aren't the popular ones in school and they aren't really outgoing usually," says Koors. "And to build a friendship with a college kid, that's really cool. They just have fun, period."

Mentors are expected to make a full year commitment upfront, so that the child will have a stable relationship on which he/she can depend. For someone thinking about becoming a mentor, this is a significant consideration. "People need to be ready to make this commitment," explains Pizzini. "You've got somebody who's waiting for you, whose whole week may be built around this outing."

Recently, the program has begun to offer group activities to make it easier for mentors and mentees to get together, share stories, and find common ground. These events include activities such as sailing on Lake Monroe and horseback riding. "I've definitely heard nothing but positive stories," said Koors. "They are more than willing to share their experiences, share their stories, and help others get involved."

Mentor Libby Hill tries to do a variety of activities with her mentee, like arts and crafts, horseback riding, and shopping. Through her time with the program, Hill has realized the value of its rewards. "It's taught me a lot," she says. "I also think each of us has gained a friend as well." Jordan Knight, another IU student mentor, cites positive changes as a benefit that he believes his mentee has gotten from their friendship with each other. "I'd say that he was very shy at first and now I feel like he can open up," says Knight. "I feel like he's been more outgoing and more responsive. We've also tried to do different things out of his comfort zone. I think he really enjoys the program."

Melissa Callahan, a Bloomington resident, first involved her two sons in the program last spring. Her experiences have been very encouraging, both for her boys and for herself. "You can't just hire the 12 year old girl down the street or the high school girl to baby-sit because they're not prepared for what they have to deal with," says Callahan, who finds relief in the fact that there are finally others she can trust to watch after her sons.

In the program's initial training session every mentor learns how to connect and communicate with the kids. After they've been paired, mentors are required to attend a monthly supervision session where they hear guest speakers, usually parents or experts, who help keep them informed. This training has allowed Callahan to trust that her sons are in safe hands when they go on outings. Both boys have swum at the YMCA, walked to get ice cream on campus, and played in the park with their mentors.

Callahan thinks that each of her sons takes something different from the mentoring program. For 7-year-old Ben, the program has offered companionship and something to look forward to. "He's just so excited to go be with her," Callahan said. "Ben would have Caitlin [his mentor] move in if he could." Ben's older brother Justin, 14, uses his mentor more as a peer, someone to call up on his cell phone and blow off steam with.

For the boys, and other mentees, weekly outings and group events are not just fun and games. They are helping to develop their social skills as well. According to Pizzini, taking a kid to a movie theater, buying the tickets, getting some popcorn, and watching a movie are activities that may seem mundane, but are thrilling for kids who may never have experienced such activities with someone they consider a friend.

"I think the big shock for my husband was that they [mentors] are not getting anything for participating in the program," said Callahan. "The fact that they'd just doing it because they want to is really nice, and surprising."

"I hope the program will continue after I leave here and I imagine it will because honors students have been very helpful in maintaining it," says Murphy-Nakhnikian, a May '07 graduate who has mentored during all his years at IU.

"The program will become a legacy of Alexander's involvement here at IU," Pizzini suggests.

Shannon Lee