Re: Update from the Medlens

[Guest guest]

Hang in there Joan. This is a different path but the journey is the same.

You have been great from the very start so I know you will be great with this

new direction. We are here when you need us.

Carol

Trisha's Mom

She isn't typical, She's Trisha!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/2004 8:36:26 AM Central Standard Time,

jegm2002@... writes:

our

home school has this one special educator who does NOT

want Andy at all.

Oh Joan, one of those days where good things happen (Birthday) and not so

good things. One of the things Barbara Doyle talked about was looking at

in

a different way. So much is how the person sees our children as in the

educator above. They need to understand them better and hopefully will then

look

at the behaviors as something that needs to be taught in a different way. As

Barbara went through each area about what she said made sense. Our

children are very complex and no answer fits them all but all the people on this

list have such a wealth of information to share it sure helps. We feel very

fortunate to have Barbara Doyle do 's evaluation because of her expertise in

both deafness and autism. It helps sort out at least these two areas. Hang in

there Joan know this is a difficult transition time for both your boys. When

you are not feeling so weary maybe you could look at this special educator

not as someone who has a closed-minded attitude but someone who is a challenge

to get them to change. Just as we want the educators and staff to look at our

child differently maybe we have to look at them differently. I know I have

worked on this for years and always seem to be hitting that brick wall. I am

hoping that this one last try with BD's eval they will understand and think

differently. Only time will tell. Thinking of you. Louise

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/2004 9:36:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jegm2002@... writes:

We ended the 4 hour session with birthday cake. As the

people Andy loves and trusts gathered around him to

sing happy birthday, he smiled and looked around him

in a way I've never seen. It was fabulous.

Wow....that is awesome Joan!!!!! Hey, I'm thinking we should end ALL

sessions with cake.....;-)

Love the pics......Especially with Andy being surrounded by females...he's

quite the cassanova, eh?

And I hear ya on the college thing. We're on number 3...just finished our

fasfa form last week. It's so fun, isn't it?!?!? Though, I can't

complain...Duff does it....*I* get the job of filling out the final form with my

Catholic school handwriting...LOL

<<To do that, I do need help with content. Writers who

want to help pull together info should seriously

contact me. EGF agreed to do this last summer and I've

not been too fast about it. >>

Gee Joan, and why is that? JK!!!!!! LOLOL

I'm willing to write up my experience with Floortime when the time arrives.

Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi J,

I loved the pictures! Andy was in such a rush to get into the pool he forgot

to remove his shoes,oh well, if that's the worst thing that happened,LOL. I

think he will remember this birthday party. I am happy that the school chose to

do MAPS with you. It is easier for the PPT team to come together to write an

IEP using a person centered planning tool. I am so sorry you have to deal with

a sped teacher that has no vision for Andy in his neighborhood school. Where

is it said that a teacher can pick and choose her students? When you choose to

teach you teach all students. I can relate to your emotions. I have had to

deal with this mindset with many teachers throughout the years. It isn't a very

comfortable place to be. I have found that most often the teachers that have

that attitude lack the knowledge and self confidence in themselves to do the

job. I would have asked her why and requested the district to give her

additional training and supports.Inclusion takes creativity among the entire

team. It

can work if the team wants it to. I attend weekly planning meetings with the

teachers. I rarely contribute but take notes on the following weeks lessons. If

the planning team is stuck at times I can think of a different way to present

the material that has meaning to Zeb. Anything is possible with good planning.

I remember filling out all those college apps for my big kids. Senior year is

a big year. I had one graduating from high school and Zeb entering 1st grade.

I was working with an entire team that didn't want him in his neighborhood

school or an inclusive placement. Hang in there.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 11 DS/OCD

[Guest guest]

Happy belated birthday to Andy, and all who are celebrating another year.

Gail :-)