Does participating in 4-H communication projects develop higher self- esteem and self-confidence?   A resounding YES! For Boyd County 4-H member Aiden.

Of the many life skills that 4-H seeks to teach youth, 4-H seems to do a particularly good job in the area of communication (Boyd, Herring, &Briers,1992;Fitzpatrick,Hatch Gagne, Jones, Lobley & Phelps,2005).

Boyd County 4-H school clubs with demonstration projects are the largest 4-H program conducted throughout the club year for Boyd County 4-H.  Nearly 1300 students participate in the public speaking projects.  Public speaking allows us to make connections.   Without communication skills, the ability to progress in the working world, and daily life would be nearly impossible especially with an autism spectrum disorder.  Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior, difficulty with communication and interaction with other people.

Boyd County 4-H offers all students the opportunity to participate in school clubs and projects including special needs classes which include many students with autism spectrum disorder.  The demonstration projects are no different.  Aiden, a middle school student, was given the opportunity to participate in the 4-H demonstration project and was excited to do so.  Aiden chose to participate in the 4-H project.

Aiden began preparing his demonstration and practicing “How to Fold A Towel”.  The Boyd County 4-H staff, school staff and his family assisted him.  The result was Aiden winning 4-H School Champion in his division.   Aiden’s mother told the Boyd County 4-H agent that this was the best thing that has happened to Aiden at school.  His mother said that he had many disorders and must make many trips from their Ashland, Kentucky home to Columbus, Ohio for therapy and treatment of the disorders.  Aiden’s mother said that his self-confidence and self-esteem was better than it had ever been even when participating in sports teams!

Boyd County 4-H provided a talented middle school aged student an opportunity to increase his self-confidence and self-esteem through the 4-H school club demonstration project.  Aiden just happen to have Autism too.