Re: what do you do with an autism diagnosis?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/16/2004 5:11:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

lmfarmjs@... writes:

> By the way, despite having another girl with DS at the school, the

> principal told me that she knew there were two types of children with

> DS - those who can learn and those who can't, and asked which type

> Sophie was!!

Hi Lisette,

The principal's statement infuriates me. Every child can learn. How dare this

so called degreed educator have no expectations for any student with a

disability. I would never let any educator catorgorize or classify by

disability. I

would make a point to use your child's name and talk about all her strengths.

The sped director or pupil service person would probably be your best source

to discuss services and to find out what the district has to offer to meet your

child's needs.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 11 DS/OCD/ASD?

[Guest guest]

I think i would bring it up at her first IEP or staffing meeting, so you can

be sure to have any beavhior management etc in the IEP and everyone is

consistent etc. shawna

[Guest guest]

discontinue (d/c)

[Guest guest]

What does " d/c speech " mean?

> If you feel your daughter is supported adequately,

> there may be no need to use this diagnosis. An label

> is, afterall, just a label. What matters is the

> supports and services are there to help Sophie

> learn--because there's only one kind of kid: those who

> learn. It's what they learn from their education (that

> they are valuable and expected to learn or that they

> are not) that matters.

>

> Seriously, I'm not a fan of labels that aren't

> necessary.

>

> On the other hand, if they want to d/c speech because

> language meets mental age, an autims label prevents

> that.

>

> With your assessment you can apply for any waivers or

> wraparound services that are available to other

> children wth autism--you don't have to share it with

> the school to do that.

>

> I " m tired this morning, so I'm not sure I " m typing

> complete thoughts. HOpe this helps. Others will chime

> in to complete the picture, I " m sure.

>

> Joan

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/16/2004 5:11:25 AM Eastern Standard Time,

lmfarmjs@... writes:

OK, I know this is a strange question but what do you do with an

autism diagnosis?

Hi Lisette,

Well, without the autism dx, Maddie would not be at her current school

which implements ABA. Maddie's autism is very blatant and except for one very

small minded ST years ago, the professionals had no doubt. Matter of fact,

they were quite relieved when I finally went and got the dx. I was

*chatting* with tons of people back then and was actually being advised by a pro

(a doc

friend online...NOT Len from the DS listserv) to stay away from the label.

His feeling was that it would only hurt Maddie. That people would consider

her *beyond hope* basically. For a long time, I felt that way too. Thank

goodness I came to my senses. It is what it is, and I've learned not to be

afraid of it. I've also learned that people don't think of Maddie as a lost

cause. Getting the dx has given us direction in her treatment. It's opened

doors, not closed them. Certainly back in the day, people had a glum view of

individuals with autism, and no doubt we've much more progress to make. But

it's been my experience that this is not the case now. I still refer to

autism as the monster that stole my child, but better to know the name of your

monster......now I feel equipped.

Donna