School's Gonna Be Out Soon...Are You Ready?

It's coming!  Look out!  Summer vacation....aarrrggghhh!!!

Actually, I am ready to be done with homework, school projects, school deadlines and early bus pickups.

In reality, our summer does resemble a little bit of school activity.  We get the English reading list for the upcoming year and also (if possible) the videos that go along with them.

Hence the cartoon at the left.....To Kill a Mockingbird is on our 9th grade reading list and we will be getting the video to watch as well.  I am actually looking forward to watching the video as it is one of my favorites.

We also will be re-watching the "Model Me Kids" videos on making friendships, starting conversations, bullying and high school.  If you haven't seen these videos before, please check them out...they are absolutely fabulous and also have videos for younger kiddos as well.  It is lovingly called "Mommy's Social Skills Bootcamp"...yep, I live with comedians.

We also plan to teach our girls how to play euchre.  Considering how poorly I play, we will teach them how NOT to play like mom :)  However there is a Euchre Club at our high school and it might be a social club for our girl to join....you play and chat with your friends.

We also go for walks, sleep late, sometimes stay in our jammies all day, eat lots of icecream, listen to rock and roll while we do house chores and stay up late....life is good!

What things do you have planned for summer? 

Survival :)

When you are in deep trouble, say nothing, and try to look like you know what you're doing. :)

Keep in mind that at times our kids need reminders to "not be the weird kid" sitting in the cafeteria, standing in line for class, sitting at their desks waiting on class to begin, riding the bus, or hanging out on the playground.

There is something to be said for being a little "self aware" and realizing that if no one else is skipping or flapping or twirling, that maybe you shouldn't be either.

Bullying and IEP's

The following is from the lastest e-newletter from "Autism Speaks". I thought since IEP's were "in the air" it might be a starting point for some things to consider for your child's IEP. Keep in mind all these are just suggestions and may be viewed as a "starting point" for conversations for parents and educators.

We have been fortunate to have benefited from suggestions our teachers made during our IEP meetings and feel all information can benefit all involved.


The IEP team, which includes the parent,can identify strategies that can be written into the IEP to help stop the bullying. It may helpful to involve the child, when appropriate, in the decision-making process. Such strategies include:

• Identifying an adult in the school who the child can report to or go to for assistance

• Determining how school staff will document and report incidents

• Allowing the child to leave class early to avoid hallway incidents

•Holding separate in-services for school staff and classroom peers to help them understand a child’s disability

•Educating peers about school district policies on bullying behavior

•Ensuring regular reassurance from the school staff to the student that he or
she has a “right to be safe” and that the bullying is not his or her fault

•Shadowing by school staff of the student who has been bullied. Shadowing could be done in hallways, classrooms, and playgrounds.

•Holding separate in-services for school staff and classroom peers to help them understand the child’s disability

When talking with your child’s IEP team, consider what strategies, with those listed above as a guideline for ideas, that might be effective for them to address bullying.

Happy Easter!

Sabbatical :)

I will be "going dark" for a this week while we have some family fun :) Remember to enjoy your child! (And THAT's no April Fool!)