Cub Advancement w/Speech Problem?

[WVBeaver05]

There has been some discussion on this forum of Boy Scout advancement for Scouts with varying disabilities, but I don't recall seeing any on Cubs. And because of out of town assignments at the time, my involement with my son as a Cub was minimal and my personal Cub experience is sooo long ago as to be a vague memory.

So, what is your opinion of the following situation where there is a Tiger Cub who does not speak more than a few words. He has been evaluated in various ways medically and by the school system and is in speech therapy. He can (and does) communicate in various ways - including writing (at about the level of most 1st graders) and with some formal sign language and some informal signs.

The Bobcat requirements state:

Learn and say the CUB SCOUT PROMISE ...

Say the LAW OF THE PACK. Tell what it means.

Tell what WEBELOS means

etc.

On the other hand, I find this idea mentioned in different ways in many places, but put quite clearly on the USSSP web page.

Remember, there are NO performance requirements for a boy. Simply participating and doing one's best in an activity constitutes completion.

So, what is the proper interpretation? And is it spelled out somewhere (like in writing, formal policy, etc.)?

Thanks for any input.

YiS

[Mrw]

My opinion:

The Cub Scout motto is "Do Your Best."

If this boy can to the best of his ability repeat the Law of the Pack, and Cub Promise (even if he cannot do it the whole way and properly) and communicate (in whatever manner works for him)some understanding of what it means, then he has completed the requirement.

The scouts with disabilities policy allows you to modify requirements for the cubs if need be due to permanent disabilities. Any child who needs on-going therapy for something at age 6-7 should qualify for this.

[riverwalk]

Interesting problem. But I would also follow Mrw's answer.

[lambeausam]

Just a thought, but what about having the den learn it together in sign language. For the verbal scouts, it would give them a new opportunity and for the non-verbal scout, it would level the communication field. Depending on the rank, they may also qualify for an elective requirement!

Sam

[riverwalk]

Good thoughts. It's all about them learning, and doing their best. I think any ideas that meet the purposes and objectives (and are safe), are worth a try.

[mhjacobson]

The National policy on scouts with disabilities covers ALL scouts -- thus the advancement program, with the consent of the district and council advancement committees can be modified to fit the individual needs of the scout. In order to do this, in this case, you will need a copy of the speech and language evaluation as well as the Individualized Educaton Program that lists all the accommodations and modifications that are being used for the scout in school. The cubmaster then should write a letter explaining the need for the modifications and what are the proposed modifications (i,e, writing instead of saying the CS Promise). You will also need a letter of approval from the parents, and the pack committee chair approving the approved modifications.

This should be submitted as one packet to the district advancement chair, who should write a letter of endorsement (after it is reviewed by the district advancement committee) and sent to the council advancement committee who needs to approve the modifications.

Since, as you may realize, that this takes some time, I recommend that you take all of the current requirements and see if others might need modifications AND then take the next CS rank and do the same and submit all of this at one time.