by Sarah | Oct 8, 2007 | Autism
One of the hardest adjustments I’ve had to make is the preparation for change. Being that M is only two and a half, explaining to her upcoming changes isn’t so easy. And they are sometimes unexpected. So, instead of preparing her right now, I have to prepare myself.
This weekend we got ‘new’ furniture. From my parents we got a three-piece entertainment center. It’s not a huge change, we had an entertainment center…so we just swapped out the middle piece…but then the two side pieces were put into the room as well. One of them replaced a toy chest/diaper cabinet of hers.
Yesterday in reaction, M had a bad day. Slept a lot, when she woke up was crabby for some time. She came out of it alright in the end…but I was ill-prepared for the adjustment. Wasn’t even thinking about it, really, until it happened.
Note to self…from now on, prepare for change. And as soon as M is old enough…prepare HER for change!
by Sarah | Sep 26, 2007 | Autism
I am happy to report that the charges against the six year old autistic boy have been dropped.
Charges Dropped
The school is, of course, refusing to comment in order to “protect the child’s privacy”. A bit too little.
The parents are thinking of civil action, and in this case I think I agree with them. As the public defender, Amanda Mullins said, “It’s not an issue of assault. It’s an issue of a school being unprepared to deal adequately with a child like that.”
Ain’t that the truth.
by Sarah | Sep 21, 2007 | Autism
I was directed to this story of a six-year-old boy with Autism that has been criminally charged with assault.
6-Year-Old Autistic Student Criminally Charged After Alleged Assault
The only thing I can think is what my DH said. “The school took responsibility for the child.” If the school, and it’s teachers weren’t prepared for a special needs child, they should have said as much. A school shouldn’t attempt to integrate a child if they have no business doing so.
And the aide that charged an autistic child with criminal assault should be ashamed. I can’t even comprehend how the parents feel.
by Sarah | Aug 22, 2007 | Autism
Today I got a call from a local special needs preschool. One of our therapists is employed through them and told me about them/them about us. Today they called and started to let me know about their program. I’m very excited now. Molly can start there in about two months, so long as she meets their standards and they hold an opening for her!! We go next week for an evaluation to make sure she qualifies. If she does, we can alter her plan through her Early Intervention program and they will cover the cost. After that the cost is minimal for us!! So I’m keeping my fingers crossed for next Thursday. I’ll find out much more information then!
Also today my oldest came home with a letter from school. They’re putting him in an advanced Math program! My little science geek is getting ahead!! I’m so proud of him!!
All in all a very good day. Therapies went smoothly, only one more appointment with the therapist I don’t care for too much and our favorite comes back!! Our service coordinator faxed over what will (hopefully) be the last file the diagnosing doc for SSI requires so that they can (finally) make their decision!!
by Sarah | Aug 19, 2007 | Autism
Today was a twelve hour long meltdown. Starting at 8AM, out of the blue, Donna started crying. Moaning, whining, crying. It was normally something I would let slide, but I knew without even letting it go for a few that this was different. It was the start of a full blown meltdown. So, I dragged myself out of bed, made bottles and got the girls up. The bottle didn’t soothe her, a dry diaper didn’t soothe her. She clung to Daddy, then clung to me…and it wasn’t enough for me to hold her. We were up and walking for an hour. I finally managed to sit down and she was asleep on my shoulder. The meltdown remained through to naptime. We put her down and she slept for a while, and woke up the same way she had this morning. She spent the entire afternoong clinging to either daddy or me. She remained so until 8PM. At which point she climbed out of Daddy’s lap and within half an hour was a happy chatty girl. We have no idea what triggered it, or what ended it. It was a long, worrying day. The worst part is not knowing what caused it…and that there was nothing we could do to help…
