|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTISM FIRST STEPS
AUTISM DAILY NEWSLETTER
Thursday, November 22, 2001
Happy Thanksgiving!
INDEX:
* My Story: Discovering Nolan’s
Abilities
* A Thanksgiving Message
* IDEA: Speak Your Mind::Speak Now VIA KIDS_Advocate
* Some Programs Available at UCSD
* COMMUNICATION MADE EASY ©
* Talking To Your Pediatrician
*
************************************
My Story: Discovering Nolan’s Abilities
As parents of children with learning differences, we know we have our work cut
out for us. Raising confident, responsible kids often seems impossible as we
wipe away their tears of frustration while they stand on the sidelines watching
their peers accomplish goals seemingly unattainable to them. Helping My Son
ManageMy eight-year-old son Nolan is dyslexic. It’s difficult to watch him
struggle because he always tries his best. As I think back on my own childhood,
I remember being very much like him. Maybe that’s why I put so much effort into
finding ways to buffer the challenges he encounters. I try to show Nolan (a
born pessimist) the positive side of every situation. For example, I’ll say:
“You didn’t get three words wrong on your test -- you got ten correct,” or
“The beginning of the school year isn’t the end of the world or the end of fun
activities. It’s a new season of fun! Think about Halloween, fall camping, and
the holidays.” I also find timing is of the essence. If Nolan isn’t attentive,
we set his work aside until he’s more “on the mark.” Nolan is talkative,
over-sensitive, and has a difficult time adjusting to change because he’s very
anxious. Although tall for his age, Nolan is immature socially and physically.
This zaps his confidence. However, these traits don’t detract from his
outstanding work ethic and creativity. Encouraging His InterestsWe allow Nolan
“space” to entertain his interests. Right now it’s plumbing -- you read it
right -- plumbing! He spends countless hours digging up the yard and installing
copper pipes in every direction. He loves it, and he’s proud to impress his
friends with his endless knowledge of plumbing supplies. My husband Kevin is a
pipe fitter, so Nolan’s interest has a family connection. On weekends, they
review Nolan’s hand-drawn blueprints. They solder and install pipes, then they
test the final job. Our home is usually in disarray, but allowing Nolan to succeed
at anything is well worth the small inconvenience. I believe he enjoys
plumbing because no one judges his work. After all, don’t we all need a little
of that freedom? Enjoying Family ActivitiesNolan prefers his father’s company
when they’re fishing or tackling a job around the house. But I’m Nolan’s
companion of choice when it’s time to do homework or if we just need quiet
time. He tags along with his older brother, Drew, but also enjoys the company
of his younger cousins.You don’t need to spend a fortune to entertain your
kids. During the winter we’re outside as much as possible enjoying physical
activities like sledding, hiking, and ice-fishing. Warm weather brings
opportunities to camp, swim, or float down a nearby river. I believe keeping
active reduces stress levels and teaches the importance of healthy living. Our
entire family enjoys “down time” spent outdoors. And for Nolan, it’s a needed
respite from the effort he puts into his schoolwork. Nolan loves to explore the
outdoors. In fact, he often entertains his classmates and teachers with stories
about his “finds,” such as an old fishing lure, a snail shell, or a sighting of
a migratory bird.Keeping a Healthy PerspectiveI realize Nolan’s education is
important. It can’t be the sole focus, though. If it were, we’d all be
depressed. A friend of mine who also has a son with a learning difference keeps
asking herself, “Why did this happen to my son?” My response is, “If you truly
feel that way, think about how a parent of a child with leukemia or cerebral
palsy feels.” Having a learning difference is life-changing, not
life-threatening. When I reach the end of my rope, I try to consider things may
not be as bad as they appear at the moment. Nolan’s struggle may last a
lifetime. It’s important to take things day-by-day and not become overwhelmed
by thoughts of his future.
About the AuthorAnn Hansen is a graphic designer who left her career to stay at
home with her two sons and has never regretted it. She’s highly involved with
volunteer efforts in her Pennsylvania borough and local schools. For Ann,
life’s greatest pleasures include enjoying good food and exploring new areas
with her family.
©Schwab Learning 2001
Created: 11/19/2001
http://www.schwablearning.org/Articles.asp?r=381&g=3&d=3
************************************
A Thanksgiving Message
Author Unknown
"WHAT AM I GRATEFUL FOR?" People in stores who
don't stare or question my child's behavior. Families members who understand
and support myself and my child. The wonderful people who provide respite care
so that families like ourscan regroup and find the strength to endure another
day. Professionals who go the extra mile to supply us with help and
resourcesand understand the stress of having a child with a disability, and do
notjust give us another label or say, I don't know what to tell you, I
havenever seen a child like this before and than say, "...that will be
$200.00,please pay the receptionist and out the door we go with nothing.
Educators, who are willing to learn and understand about our
child'sdisability. Anyone can attend a conference or a workshop, but how
lucky aparent is for those educator's and community agencies who can bring
thatknowledge back to the table and classrooms and apply it. A team that can
park their ego's at the door and roll up their sleeves andsay, "how can we
BEST serve this child?" In a perfect world, programs aredesigned for
the "individual" child and families, not the other wayaround.
Services should be available to "all" families of children
withdisabilities and "not" just the one's that are lucky enough to
have parentswho can afford to provide attorney's or scream the loudest. Friends
who are "always" there for us and not just in the good times.
Pityparties are fun, but when you lose all the battles and "win" the
war, thatis when you really need your friends to celebrate in your
triumph. Whenyour child eats from a spoon for the first time, or says a
word, orcompletes a sentence or goes to the bathroom for the first time ...
theseare "major" accomplishments for families like ours, as some of
our childrenacquire these skills many years later, some before milestones and
somenever will. THANK GOD for "our" friends that our always
there for us. Most importantly? Thank God for the opportunity to have a
support grouplike this that reaches so many families. To the Universities,
Hospitals, Foundations, Society's and most of all toall of you
"parents" who have supported us. have always been there for meand
eachother. To all the families and victims of September 11th you will
"never" beforgotten worldwide. Let us remember what makes us
strong and not dividesus and "what" we have to continue to be
thankful for. So to all of "us" .....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
************************************
IDEA: Speak Your Mind::Speak
Now VIA KIDS_Advocate
Citizenship and patriotism are more than just flying flags. They
demand participation. The war on terrorism is also about protecting
our right to participate in our civic affairs. We have a
responsibility to make our opinions known and to voice our concerns.
IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, is in the
process of reauthorization. The Federal Department of Education is
asking parents for their input. This is your chance to be heard.
I am urging everyone to complete the e-mail form at
http://www.specialkidsla.com/ideareauthorization.htm.
No one has
nothing to say.
-if you feel it is working and you like it the way it is, please tell
them.
-if your child has been helped by IDEA, please thank them.
-if you have suggestions on how it could be improved, please give
them your ideas.
-if you feel it is burdensome, please let them know.
Our children's right to a free, appropriate, public education is
governed by this law. Parent participation in the IEP process was
strengthened in the 1997 reauthorization, as was access to the
general curriculum. What will the 2002 reauthorization include?
Education Secretary Rod Paige is in favor of more funding for IDEA,
but first he feels it must be fixed. Researchers at Harvard have
testified to Congress that too many minorities are being classified
as having learning disabilities. Various members of Congress want to
make it easier to suspend or expel kids for discipline issues.
Numbers count. It is important that the Dept of Education hear from
as many parents as possible. Everyone has something to say. The
letter is preformatted to make responding as easy as possible.
Mike Savory
AWAK(e)A (c) 2001
"Advocacy With Abundant Keys to
Excellence and Access"
Offering Advocacy in: Community Service,
Student Advocacy, Facilitation & Mediation
(Volunteer)
************************************
Some Programs Available at UCSD
Treatment of Echolalia Study
This research project offers assessment and treatment for
children with autism who use immediate echolalia. Immediate echolalia is
when a child repeats something that someone else just said. Children
participating will be assessed to identify situations in which they currently
use echolalia. An individualized treatment for echolalia will then be
developed based on assessment information, in which children will be trained to
use appropriate language in place of echolalia. Participants will come to
the laboratory for two 2-hour visits per week for approx. four months.
To participate, children must:
*have a diagnosis of autism
*use immediate echolalia in at least 25% of speech
*be between the ages of 4 and 6 years
Contact: Michelle Sullivan at sullivan@psy.ucsd.edu
Imitation and Play Training
This research project is designed to assess the efficacy of an
imitation training program and its effect on language, play and peer
interaction skills. Participation in this study will include child
training in imitation, language, and play using both discrete train and pivotal
response training. Treatment does not require parent participation.
The children are required to come to the laboratory three times per week for
1.5 hours. This program will run approximately 20-30 weeks.
To participate, children must:
*be between the ages of 2 and 4 years
*have a diagnosis of autism
*have difficulty with imitation
*not have a diagnosis of severe or profound mental retardation
Contact Brooke Ingersoll at bingerso@ucsd.edu
************************************
COMMUNICATION MADE EASY ©
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN FRUSTRATED WITH
MISPLACED OR DISORGANIZED PICTURES FOR YOUR COMMUNICATION SYSTEM?
You and your child need a user-friendly, easy
to use communication binder that is organized to make communicating fast and
fun! BENEFITS OF HAVING AN EASY AND ORGANIZED BINDER INCLUDE:
Pictures are always located in the same place which
eliminates frustration while searching for "words".
It is easier to
recognize when pictures are lost or need to be replaced.
Categories and colours
make finding and putting pictures away much easier than in the past!
Sentence strip is
located on the front of the binder for easy access.
Binder is small
therefore portable.
You can use a number of different sizes and types of pictures
COMMUNICATION MADE EASY ©
supports many types of picture communication
systems. PCS ~ Boardmaker Picture
This CD ROMs
Your own PhotographsCommunication Made Easy ©
will transfer the picture communication system of
your choice, put it into a Fitzgerald Key and add to your very own binder.
Pages will be totally organized by skill.
Customizable: we will be happy to look at incorporating other
types of pictures into your child's binder. We will also customize the size of
binder. Coming soon...Themed Binders: Going to School, Going to a Restaurant,
Going to Grandma's.To read more about the Fitzgerald Key, go to this page: http://www.bbbautism.com/pecs_fitzgerald_key.htm.
For more information, contact Dawn GutowskiCell
# 905-868-2282
Phone # 905-868-8370
E-mail: dawngutowski@hotmail.com
************************************
Talking
To Your Pediatrician
Make
the most of your time with your doctor
From About Pediatrics
In medical school,
doctors learn how to 'present' their patients as they tell more senior doctors
what is wrong with the patient. This usually begins with a chief complaint, or
the main reason that you came to the doctor, such as my 'child has a fever ' or
'he has a bad cough.' The chief complaint is followed by the 'history of
present illness,' which includes what other symptoms he has, when they began,
and what makes the symptoms better or worse.If you learn to 'present' your
child to your Pediatrician at the beginning of the visit, then that will leave
more time for your doctor to ask some follow up questions, examine your child,
and then discuss what is wrong and what the treatment should be.
Read this helpful article here: http://pediatrics.about.com/library/weekly/aa110701a.htm
************************************
Autism Awakening, Autism FIrst Steps Newsletter,
or any staff do not endorse any individuals, groups or programs.
References regarding programs, meetings, resources, research, opinions,
treatment, etc., should not be interpreted as an indication of
endorsement. They are provided for informational purposes only. This is
an attempt to keep the nation advised to all diagnostic, treatment, therapy,
educational,
options available as well as legislative autism updates and more.
To View
Newsletter Policies they are located at the Newsletter
Website:
Direct Link:: Autism
First Steps Newsletter
http://autismawakeninginia.bizland.com/autismfirststepsnewsletter/
To have
friends, Family, or professionals join:
1. they can go to the above link
2. They can go to the Newsletter Group page located at:
Direct Link::
Yahoo!
Groups : AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter
3 Send a e-mail to AutismAwakening@aol.com and ask to be subscribed to
the free online daily newsletter
Visit one of the largest websites Commited to bringing you the latest in news,
options, and techniques, and more on Autism located at:
Direct Link:: Autism Awakening 4 Kids
www.AutismAwakening.com
To Submit a
story, alert, readers post, or advertisement please e-mail AutismAwakening@aol.com
To be removed reply to this e-mail and requested to be removed from the list.
To
unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
AutismFirstStepsAutismNewsletter-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Your use of
Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
Terms of Service.
ALL
INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE
KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO
VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU
ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.