Parent Autism Blog

Had Your I.E.P? Part Two

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog concerning the dreaded I.E.P meeting and a seminar I attended about I.E.P meetings. Part one was a basic summery of the information I learned at the seminar. There was a lot of information to cover and I found that I could not cover it in just one blog! So, I promised a part two and I am just now getting around to it. Sorry for the delay but it has been a few busy weeks around here plus...due to my lack of organizational skills here at home, I needed to locate one of Sir Dantes' I.E.P Progress Reports.

Now, I have the report and the time (I hope)to complete the blog. If I can't; well, there may be a part three.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

Had Your I.E.P?

Oh, the dreaded I.E.P meeting. Horror! Fights! And, a lot of other bad things....

If you are new to the world of special needs and education, the I.E.P stands for "Individual Education Program". If you know what it is, you have probably heard a lot of negative things about them. If you have attended one, you may have had a horrible, frustrating experience. We attended our first one at the beginning of Sir Dantes' kindergarten year, and I have to admit, it wasn't that bad. My biggest issue was trying to "read" the I.E.P.

Knowing that we have several years of I.E.P meetings ahead of us, I decided to attend a seminar at Middle Tennessee State University concerning the subject. I have decided to share my experience with you in hopes that it may help you out.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

A Good Day at School

I would like to share with you an excerpt from a very recent email I received from Sir Dantes' special education teacher.

"He is still having good days and some really bad days. Yesterday was a pretty good day. During math he did not want to do his work so he ripped it up and then he will start head butting, kicking, and scratching to try to escape. But that was just the one moment yesterday. Some days it can go on like that all day. A lot of times it is just in the mornings, when we are doing the most work, that his behavior is the worst. I feel that sometimes the bad behavior is when he is seeking sensory or attention, and still that he is tired. We try to tell him to ask for squeezes or tickles, not have the bad behavior before it to get it later. I do feel like we have come a long way and if we stay consistent that we will continue seeing improvement."

Mmmm...I feel sorry for her on the bad days because I know what it can be like.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

Conversations With Sir Dantes

"Hello, how are you?"

"Fine, how 'bout you?"

"Good."

So goes the typical "what's up" conversation. Many of us have conversations like this several time a day. We know. We see people we know and we ask how they are. We know that this is not the time for a lengthy conversation about how you are really doing. That can wait for later when you have time.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

It's Okay, He's Autistic

I have blogged about bedtime at our home many, many times. It's a pretty normal activity; much the same as your routine probably. However, the other night the routine was shaken up when Ms. Maxie went to give Sir Dantes a good-night "kiss on the brain".

After baths, teeth-brushing, vitamins, and so forth, I was tucking Sir Dantes into the bed when Ms. Maxie came in to give him a little kiss. Usually, Sir Dantes lets her but this one particular night he punched her square in the nose! Hard! OMG! I was shocked! So shocked I am using OMG in my blog! It brought little tears to her eyes as she shouted out "Ouch! That hurt Sir Dantes", and grabbed her nose. I immediately told Sir Dantes to tell his sister he was sorry.

"I sorrwee Axie", he said.

I asked Ms. Maxie if she were okay and she said yes, and that it was okay because he is autistic.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

We're All Autistic

Oh, what is that saying?..."The apple doesn't fall far from the tree". That's it...the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Who said that? Well, I am not quite sure but it appears (after a quick Google search) to be of German origin; or maybe Arabic or Turkish origin. Regardless, whoever said it first was a wise man or woman.

Quite frankly, I could care less who said it and rather focus on what it means in relation to autism.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

Being Happy

Sometimes I sit back and think when was the last time I was truly happy. When was the last time I felt at peace? Quite honestly, I am not sure. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the "politics" of autism that I sometimes forget to sit back and think about what makes me happy anymore.

Whatever happened to my days of being carefree and spontaneous? It can still be easy to do, I suppose, if I just could let go. But, alas, it is easier said than done at times. I read an article tonight from another mother who has a child with autism who decided to focus on some positive aspects. It got me to thinking.

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.

The Happy Dance

Stimming: "The term "stimming" is short for self-stimulatory behavior, sometimes also called "stereotypic" behavior. In a person with autism, stimming usually refers to specific behaviors such as flapping, rocking, spinning, or repetition of words and phrases."

I found this definition on one of the plethora of sites available on the internet regarding autism. In general, stimming is associated with negative situations or emotions such as being in a loud room or overly stressed. We also tend to think of stimming as something only autistic people do. This is not generally correct.

If you really think about it, almost all of us stim in some way. One site I read gave examples of hair-twirling or finger tapping as stimming actions. I hair-twirl a lot!

Original post blogged on AutismEpicenter.com.