Food issues

I really liked this above card!  There have been some days in the past when I felt like a short-order cook....serving everyone their own special food.  Not any more!!!

We instituted a "courtesy bite" rule (compliments of our social group suggestion).  You will get the same food as everyone at the table on your plate....maybe not the same amount, but the same type of food.  You have to take ONE bite of all the types of food.  No complaining, gagging, or vomiting.  If you do perhaps gag and vomit, you will be the one cleaning up the mess.

The above sounds a little manic and violent....it's not really....these rules can be calmly and quietly explained under the guise of "good manners".  We have found that "good manners" explain a variety of actions and reactions appropriate for social situations.  When in doubt, follow the "good manners" rule and you will find guidance in situations when you are confused.

Once the "courtesy bite" is taken, no other bite may be required.  Our fallback food was yogurt, fruit or chicken nuggets....if you didn't like any of the rest of the food. 

Our daughter has managed to overcome many, many food aversions...except to peanut butter.  She says it is just too "gooey" and "sticky".  Is it horrible that she doesn't like peanut butter....no way!  There have even been instances where we have tried toasting the bread and putting just a little bit of peanut butter on the sandwich....and she has been able to eat it.  I just had to push the envelope that little bit! ha!

Just keep in mind that for typical kiddos who are rejecting a new food, it takes them about 6 weeks of offering it DAILY to get them to accept the new food.  So you can see how our kiddos may take a little longer....so don't give up!

Our daughter used to vomit/gag whenever she just saw whipped cream.  Now she can shoot it right into her mouth from the can....just like her father!  You gotta love some role models! :)

I love Michelle Garcia Winner's blog and website....one of her newest products can be found here .  It is a game called "Should I or Shouldn't I? What Would Others Think?" by Dominique Baudry. 

Even if you don't play the game, the cards provide great conversation starters for your child.  "My feet are hot in class.  Should I take off my shoes and socks at my desk?"  This is awesome for social groups or simply to play with your family. 

Sorry I have been off the grid for awhile.....oldest daughter is going through college applications, scholarship applications, and essays.  All her extra work and effort and paying dividends...she is two for two for full tuition and extras.  Hasn't decided where she will land yet, but it will be local!

Remember that spring is around the corner....no, really it is!!!

 

As you may know, I am the mom of two teenage daughters, 17 & 15.  Notice how tired I am as I write that sentence :)

I am always looking for ways to start conversations on important topics and share with our girls our perspective on situations in their lives, and this is a pretty good place to start.

The six most important decisions are: (quoted from page 4 of the book)

1. School.  What are you going to do about your education?
2. Friends.  What type of friends will you choose and what kind of friend will you be?
3. Parents.  Are you going to get along with your parents?
4. Dating and Sex.  Who will you date and what will you do about sex?
5. Addictions.  What will you do about smoking, drinking, drugs, and other addictive stuff?
6. Self-Worth.  Will you choose to like yourself?

The pages are filled with cartoons, quizzes, and stories.  It is an interesting and inviting read and yes, does go into detail about sex and STD's....but in a very matter of fact way.  My 15 year old shared she may be interested in dating (and no I didn't see THAT coming!) a conversation that was prompted by a quiz she took in the book.  Luckily, the mom response to that little tidbit was "I don't think so!" :) ha!  As stated on one of the pages in the Parent chapter..."parents don't always have to have a reason".

Anyway, it runs about $12 or so at Amazon and you might be able to get it from your local library.  Let me know what you think and if you have found any other books you like!

Happy New Year!

New Year resolutions seem to focus on self improvement.  I think we as parents of kiddos on the spectrum need to make a resolution to take care of ourselves and be kind to ourselves. 

No judging, no feeling inadequate, no comparing yourself to others allowed!

Try to get some sleep (and yes, naps count!) There is no shame in getting a few zzzz's while the kids watch a video....sometimes videos are are best friends and saving grace :)

Try to keep hydrated....you'd be surprised how much better you feel when you have enough water...our oldest daughter has discovered that water helps her focus and have energy.

How about a fast food dinner or even a "breakfast" dinner with cereal for the meal?

How about having an entire day where you just enjoy your kiddos and let them play with what they want and have a fun day?

Take a pause and remember how far your child has come from where they started and that this is a process....not an overnight time of growth/improvement.

Over this holiday we just taught our girls  how to play euchre (a big card game in Indiana!)  Our fun discovery is that our 15 year old daughter on the spectrum is a risk taker when it comes to playing cards and is learning "trash talk" as well.  Let me just say that she and her sister have beaten the parents the last two evenings and seeing her laugh and enjoy herself is a gift itself.

What do you do to take care of yourself?

Have a wonderful 2013 and thanks for all the support!

We have talked with our daughters (15 & 17) about the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy.  We have explained that all the facts are not yet known.  And we have been especially mindful of early reports that the perpetrator had an Aspergers diagnosis.

We have explained to our daughter on the spectrum (15 years old) that the diagnosis did NOT mean all people with this diagnosis were so horribly violent.

She quickly replied, "Well I know that!  He was a sick person, and being autistic doesn't mean you will hurt people."

Guess there's nothing else to add.....

Remember to enjoy your child!

Since I am still relatively new to blogging, I have been experimenting with writing my posts several weeks in advance and setting the "automatic post" option.  Needless to say, my now deleted post was written several weeks ago and I had forgotten about the topic through the course of these last few days.  I am sorry.  Perhaps posting "in the moment" has its advantages.

 

"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog"

Mark Twain

 

 



Got Kids?

Do you have other children in your family? Are they older or younger than your child with autism?  I have a daughter that is 2 years older than my daughter with autism. (yep, two in diapers...I can hear your eye roll).  So I did have a "typical" child first and still missed the autism signs (loss of language, no eye contact, no pointing....to mention just a few)  But then so did my pediatrician, but that is a future entry on this blog :)

For some folks having a typical child first does highlight some differences in the development of their younger child.  And if your older child is the child on the spectrum, sometimes the younger siblings can be a helper to them too. 

We used the phrase "your sister needs help using her words" to explain our behavior modeling/conversation....it was easier than trying to explain autism, or PDD, NOS.

When our girls were older and aware of the autism diagnosis, we still had to remind our older daughter why her sister overly reacted to unexpected accidents (a spilled glass of water).  She would invariably gasp wide-eyed and say "I forgot!" She was so used to and so close to her sister that she sometimes forgot that there was a disability. (parent side note: I never forget :)

So think about how your other children can be helpers to your child on the spectrum and how your child on the spectrum can enrich their siblings lives with their unique interests too.

You know I am going to say it :)...."remember to enjoy your child"....and all your children!

Calming Fidgets

 

 

About this time of year we all need a little calming.  For some of our kiddos a hand held video game is all they need.  However, in certain circumstances (or at school!) they need to find another way to help their anxiety settle.

 

I have found a few pictures of some fidgets that might be good stocking stuffers for your child for the holidays.  Or perhaps a new travel toy for a trip to visit relatives and friends.  You can google "fidgets for autism" and a tremendous variety appear....and here below are just a few examples.

 

 

 

 

 

What have you found that works for your child?

Thanksgiving Social Story

You can use the "story lines" from below and add any pictures you would like.  This is just a jumping off point from the site www.positivelyautism.com.

My Family's Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday in November.

On Thanksgiving many families eat a large meal together.

At my family's Thanksgiving meal we might eat: (fill in the blanks)

At Thanksgiving some families say a prayer before they eat.  This is sometimes called "saying grace".

Some families might also tell some things they are thankful for.  This means they each say something that they like or that makes them happy.

Before we eat my family will: (fill in the blanks)

After they eat, some families will watch football on TV.

After we eat, my family will: (fill in the blanks)

Some families will meet with lots of other people in the family for Thanksgiving.

Other families have dinner with just a few people in the family.

My family will: (fill in the blanks)

To visit with family some people might need to travel.  Some will travel by car and some will travel by airplane.

My family will: (fill in blanks)

I am learning about Thanksgiving.

I hope you have a fun and thanks-filled day on "Turkey Day".  Try to take some deep breaths for yourselves and remember to enjoy your child!

Article from WebMD

Early Autism Treatment Normalizes Kids' Brains

By Daniel J. DeNoon
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Oct. 29, 2012 -- Early, intensive autism treatment improves children's brain development, a new study shows.

The treatment, dubbed Early Start Denver Model or ESDM, offers a child 20 hours a week of one-on-one treatment with a trained therapist. It also calls for many more hours of the treatment, in the form of structured play, with a parent trained in the technique.

By age 4, children given the treatment had higher IQ scores, more adaptive behavior, better coordination, and a less severe autism diagnosis than kids given the standard autism treatments offered in their communities. But that's not all, researchers Geraldine Dawson, PhD, and colleagues report.

"We jump-started and improved the responses of children's brains to social information," says Dawson, professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and chief science officer at Autism Speaks.

Normal child development depends on interactions with parents and other people. Without such interactions, language and social skills do not develop.
As measured by an electroencephalogram (EEG), small children's brains show a specific pattern of activity when they look at a picture of a human face. This doesn't happen when they look at pictures of inanimate objects.

Just the reverse happens in children with autism. Their brains light up when they look at pictures of objects, but not when they look at faces. This changed dramatically in the children treated with ESDM.

"The [brains of] children who received the ESDM looked virtually identical to typical 4-year-olds," Dawson says. "The children that received the interventions normal in their communities continued to show the reversed pattern."

Changing Brain Development

The treated children weren't cured. They still had autism, Dawson says. But they are continuing to improve.

"These interventions not only alter the trajectory of behavioral development in a child with autism, but also brain development," Dawson says.

Brain development in children given a behavioral autism treatment likely means these children are learning to "work around" their autism, suggests Arthur L. Beaudet, MD, professor of molecular and human genetics, pediatrics, and molecular and cellular biology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.

"To the extent early intervention helps brain development, it is more likely to help by letting the brain compensate and get around the problems rather than reverse them," Beaudet says. "We do know if you damage the brain of a young child, like in an accident, the infant brain has a tremendous ability to recover and get around the problem."

Key to Autism Treatment: Start Early

Although she and her colleagues developed the ESDM treatment, Dawson is quick to point out that it's not the only effective autism treatment. The key, she says, isn't the treatment -- it's the timing.
"The important point is early diagnosis," she stresses. "By starting early, we have the best chance of providing these kids with the best possible outcomes."

One key to early diagnosis might be the EEG test used to evaluate outcomes in this study.
"There has already been published data showing these early EEG measures are detecting babies at risk of autism at 12 months of age. They have this unusual pattern of not showing a normal response to social stimuli," she says
.
The Dawson study appears in the November issue of Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Bullying

How to help your child with Bullying and being an "Upstander" instead of a bystander!


The above link is going to take you to a wonderful site full of information for your child who may be bullied and for the friend who may see someone being bullied.

It has resources for teachers and parents and I would put more information here, but the link says it all. 

Halloween Costume Ideas!!

For October 1st I wanted to share my favorite Halloween costume idea....you will love it!  We bought a clear rounded umbrella and some iridescent streamers.  You tape pieces of the streamers around the bottom of the umbrella and voila!  You are now a JELLYFISH!!!!

Not only does it protect you from the rain during trick-or-treating, but it is a one-of-a-kind costume!!! Our daughter got a ton of compliments when she used this idea.

Here are a couple more from Real Simple magazine...could be for boy or girl!

First you get all black clothing and then you get some yellow duct tape and some stick on letters and you have a ..... SPELLING BEE!!!

Here is their suggestion for a safari outfit (you supply the khaki shorts) and then make a vest from a brown grocery sack and make the binoculars from toilet paper rolls.  Pretty darn cute!!

Once the costume has been decided upon, we practiced what to say when trick-or-treating.  We would have our daughter ring our doorbell and have her practice her "Happy Halloween" and "thank you!"  We also practiced dressing up and talking about how folks real faces were hidden by their masks and that some people enjoy pretending to be scared and scary.

What are some costume ideas you can share and how have you helped your child cope with Halloween?

I really like the above quote by Albert Einstein.  It reminds us that our kiddos do have special areas they may be gifted in....and for most of them the social arena isn't one of them.

This does not make our kids "stupid" or "slow".  What this means is that it may take them 6 weeks to embrace a new social skill instead of 10 minutes for a typical kiddo. 

These kids can achieve so much if we can put on our Sherlock Holmes hats and figure out the puzzle piece that is causing the confusion. 

When our daughter was early in diagnosis (about 4) she didn't understand how to give someone a hug.  We had to break it down step by step.  "First you look at the person with a smile on your face and make eye contact.  Then you step toward them with your arms open wide.  You gently place your arms around them and give a small squeeze.  Then you release the squeeze and step back with your arms at your side."   We had to practice each step many, many times!

With a typical kiddo you simply say...."Come give a hug" and they know instinctively how to do it!

So don't expect your little fish to climb a tree....unless you are there to give a boost!

What things have you had to break down into steps to teach your child?

Substitute Teachers

We know there are times when our regular teachers will not be able to teach our kids on some days.  When our daughter was in elementary school, it was extremely helpful if we received a phone call or email to let us know of the change in personnel so we could prepare our child.

It really threw our girl into a bit of a frazzled state when the substitute teacher didn't immediately start the math lesson at 10:10 or she taught the subjects in a different order completely.

We finally hammered home the idea that this "new" teacher was to be given the same respect as her regular teacher and if things happened at different times (or not at all!) it was NO BIG DEAL! Sometimes kids stay with babysitting grandparents....and kids are still to mind their manners and obey the rules for grandparents just like parents!

If there is any way the current teacher can leave a small note for the substitute with any special tips for your child, it also may make everyone's life a little easier.

What things do you do to prepare for substitute teachers?  Is it even a problem?

Anyway, I really thought the above cartoon was hilarious and needed a reason to share it :)

Well, school has been in session for a couple of weeks and so far, things are going pretty smoothly.  Let me share some of our "bumps" which should be worth a chuckle or two :)

When checking my daughter's (now a high school freshman) computer class grade on-line, I was shocked to see an "F" on her first test over PowerPoint.  After the test she "felt confident" she had done a good job...see, her perception of reality isn't always accurate ~ ha!

I immediately jumped on my ledge (I sometimes have to climb down from) and I sent a short email to her teacher (worded VERY nicely) to ask what we could do to help Emily do better on the next  exam and what did she think our daughter's problem might have been.  Notice I DID NOT blame the teacher, nor did I expect the teacher to email me and let me know my daughter's failing grade.  These high school teachers have about 150 kiddos per day, and as much as I would like to think mine is the only one they teach......it is a different ballgame than elementary school!

Are you sitting down?  The teacher replied back (VERY  nicely too :) and...here is the kicker.... in her opinion, our daughter rushed through the 30 questions on the computer too quickly....AND didn't use her notes or books as it was....yep you guessed it.... an open note and open book test!!!!

Are you kidding me?!!?

When I shared this information with my daughter, in a loud voice from my ledge :), she thought it would take too much time to try to look up information in the book and she thought she knew the stuff.

SO, the teacher is going to remind her that she can use her notes and book right before the test and our girl got her life lesson about rushing through the material.

If it doesn't kill us, it makes us stronger, right?  :)

Remember to enjoy your child!

That time of the month

Now I realize that current statistics show the boys more than girls are affected with autism.  So sometimes areas special to girls aren't always addressed as widely.... not that I am complaining, just explaining the purpose of this post.  That being said....here goes:

If you have a daughter, you will at some point in time be addressing menstruation :)

Explain to your daughter that EVERY female will get her period.  It is part of becoming a woman and being able to have babies.  It is a good thing to have your period no matter how annoying it can be at times.

Show her pads and tampons and let her feel them and see what they are like.  PRIOR to her period starting (even a year or so!), have her wear a pad in her underwear so she can see what it feels like.  Have her practice removing the pad from its packet and placing it on her pants the right way.  Explain that it will need to be changed EVERY time she goes to the bathroom.  Show her how to "wrap" her used pad in toilet paper before throwing it away.....NOT flushed!

Buy some inexpensive underwear and keep extras in a pouch in her locker at school.  We also kept some in the nurse's office at school too in case of an "accident" or starting their period at school unprepared.  If the underwear gets too stained....throw it away!  That's fine to do!

Wear dark colored pants during your period.  If  there is an "accident" and some staining appears on your pants, you can always tie a dark sweatshirt around your waist to help cover you up until you can get to the nurse.

Keep tampon or pads in a little pouch in your gym locker, school locker or backpack.  You don't always know when your period will happen, so it is good to always be prepared.

DON'T talk about your period with BOYS.  It is a girl only thing and somewhat private.  You do NOT announce to the class that you have started your period and need to go to the bathroom.  You can always go privately to your teacher and tell them you need to go to the bathroom.  If you have a male teacher and are embarrassed to tell them you started your period...simply say you have a stomach ache and need to see the nurse.

Explain about PMS, becoming grouchy, craving chocolate and how sometimes ibuprofen is your best friend when you are having cramps.

I am sure there are hundreds of more ideas and tips you can add to this small list.  These have worked for us so far.  After living in a house with three women, my husband says he didn't realize how toxic estrogen was! :) hahaha!  Remember to enjoy your child!

Hidden Curriculum Calendar

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this calendar....we have used it since 2006.  There is one for kids and another for Teens and Older Adults.  I cannot say enough about this calendar and am sure there are other "Hidden Curriculum" items available.

Here are just a few random entries in this page-a-day format.  We had ours on the table and it provided many meal time conversations about appropriate social behavior.

Recess is a time to talk to other kids, run, walk, and play games.  It is okay to ask a teacher if you need help remembering how to try new activities, but it's not a good idea to stand by the teacher all the time at recess.

When you are talking to your teacher, don't necessarily say everything that you are thinking.  For example, if you think your teacher smells like dirty socks, it would be very rude and hurtful to say that to her.  Try to stay on one topic and ask your questions in a calm voice.

If your teacher says "Give yourselves a hand," she is telling the class to clap to congratulate themselves for doing something well.

If someone says, "That drives me crazy," that doesn't mean she is being driven anywhere.  It usually means the person is very frustrated with what is happening.

Just because something is on TV does not mean it is true.  Talk to your parents about things you see in commercials or TV programs to find out if they think those things are true.

People don't like hearing things they already know.  Instead of telling somebody something they already know, keep the idea in your head, even if you think it's important.  Later you may find a chance to share it with somebody else.

If you do not like the birthday treats being offered, that's okay.  Just say, "No, thank you." Don't ask for a different treat.  There's probably only one kind.

When you check the clock repeatedly, others will think you are bored or late.  Try to glance at the clock only occasionally and try to do it very quickly.

Aren't these fabulous?  Even thinking and talking about these daily prompts so many conversations and opportunities for your child to share with you...."oh yeah, that reminds me of what happened today...." and it is just a quick little nudge for appropriate behavior on a daily basis! :)

Remember to enjoy your child!

Teachers are our Friends :)

"School teachers are not fully appreciated by parents until it rains all day Saturday." E.C. McKenzie

As previously stated at the left...we are from a family of educators....parents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins are all teachers.  My family is laughing hysterically at the amount of time I volunteer at my kids' schools saying "at least we get paid when we go to school!"

They are right, but I also know from personal experience that teachers spend a lot more time in their classrooms and pursuing continuing education than the 180 school year.

You can help your teachers in many small ways:

Send an encouraging email and share something fun your child did or said that their teacher would enjoy.

During the cold/flu season send in extra boxes of Kleenex and hand sanitizer.

Ask your teacher if they need any specific school supplies for the classroom.

How about a gift card for lunch?

Send a note to their principal to share how the teacher has helped your child and family.  Many of the best ideas to help our daughter have come from educators who think "outside the box".

We also send an "End of Year" thank you note to our daughter's teachers and share how they have helped continue her strong education foundation.

And finally from probably the most famous person on the autism spectrum, Miss Temple Grandin:

"I cannot emphasize enough the importance of a good teacher."

Remember to thank a teacher!

I am on the email list for the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.  I really thought this article had a ton of good ideas and checklists.... unfortunately since I am such a blogging rookie, I hope my "links" work....so best advice would be to copy and paste them into your search box if they don't work when you click on them :(

For Parents: Preparing for the School Year
Contributed by: Dr. Cathy Pratt, BCBA-D, Director, Indiana Resource Center for Autism

Anticipating the beginning of the school year can be a time of high anxiety for both parents and their sons or daughters. Parental concerns such as will my child be successful in the new school year both academically and socially as well as will his/her new teachers command a good understanding of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) seem magnified with all the unknowns that the new school year brings. At times, you may know staff and have a good working relationship with them. Other times, staff is unknown and expectations for your son/daughter are unclear. Below are a few tips to help you become a proactive and positive advocate for your son/daughter.

• Many teachers may not have had previous experience with students with autism spectrum disorders or may only have had experience with students quite different than your son/daughter. The Indiana Resource Center for Autism’s (IRCA) website at www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca, has several articles that can help educators better understand ASD. Topics addressed include the learning characteristics associated with ASD and teaching strategies. Parents need to proactively educate. Provide information, but do not overwhelm with educators with too much information. Identify the autism leader in you special education planning district. The list can be found at: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=340. Your local special education district autism leader may be able to assist with training or support.

• Staff will need information about how autism impacts your son/daughter. At the end of this article is a form that you can complete and share with your child’s teachers. This form allows you to provide specific information about learning styles, communication systems, medical issues, behavior supports, and other topics. Make sure that you describe your child and not only in terms related to their ASD (e.g., sense of humor, kind, gentle, smart). Ask that information be shared with relevant staff including cafeteria workers, custodians, bus drivers, the school secretary, the school nurse, and administrators. The form is brief so as not to overwhelm staff.

• Request information about bus schedules, parent teacher organizations, and available resources (e.g., counselors, social workers, nurses).

• Before beginning the school year in a new school, work to alleviate any anxieties you or your son/ daughter may have about the new setting. Preparation for this move can be facilitated by obtaining a map of the school, a copy of his/her schedule for the fall, a copy of the student handbook and rules, and a list of clubs/extracurricular activities. Ask to take a tour with your son/daughter before the school year begins. Request a list of school supplies, locker combination, and clothes needed for physical education. Practice getting up in the mornings and eating breakfast so the student and you will know how much time it will take him/her.

• Visit the lunchroom and have the your son/daughter learn how to navigate the lunchroom, where to sit, and the rules of the lunchroom (e.g., going through the lunch line, sitting down in the lunchroom, etc.). Work with the staff to develop a social narrative or visual task analysis if needed.

• Ask the school to identify key people or identify a mentor the student can contact if she/he is having a difficult time adjusting or understanding a certain situation. Ask for the name and contact information for this person. This is especially important if your son/daughter is in middle or high school.

• If possible, obtain pictures of your student’s teachers, staff, bus driver, cafeteria workers, etc.

• Classmates of the new student also may need information. This should be provided in a respectful manner and without stigmatizing the student on the autism spectrum. Talk to the teacher about how classmates will be informed. IRCA has articles that can help with educating elementary and secondary age students at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3567.

• At the very beginning of the new school year, establish methods and a schedule for communicating between home and school. Suggestions for maintaining ongoing communication include journals, daily progress notes, mid term grades, scheduled appointments or phone calls, e-mails, informal meetings, report cards, or parent teacher conferences. Inform teachers of the method of communication that works best for you (e.g., text, e-mail, phone calls). Forms that can be used to facilitate home school communication can be found at http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3265.

• Be clear and proactive about your expectations for the school year. When parents and school staff collaborate, your son/daughter is the ultimate winner.

• At times, rumors may circulate about your district, school, or personnel. If you hear a rumor, go to the source and have a conversation. Not everything on listservs, Facebook, and e-mails is accurate. Do not jump to judgment. Your only goal should be to ensure that all work collaboratively on behalf of your son/daughter.

The ultimate goal is to promote a successful experience for both your child and for you. By proactively and positively working with the school, challenges can be minimized and trust built.

School Checklist -- no supplies needed!

One of the things we have done over the years is work up a "Getting Acquainted" letter for new teachers.  We were in three different elementary schools by the time our daughter was in 3rd grade and the new teachers didn't have the luxury of walking down the hall to touch base with former teachers of our daughter.

Be sure to include things about your child NOT related to their diagnosis....favorite books, colors, food, friends, TV shows, siblings and fun facts.

When you visit the school ahead of the first official day....flush the toilets in the bathrooms...they can be really loud!

Take pictures of  the different places in the school...cafeteria, classroom, gym, library, etc.  Put together a little photo book for your child to look at .... you could even add pictures of the teachers, nurse, aides, etc.  You know if this is something your child might enjoy.

The following is from the website www.wrightslaw.com .  They have wonderful articles for teachers and parents as well.  This one is directed to parents and starting a positive relationship with teachers.

10 Tips for a Successful School Year
by Pat Howey, Advocate

Here are ten tips to help you get off to a good start at the beginning of the new school year.

1. Help Your Child Deal with Transitions.
Is your child making the transition from preschool to kindergarten, from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school? Plan to take your child to visit the new school or classroom before the first day of school.

2. Reread your child's IEP.
Do you understand what the school agreed to provide? Do your child's teachers understand what they are to provide? Is your child's IEP SMART? (specific, measurable, action words, realistic, and time-specific)?

3. Meet with your child's teacher(s) to discuss your child's special needs.
Take a picture of your child to the meeting. Teachers are more likely to take a personal interest in your child and remember your child's special needs if s/he has seen a picture of your child.

4. Take extra copies of your child's IEP to the meeting with the teacher(s).
Never assume that teachers have had time to read your child's IEP before school begins. Teachers have many things to do as they prepare for the first day of school. The teacher may not understand how important the IEP is to your child's success. Leave a copy of your child's IEP with each teacher.

5. Make a List of Important Things About Your Child .
Make a list of the five most important things that the teacher(s) need to know about your child. Explain why these things are vital to your child's success. Leave a copy of the list with each teacher.

6. Prepare to Deal with Potential Problems Early.
If your child is in general education classes, prepare for the teacher(s) who wants to see how your child "gets along" before making any changes in the way they run their classrooms.

Teachers often take this position because they want to give their students a fresh start. You may need to explain why your child may fail unless the teacher understands his/her unique needs and provides the necessary services, accommodations and supports.

7. Resolve Old Concerns and Issues.
If you have concerns or issues that were not resolved during the last IEP meeting, request another IEP meeting immediately. Try to resolve these issues and concerns before your child begins to have problems this year.

8. Get a New Assessment. Consider getting your child's skills tested very early in the school year. Where are your child's skills on standardized educational achievement tests? Use these scores as baseline data. You can compare these scores with scores obtained at the end of the year to measure your child's progress.

9. Go to your school's Open House. In addition to giving you another chance to meet with your child's teachers (and make a good impression), teachers often explain their classroom rules during Open House. When you attend, you have a chance to see if your child may have trouble understanding the teachers' rules. You will also be in a better position to explain these rules to your child.

10. Get a bound notebook. Use the notebook as a "contact log" to send messages to the teachers. Write a sentence of two to the teacher(s) every day. Do not make your child the bearer of messages about problems at school. Make an extra copy of your log often in case the notebook is lost.

Have a great school year!
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Please know these are not the answers to every situation and just provided in the spirit of sharing.  Now it's your turn....what has worked well for you and your family to help start school on a positive note?