Saturday, July 2, 2011

First week of summer school = SUCCESS!

"Any rough times are behind you"
How poignant is THAT fortune?! hahahaha....

Well - the first week of summer school is OVER! :)

Ashton had a pretty good week, with only one real meltdown in the computer lab. NOT BAD!

He went on to have a good day on Thursday.. so he got to go see Cars 2 as his reward!!! It was a really cute movie and Ashton said "I want to see it again!" and Holden said "it was better than the first!"; to which I laughed because when I took them to see the original Cars at the movie theater, Holden fell asleep. He was only 4years old at the time and the movie is nearly 2hours long; he just couldn't quite make it through. Hahaha...

But yes - summer school is going pretty well! He was supposed to of seen his ESY OT at school on Thursday; I need to get ahold of her to see how it went. ESY teacher should be starting this week and well, who knows about ESY speech. Still haven't heard anything so I'm guessing one hasn't been found. Guess that means we'll be looking at compensatory services near the end of summer.

Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July weekend everybody!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I happened upon this blog post yesterday

It was titled Dear School Personnel, Community Members and Neighbors. I happened upon it from a friend's Facebook page who had linked to it. I have copied it in it's entirity here as it was written by Marianne, from The Life Unexpected: Raising a Special Needs Child. I plan to send this to my son's last year school teacher and will send it to his teacher in the fall as well as to any of the administrators that will deal with him on a day to day basis. It very poignantly describes what every person who knows a special needs child, or will come in contact with a special needs child should know. If you choose to copy this letter or blog post, please give credit to the ORIGINAL WRITER, as I have done above. Thank you!

To Whom it May Concern,
I am the parent of a special needs child.  I was overwhelmed, confused, heart broken and struggling to unravel the complexities before me.
Please do not pass judgement of me without knowing why I did not attend the school PTA breakfasts or community picnics.  Please take a few minutes to understand why I did not take you up on your offer to have lunch or grab a cup of coffee.  Although we see each other in the supermarket or at school functions, I don’t think you really ever knew me, actually, I can guarantee that you did not know me because just as my child was different, so was I.
I was in survival mode to keep my family in tact and to give my child the best quality of life possible.
I was presented with parental decisions that have torn me apart and kept me up more nights than I can possibly remember.
I had spent most days of the week at therapy and doctors appointments and most nights up researching treatments and medication options.
I was forced into isolation at times due to the stigma and misconceptions that are epidemic in our society.
I became proficient at prioritizing my life and learning to let the little things go, to look at others with compassion instead of tabloid material and to turn a blind eye to the stares or ignorant comments.
I did the best I could.
I survived.
I am one of the lucky ones, my child has blossomed and has exceeded all our expectations.
I have now become strong, I have become confident and I have become a fierce advocate for parents of special needs children.  The growth did not come without much pain and many tears but it came.
So I ask you, please
The next time you see a parent struggling with a raging child, a child terrified to go into school, a child making odd movements or sounds, a child that seems to be in a world of their own… .Be kind.  Give a smile of recognition for what that parent is going through.  Ask if there is anything you can do to help, give them a pat on the hand or offer for them to go ahead of you on line.
The next time you have a birthday party for your child remember that their child has a hard time with a lot of sensory issues and social situations.  Please send their child that invitation and know that more times than not they will not be able to attend but appreciate being included.  Understand that in order for their child to go to the party they may need to stay for a little while and please make them feel welcome.  When they let you know that their child cannot make the party consider inviting that child for a one on one playdate or an outing at the park.
The next time you are grading homework papers please understand that their child struggles, some with learning disabilities others with the exhaustion of  their disorders or the obsession with perfectionism.  The Perfectionism is not necessarily to have the answers right but to have it “feel” right for them.  They have spent hours doing what most can do in ten minutes. A paper returned with red circles and comments only hurts a child’s self esteem and causes school anxiety. Please understand that when they see the school come up on their caller ID their hearts sink, remember to tell them about all the gains their children are making as well as their deficits.  Take a minute before that call and know that they appreciate all you do and want  a collaborative  relationship in their child’s education.
The next time you are in the teachers lounge, please do not discuss their child.  Please do not make negative comments about their parenting or their child’s behavior, it gets back to them and it gets back to other parents in their community.
The next time you pass the cafeteria and see their child sitting alone please consider inviting that child to eat lunch in your classroom and be your helper that period.  Consider working with  guidance counselor to set up a lunch buddy group in a different area.
The next time they are at the CSE meeting planning their chid’s IEP know that they are educated, informed and confident knowing special education law.  Know that they have found the courage to stand up to conformity and will explore every option to give their child the differentiated educated that will show their gifts and not just their disabilities.  Understand that educating a child with special needs is one of the most difficult tasks a parent can face,  know that the last thing they want is an adversarial relationship.  Please show them the same respect they show you.
The next time you are creating an educational plan please take into consideration that their child may have specific interests or obsessions.  Foster those interests, instead of taking away that art class for a resource class consider adding an art class instead. Think outside the box, these parents do.
The next time you see that child in a wheelchair unable to speak or control their movements, don’t stare, don’t look away, say hello.  Do not assume that because this child is nonverbal that they are not intelligent or do not understand the awkwardness that you feel.  Take a moment out of your day to show kindness, support a parent enduring incredible pain and just give them a smile.
The next time your child comes home telling you how Johnny or Susie is so weird, take the time to teach about differences.  Take the time to talk  about compassion, acceptance and special needs. Please remember that your child learns from you.  Be a role model, mirror respect and discourage gossip.
The next time you hear a comment about how out of style these kids are, educate about tactile sensitivities and the fact that these kids cannot tolerate many textures and fits.  Imagine what it would feel like to have sandpaper in your stilettos or tight elastic holding on your tie.
The next time you see an out of control child do not assume it is bad parenting.  Understand that many of these disorders have an organic basis, are biological and are real illnesses. When you hear the word mental illness, take out the “mental” and remember  ”illness”.
Know that it is this generation that can stomp the stigma and create a world of acceptance.
The next time other parents are talking about “Those Kids” be our heroes, stand up for us.
The next time you see a special needs child know they are not just special in their needs but in their brilliance as well.
Take the time to meet our children.  Take the time to know us.


Have a nice day!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Mini Va Beach surf event & pics!

Ashton got the privilege to participate in a mini surf camp yesterday, and had a blast doing it! He has absolutely no fear of the water and I think he thinks he knows how to swim (but he doesn't, LOL!) He had a blast though and it was a great day to spend at the beach with family! Enjoy the pictures!!!

Mom, the sun is WAY too bright for a picture... LOL

Uncle Kevin took Ashton into the water as soon as we arrived

Ashton, nearly knocking himself over from a wave

Looking for Mom :)

Mom, do you HAVE to take my picture?!

Ashton had quite a crew helping him get on the board and in the water

Hey Mom! Did ya see me?!?

Waiting on a wave!

Trying to help Ashton stand!

He did actually STAND UP at one point but that pic was blurry :(

look at dem eyelashes!

Holden caught a sand flea

Ashton on the board again riding a wave in

totally lovin' the waves

whoa! hold on, i'm gonna fall! lol



that was fun! Let's do it again in August!

Have a nice day!