Ethan Shows How It’s Done

Ethan is a star in the Rowell Family Empowerment office. When he steps through the door he brings love and smiles with him. Because he has been an active leader in his own IEP Meetings California Services for Technical Assistance and Training (CalSTAT) recently highlighted one of his achievements in the Summer 2015 edition of their “Special EDge” publication. And for good reason too!

His Mom is Gina Grecian, SLATE Program Manager here at Rowell Family Empowerment. And she has been training him up to be an active participant in his IEP Meetings since he was in third grade. That’s when he first began attending his IEPs. By the time he was a junior in high school Ethan was taking charge, handling introductions and leading those meetings to the extent that he was able.
Ethan graduated high school and has since moved on. He turned 21 in August 2015 and is now working at his “man job” collecting “money checks.” Periodically he travels the state to speak at autism conferences and trainings taking to the stage to tell people about his own involvement in student-led IEPs and what he has accomplished since exiting special education services in 2013.

Ethan and Smokey the Bear.

These days he is a proud Office Technician working in Redding area grammar schools. He enjoys his job.

Ethan also moonlights as a creative artist. Some of his artwork can be found hanging in the Northern Region Headquarters of Cal Fire as well as the UC Davis MIND Institute in Sacramento and Redding City Hall.

(In my best announcer’s voice) Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for Ethan Grecian!