This is my first post for the new 2010 school year.. feel free to send me suggestions/questions etc.. I have a 13 1/2 yr old with autism (diagnosed around 4 by school system) , almost 9 yr old with ADHD, a 4 yr old with autism (diagnosed at age 2 1/2 by the state), and a typical 3 yr old.
let me know when/where you want to begin!
Beth
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
end of semester
I'm guessing its the end of the semester; it was great to chat with you all and answer any questions you have; basically spread Autism Awareness where ever I can.
again, if any of you want to email me further throughout your education; please do so.. I never get tired of talking about my kids.. lol
thanks again.
beth
again, if any of you want to email me further throughout your education; please do so.. I never get tired of talking about my kids.. lol
thanks again.
beth
Friday, April 9, 2010
Self-Determination and Disability
One of the greatest challenges of rearing and teaching a child with a disability is knowing when to back away. Well-meaning parents and para professionals at times do too much for children with disabilities because they can't stand to see them become frustrated. They want to help.
One of our jobs as teachers and parents is to create independent learners. Children with disabilities, while being accommodated, must learn strategies to use on their own when they no longer have an IEP. Children must learn to make choices at home so that when they are no longer living with their parents (even in a group home or assisted living facility) they can function independently.
In my work as a college instructor, I have heard other professors state that students' parents call them to complain about a grade their child received in class, or parents are in other ways intruding into territory that the student should be covering themselves. Again, well-meaning parents sometimes try to create a perfect world for their children, but end up enabling them instead.
This article from PBS Teachers uses original research to convey the importance of self-determination in infancy. Tips for promoting self-determination are covered as well.
One of our jobs as teachers and parents is to create independent learners. Children with disabilities, while being accommodated, must learn strategies to use on their own when they no longer have an IEP. Children must learn to make choices at home so that when they are no longer living with their parents (even in a group home or assisted living facility) they can function independently.
In my work as a college instructor, I have heard other professors state that students' parents call them to complain about a grade their child received in class, or parents are in other ways intruding into territory that the student should be covering themselves. Again, well-meaning parents sometimes try to create a perfect world for their children, but end up enabling them instead.
This article from PBS Teachers uses original research to convey the importance of self-determination in infancy. Tips for promoting self-determination are covered as well.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
different challenges for elem/middle/high
ok.. so some random thoughts here.. just reading over many of the Autism websites I belong to.. on my facebook page I probably have 1/2 dozen and blog on some of them regularly.. I"ve noticed one imparticular has gotten pretty "catty" lately with she said/she said type stuff...
basically, I have to say there is NO RIGHT answer that works for all .. its whatever works for your family at that point in time and it will probably change year to year just as the child and his/her challenges change... I'm sure I am not telling you all something new..
but one of the biggest things I notice is the age groups and what the challenges are:
Elem: speech.. parents just want to hear their child say mom/dad/ bye etc..; behaviors and meltodowns; school and what should my child be "getting"
Middle school: SOCIAL!!!! the kids have the academics down because the parents have done probably 20+ IEP's by now; so they have the accomodations.. the kids need soical skills help; typical peer interaction; playing sports; band; dance; drama whatever the teen can do to get them out of the house and around their counterparts.
High School: Vocational/housing... parents have realized.. holy crap! my baby who didnt say a word until he was 4, is now 18 and getting ready to leave high school!!! (or age out at 21).. OH MY GOSH!! where will he go everyday??? what will he do?? who can he be with???
Autism, down syndrome; cerebal palsy; most of the people you will be working with all; will have a lifespan disability... depending on what age you choose to work in; you may encounter these issues...
basically, I have to say there is NO RIGHT answer that works for all .. its whatever works for your family at that point in time and it will probably change year to year just as the child and his/her challenges change... I'm sure I am not telling you all something new..
but one of the biggest things I notice is the age groups and what the challenges are:
Elem: speech.. parents just want to hear their child say mom/dad/ bye etc..; behaviors and meltodowns; school and what should my child be "getting"
Middle school: SOCIAL!!!! the kids have the academics down because the parents have done probably 20+ IEP's by now; so they have the accomodations.. the kids need soical skills help; typical peer interaction; playing sports; band; dance; drama whatever the teen can do to get them out of the house and around their counterparts.
High School: Vocational/housing... parents have realized.. holy crap! my baby who didnt say a word until he was 4, is now 18 and getting ready to leave high school!!! (or age out at 21).. OH MY GOSH!! where will he go everyday??? what will he do?? who can he be with???
Autism, down syndrome; cerebal palsy; most of the people you will be working with all; will have a lifespan disability... depending on what age you choose to work in; you may encounter these issues...
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Encourage sports to the person/family
We are very fortunate here in MB, because we have 1 of only a handful Miracle League Ball Fields. A specially designed ball field that is created for wheelchairs/walkers/etc.. that will accomodate most devices a special needs person would have. and the program which allows a young person with any disability to particpate in playing baseball.
I would highly recommend most families trying to find a local club/organization that offers assistance to kids like ours; either providing a mentor or allowing the child to use a family member/friend to be with them while playing and learning the rules of the game.
most areas have a special olympics team locally, the parent just needs to do a little digging and find these resources.
whether its a team or individual sport, the family can participate together; friends can come out and cheer; its a time when lessons are learned and some realize they "dont have it so bad".
we are very happy that Cooper found swimming, through the local chapter of Spec. Olymp. He has really come to enjoy it; its an outlet 1x a week while he practices he gets his "stims" out, works with a team at practice doing relays, drills, and learning the correct ways to turn, strokes and overall correct swim procedures.. he takes direction semi well from the coach; parents sit up in the observation deck (but I still see him and can relay to him to focus or stop screwing around).
He doesnt really get that he has a disability, because he's pretty much been able to do what most typical kids to up til now.. he has never wanted to do team sports through school, so we've never had the discussion of whether or not he can/can't. He "sees" at practice each week the different types of kids,... there are many with Down Syndrome and he can see physical characteristics; he has never asked what they have, but has made comments we have had to work on.... we have never sat him down and had the talk.. you have autism... this is the definition.. we have told him many many times.. your brain works different than most peoples... yes everyone is different, but yours works a little slower and you hear things different and react different, etc.. he knows I volunteer and do Autism things.. he calls it my work.. and when he's bored.. says.. oh no.. not more autism work.. usually when he doesnt want to go to another fundraiser /function.
some govt aide provides respite for families.. this is a good time to allow the child to have a non family member help them with their sport so the family can sit and enjoy..
I would highly recommend most families trying to find a local club/organization that offers assistance to kids like ours; either providing a mentor or allowing the child to use a family member/friend to be with them while playing and learning the rules of the game.
most areas have a special olympics team locally, the parent just needs to do a little digging and find these resources.
whether its a team or individual sport, the family can participate together; friends can come out and cheer; its a time when lessons are learned and some realize they "dont have it so bad".
we are very happy that Cooper found swimming, through the local chapter of Spec. Olymp. He has really come to enjoy it; its an outlet 1x a week while he practices he gets his "stims" out, works with a team at practice doing relays, drills, and learning the correct ways to turn, strokes and overall correct swim procedures.. he takes direction semi well from the coach; parents sit up in the observation deck (but I still see him and can relay to him to focus or stop screwing around).
He doesnt really get that he has a disability, because he's pretty much been able to do what most typical kids to up til now.. he has never wanted to do team sports through school, so we've never had the discussion of whether or not he can/can't. He "sees" at practice each week the different types of kids,... there are many with Down Syndrome and he can see physical characteristics; he has never asked what they have, but has made comments we have had to work on.... we have never sat him down and had the talk.. you have autism... this is the definition.. we have told him many many times.. your brain works different than most peoples... yes everyone is different, but yours works a little slower and you hear things different and react different, etc.. he knows I volunteer and do Autism things.. he calls it my work.. and when he's bored.. says.. oh no.. not more autism work.. usually when he doesnt want to go to another fundraiser /function.
some govt aide provides respite for families.. this is a good time to allow the child to have a non family member help them with their sport so the family can sit and enjoy..
Friday, March 5, 2010
Will learning about historic events hurt him mentally??
well my non profit has begun an afterschool group to get the higher functioning kiddos together to playgames; talk; do teen things.. cooper was very angry about me making him go.. kept saying he wants things to be "normal" .. which means he doesnt want anything new in his routine. I told him he could be brave and do this for me; after all I have been taking him to swimming every Tuesday night and I'm sure I'd rather stay home and do something else if I really wanted to.. he quickly decided he'd try it this 1 time. he was ok when I picked him up; very stimmy; scripting a tv show and waving his hands around.. so he went out front to have some quiet time before getting in the van with siblings. He said he would be willing to try it again; since they decided to go see Alice In Wonderland 3d at market commons this weekend.. he is seeing there are others like him and it scares him.. some have different "stims" and he doesnt quiet know what to do when they "go off"... we are talking about how everyone is different.. he says he doesnt like different people.. which is funny considering who its coming from.. lol
he has begun swimming for speical olympics every tues night for an hour they practice. he competes in competitions around the state; depending on where/when and if i can get away for a night to take him and find sitters etc.. they are on weekends; but when your husband works sundays it doesnt always work out. he swims backstroke and is pretty good. he has won several gold medals over the last few yrs and says.. "its what I do".. he refuses to consider any other sports as an option. he had to make adjustments because the usual coach has been out the last few weeks (lady) and he had to adjust to a man coaching and not really knowing him at all. he cried; splashed; was mean to the other swimmers; I pretty much leaned over the observation deck and reminded him.. we can leave and not come back at any time.. i know you are upset and scared of someone new; but we need to be flexible and it will be ok.. she will be back when she can.. she has many things to do as well as help you swim etc... he pulled himself together and was fine this last week when she didnt show up again.
he has a huge test on Africa - regions; temperate zones; rivers; religions (Islam) and who fouded it and so on... crazy for me to try to explain it to a kid that barely realizes there is another part of the world when he is in his own little world.. its one of the many things I struggle with... how much is too much when including him in "normal regular ed.?"... I mean this was our goal all along.. to keep him mainstreamed until he ages out at 21... but in the mean time he could care less about Africa and religion and 1000's of year ago.. he lives in the present and most kids can not fathom 1000's of years ago, let alone slavery and things like that.. yes it's history, but do I really want him to know and be scared of the events that he is reading about? some of the things are horrific and he cries about what people did to each other and if they can do it to him or me...
its a double edge sword... yes he is learning with his peers and taking tests and pretty much passing them and keeping up.. however, I'm wondering if it is affecting him mentally; psychologically?
he has begun swimming for speical olympics every tues night for an hour they practice. he competes in competitions around the state; depending on where/when and if i can get away for a night to take him and find sitters etc.. they are on weekends; but when your husband works sundays it doesnt always work out. he swims backstroke and is pretty good. he has won several gold medals over the last few yrs and says.. "its what I do".. he refuses to consider any other sports as an option. he had to make adjustments because the usual coach has been out the last few weeks (lady) and he had to adjust to a man coaching and not really knowing him at all. he cried; splashed; was mean to the other swimmers; I pretty much leaned over the observation deck and reminded him.. we can leave and not come back at any time.. i know you are upset and scared of someone new; but we need to be flexible and it will be ok.. she will be back when she can.. she has many things to do as well as help you swim etc... he pulled himself together and was fine this last week when she didnt show up again.
he has a huge test on Africa - regions; temperate zones; rivers; religions (Islam) and who fouded it and so on... crazy for me to try to explain it to a kid that barely realizes there is another part of the world when he is in his own little world.. its one of the many things I struggle with... how much is too much when including him in "normal regular ed.?"... I mean this was our goal all along.. to keep him mainstreamed until he ages out at 21... but in the mean time he could care less about Africa and religion and 1000's of year ago.. he lives in the present and most kids can not fathom 1000's of years ago, let alone slavery and things like that.. yes it's history, but do I really want him to know and be scared of the events that he is reading about? some of the things are horrific and he cries about what people did to each other and if they can do it to him or me...
its a double edge sword... yes he is learning with his peers and taking tests and pretty much passing them and keeping up.. however, I'm wondering if it is affecting him mentally; psychologically?
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Great Teachers
Among other topics, this week we are discussing what makes a great teacher. Can you tell us about some of Cooper's teachers that you thought were great? What made them great teachers?
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