Re: Some thought/Louise

[Guest guest]

Thank You Louise. I had checked it out and I have someone contacting me here to

see what they can do to help . Its nice to know that Barbara Doyle had

recommended one to try out. You would think that even though is in High

School to this day somebody would of suggested it as he can not communicate or

write.

Thanks to everyone for sharing what I should look into even if once upon a time

it was denied. But how could he, if he was not taught, so true.

There is only one vocational training facility connected with the school

district that he attends. There are several but with other school districts. Now

I'm wondering how next school year's schedule is going to turn out as he attends

all day at school now and attend Wed. & Fri. with me removing him from school

for his private ABA/VB Therapy and this is provided by the state funds (Center

for Health Care Ctr.) which I also would not like to lose. Next school year

he'll attend half day to school and then the other half day vocational training.

Yes, I better act on inquiring on this this week so that I could prepare myself

for next year. I feel awful not discussing this at the IEP meeting but then what

did I know in what to ask for. It is too much to learn as you go.

Stay posted if an assistive device is used.

Thank you.

Irma,15,DS/ASD

Some thought/Irma

You may want to look at the Illinois Assistive Technology Project site to

check out products. We are fortunate here we can borrow a device to try it

out.

I may be looking into this for as it was one of Barbara Doyles ideas for

to use. The site is http://www.iltech.org/

Do you have different vocational training facilities for high school? I am

sure the other families have some of the same questions you do. When was

in his last year of high school the social worker arranged for families to

visit different workshops off and on as a group.

What a special day for and the family when he makes his First

Communion.

Thinking of you. Louise

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/2004 9:25:24 PM Central Standard Time,

ICANFIELD@... writes:

I feel awful not discussing this at the IEP meeting but then what did I know

in what to ask for. It is too much to learn as you go.

I feel the same way at times. No matter how many lists I make and think I am

prepared for a meeting I sometimes forget to ask some question. I like to

think about when I forget something, maybe it wasn't the right time to ask. If

it was really important I go back and call about it, otherwise I let it sit

for some time and it usually solves itself. Louise

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/29/2004 2:02:22 PM Central Standard Time,

ICANFIELD@... writes:

It would be nice if it came from the professionals working with on

what I should look into or try out or we would like to do whatever assessment to

see if he would benefit from it of course with my permission but at least its

coming from them and not I.

Boy you sure hit the nail on the head with this statement. I sure feel that

way many times. Luckily the case worker a year ago from the agency that

oversees things for the Dept of Human Services started the ball rolling by

asking

for a new psychological for . Probably 10 yrs ago I was helping our

daughter with her school district to get an eval for her son. It got started,

then

they moved and changed school districts. The new district said, " And you had

to ask for an evaluation " . That district in turn went farther and asked that

a neuropsychological be done. With that it was determined he had an auditory

processing problem, indicating he needed special ways to present things as he

got lost in long explanations. He is now in high school and doing well.

Can't believe about the bus driver not letting you put the sticker on the

seat. Do the teacher's ever talk to them? Maybe they should. Guess this is

one

of those times we have to pick our battles. Doesn't make it any less

frustrating. Louise

[Guest guest]

Hi Louise,

You're right I guess I'll have to look at it like this too. Then the timing was

not right for the time being until I gather enough info to support something to

address the issue. It would be nice if it came from the professionals working

with on what I should look into or try out or we would like to do

whatever assessment to see if he would benefit from it of course with my

permission but at least its coming from them and not I. Reality hits and its all

wishful thinking which will not happen and it does require us to bring up what

we would like and then to support it to make it happen.

Last week I noticed the bus aide just sat on her seat without assisting

towards his assigned seat and he walked down the aisle well, then he had stopped

and seemed confused on wondering which seat? He seemed to have missed it by one,

then the bus aide prompted to the correct seat. I could see where the bus driver

and bus aide were coming from with him learning to be independent but I was not

told and I did see that he was doing well and I just let it be but then there

are those concerns where if he would have one of those days when he processes

things in a slow mode and needs verbal or visual prompting this could trigger

one of those bad days if something was not there to remind him. This morning I

decided to hand the bus driver a small smiley sticker to place over 's

assign seat where he could see it and confronted the bus driver on the purpose

of the sticker so that it will help him know exactly which seat so that he will

not feel confused. The bus driver wanted to hand me the sticker back and said

" he knows exactly which seat, he is smart " . My response: " Yes, he can learn to

do things independently when taught well and visual pics helps him to stay

focus. " The bus driver decided to keep the sticker and stayed quiet and that is

how it stayed. Of course in my mind it left me wondering, did he toss it out?

The bus driver and aide have come along great with him and so I will stay calm

about it as this was just a minor issue and hope they did not get upset with me

trying to help out with their plan on showing him to be independent.

Next month is Autism Awareness month and one of the private schools for kids

with developmental delay & Autism are giving free classes for ABA/VB Therapy for

us parents who are interested so I'll be adding this to my busy month.

would not be where he is at now if it had not been for me taking advantages of

opportunities like this. Thanks for always listening and sharing your thoughts

as this does help me to not lose it and focus with my challenges. Many hugs!

Irma,15,DS/ASD

I feel the same way at times. No matter how many lists I make and think I am

prepared for a meeting I sometimes forget to ask some question. I like to

think about when I forget something, maybe it wasn't the right time to ask.

If

it was really important I go back and call about it, otherwise I let it sit

for some time and it usually solves itself. Louise