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!)

Haircuts

How does your child do with haircuts? Some of our kids are really bothered by the idea of having someone around their heads with scissors...AND cutting pieces of their hair off!

We found that for early childhood haircuts, we traveled to Cookie Cutters where our daughters could watch videos while getting their hair cut. That seemed to settle them down as they focused on their favorite Sesame Street show.

We also found that if we got a doll and had our daughters practice washing, drying and yes, cutting the doll hair...it helped them practice the skills that would be practiced on them.

We also practiced with the hairdryer on a lower setting and sometimes (early on) had to just let the hair "air dry" without the aid of a noisy dryer.

If haircuts are a huge deal, practice just having your child walk in to the salon. Next trip they sit in a chair...next trip have the stylist drape the cover on them as they sit in the chair...you get the idea...baby steps with huge praise for each one mastered. Keep in mind it takes our kids longer to become accustomed to things....but THEY CAN DO IT!

I love this quote from Dolly Parton: "I'm not offended by all the dumb-blonde jokes because I know that I'm not dumb. I also know I'm not blonde." :) Have a wonderful day!

IEP -- Three Little Words NOT to Fear!

Well, I don't know about you, but I sure start to worry and fret and put on my anxious face when this time of year rolls around :)


And I really shouldn't! Keep in mind 85% of what you worry about doesn't ever occur. Rationally I realize this, but emotionally, I know that other 15% is going to kick me to the curb!

One of the best things I can do to "climb off the ledge" is to make a request to see the proposed IEP prior to our meeting with the resource team. Yep, you can do that!

How much better will you feel going into the IEP meeting when you have had a chance to read the new proposed updates AND have some time to absorb it ... which takes that scary 15% of the unknown out of the worry equation.

You will be able to gather your thoughts and get your questions organized and be ready to start a dialogue with the other members of your child's team. Your child's team should be able to provide the new IEP to you...and the IEP meeting can always be rescheduled so your team has time to prepare the IEP and forward it to you.

To quote George Carlin, "I don't have a fear of heights. I have a fear of falling from heights." Now before I climb down off this ledge, I am going to take a minute and enjoy the view :)