Ortonville senior Katrina Hibbs sticks her tongue out at Micah Nickel, 6, of Shepherd after playing games both dressed up in costumes Tuesday morning at the Nickels' home. Hibbs, studying at the School of Education, has been tutoring Micah for two years when his homeschooling first began. "He has progressed so much in the past few years," Hibbs said. "The best part about being with Micah is knowing that you're changing someones life, even if he doesn't realize it, I know I do." (Photos by Victoria Zegler/Staff Photographer)
Tutoring 6-year-old Micah Nickel is more than just a volunteer job for Katrina Hibbs.
Working with Micah has taught her what type of teacher she wants to be after graduation.
The Ortonville senior is one of 15 Central Michigan University students who teaches Micah fundamental social skills to help treat his autism.
In 2009, Micah?s parents, Jennifer and Chris Nickel, contacted Connections that Count, the special education active service learning program offered by CMU that brings student volunteers into local homes.
?It?s amazing the progress he?s made in two years,? Hibbs said. ?He?s gone from being a shy boy who wouldn?t talk or touch you, to outgoing and social.?
The Nickel family taught students to use the Autism Treatment Center?s Son-Rise Program to develop Micah?s four social essentials: eye contact, communication, interactive attention span and flexibility.
Micah Nickel, 6, stares intently at one of his board games waiting for his turn Tuesday morning at the Nickels' home in Shepherd.
For two hours a day, five days a week, Micah learns various social skills without realizing it through activities students play with him that slowly bring him out of his ?world.?It?s important to do things he wants to do and make him happy, since the goal is for him to be social and want to spend time with you, Hibbs said.
His mother, Jennifer, said she is impressed with the results of the program.
In the beginning, Micah?s social skills ranked between a two and three out of five, and now they rank between a four and a five out of five, she said.
Hibbs said she is also impressed with the change she and her fellow students have implemented.
Micah is not the only child benefitting from the program. Connections that Count reaches out to children with disabilities and their families in Mount Pleasant, recommended by teachers in public schools and the health department.
Counseling and Special Education Instructor Joan Hogan unintentionally founded the program in 2002 when a friend called asking for help in taking care of a special needs child. Over the past nine years, the program has continued to blossom.
?There is a lot of enthusiasm and passion within our college,? Hogan said.
Although the program is associated with CMU?s special education program, all committed CMU students can volunteer, no matter what they are studying.
Hogan said she was happily surprised with the number of students who got involved with the program, especially those studying general education.
?We want special needs children to be able to have a life like any other child,? Hogan said. ?By taking them out into the community, they are able to have the experiences typical children do. It?s a great way to make a difference.?
Similar to real life, the volunteers must decide what the best approach is for both the child and for the parent in each individual family.
?Students are exposed to a lot throughout this program,? said Holly Hoffman, counseling and special education adjunct. ?When they go into the work field, they will be able to handle situations with ease and with confidence.?
Despite the professional benefits, Hibbs said the best part is knowing her work is changing someone?s life.
?I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing, inspiring little boy,? she said.
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Shelby Miller
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