Re: ages of your daughters

[Guest guest]

My daughter, ie, is tall and leggy, just turned 11 and as she tells

us....A pre-teen. Puberty scares us but fortuanately we live on a farm and

the birds and bees are always among us! Our funnest story since she has

really come into her " own " ... we asked her... " how did you know that? " S.J.

" oh, I know everything, I'm a genius....pregnant pause....Dad? What's a

genius " She is the joy of our lives as is her 9 year old brother.

- Missouri

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughter is 13 and is also filling out and going through puberty. She

was having very heavy and long periods, so our doctor suggested putting her

on birth control pills; she also said that since girls can be taken

advantage of so easily, that it would be an option. We decided to have her

put on birth control. In one way I hated the idea, but it has controlled

her periods and we can tell by the pills when to expect her period to start,

which really helps. I guess I should tell you that she is also mildly

mentally retarded - at least that's what the tests said six years ago. She

is also developmentally delayed, due to her mother mixing alcohol and

prescription drugs for anxiety during her pregnancy - at least that's what

the doctors think. I am really her grandmother, but we adopted her and have

had her since she was almost 3.

Betty

Re: Re: Medication

>

>

> > Except for weight gain, a part of which might have

> > been due to natural " growth spurt " , due to increased

> > appetite we have seen no ill effects from Risperdal.

> > In fact, it has greatly improved our daughtr's

> > behavior and sort of " leveled off " her moods. She was

> > drowsy for the first two or three days but soon

> > adjusted. The appetite increase also increased the

> > variety of foods she would eat, which was a plus. So,

> > although I would prefer that Jan was not on meds this

> > one doesn't seem to be bad, IMHO.

> > Tamara

> > --- paulette de wrote:

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I recently just had a visit with my daughters

> > > neurologist. She had been taking Depakane since she

> > > was about 4 yrs old. She is 8 now. Towards the end

> > > it had seemed to be making her very sleepy in the

> > > morning which was interrupting her school work. She

> > > would sleep at school in the morning. Well we took

> > > her off of it in March. She did very well the last

> > > couple of months in school. Now that she is not on

> > > any medication she is doing okay. She does do alot

> > > of

> > > whining and some times little tantrums. I talked to

> > > the doctor and we both agreed to wait till she

> > > started

> > > school again. He wants to start her on Risperdol.

> > > I

> > > have heard so many things about this drug bad &

> > > good.

> > > He wants to start her off small and a maxium dose of

> > > 1ml. I know most of yall have discussed this med

> > > before but would like some input on this. 's

> > > email really helped.

> > >

> > > thanks,

> > > paulette (mother to le 8yrs)

> > >

> > >

> > > --- Dougherty wrote:

> > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > control

> > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > March and although she is

> > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > gained weight since being

> > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > me

> > > > a report about taking

> > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > However, we had problems

> > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > hoping

> > > > to see her name on the

> > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > report.

> > > > My best,

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

Yes, Mandy, I am interested in what you did about the sexual harrassment.

Our daughter told us about a boy in her special ed class talking sexual to

her. When I talked with the teacher about it, she said she had never seen

him do anything like that, but she would keep an eye on him. Then she said,

but your daughter does and says some things that may entice the boy to say

things. Duh! She is a 13 yr old autistic girl in a class with mostly boys

who have various disabilities - all at puberty. I am sooooooo tired of

saying, " But autistic children are....... " . If only the teachers were

educated about autism!!!!

Re: ages of your daughters

> Hi,

>

> My Caitie (Caitlin) is 10 1/2. I used to say a boy would have to

> dress like a dinosaur or some other reptile to get her attention.

>

> She, too, is a knockout. I know what the other Moms mean about being

> nervous.

>

> Some boys sexually harrassed her in a mainstreamed drama class last

> year (one even touched her). Yes--I reported and raised a stink--but

> that's another story, if anyone's interested.

>

> I have tried to give her " all the info " --but I am so worried because

> she is vulnerable.

> Mandy

>

>

> > > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > > control

> > > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > > March and although she is

> > > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > > gained weight since being

> > > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > > me

> > > > > a report about taking

> > > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > > However, we had problems

> > > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > > hoping

> > > > > to see her name on the

> > > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > > report.

> > > > > My best,

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________

> > > >

[Guest guest]

That's hysterical ...hee hee...Deanna

> My daughter, ie, is tall and leggy, just turned 11 and as she

tells

> us....A pre-teen. Puberty scares us but fortuanately we live on a

farm and

> the birds and bees are always among us! Our funnest story since

she has

> really come into her " own " ... we asked her... " how did you know

that? " S.J.

> " oh, I know everything, I'm a genius....pregnant pause....Dad?

What's a

> genius " She is the joy of our lives as is her 9 year old brother.

>

> - Missouri

[Guest guest]

Doesn't sound like we need to create some sort of grassroots (if that's the right

term) group to figure out how we keep OUR girls safe?

Penny-------------------------------------------------------- " What a way to promote Autism Awareness Month - please encourage people at your school, church, or neighborhood to see

this video.http://www.solvingthepuzzle.org " - I also encourage my friends to add this URL to their signature line and help spread the

word! " If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away. " --Henry Thoreau

[Guest guest]

When you say mildly and mentally retarded, is it similar to Autism??? what

exactly has the dr told you???? It must be very hard for you, but it is such

a wonderful thing you have done by taking this child and caring for her as

your own. stay strong!!! Cheryl

Re: Re: ages of your daughters

Hi ,

My daughter is 13 and is also filling out and going through puberty. She

was having very heavy and long periods, so our doctor suggested putting her

on birth control pills; she also said that since girls can be taken

advantage of so easily, that it would be an option. We decided to have her

put on birth control. In one way I hated the idea, but it has controlled

her periods and we can tell by the pills when to expect her period to start,

which really helps. I guess I should tell you that she is also mildly

mentally retarded - at least that's what the tests said six years ago. She

is also developmentally delayed, due to her mother mixing alcohol and

prescription drugs for anxiety during her pregnancy - at least that's what

the doctors think. I am really her grandmother, but we adopted her and have

had her since she was almost 3.

Betty

Re: Re: Medication

>

>

> > Except for weight gain, a part of which might have

> > been due to natural " growth spurt " , due to increased

> > appetite we have seen no ill effects from Risperdal.

> > In fact, it has greatly improved our daughtr's

> > behavior and sort of " leveled off " her moods. She was

> > drowsy for the first two or three days but soon

> > adjusted. The appetite increase also increased the

> > variety of foods she would eat, which was a plus. So,

> > although I would prefer that Jan was not on meds this

> > one doesn't seem to be bad, IMHO.

> > Tamara

> > --- paulette de wrote:

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I recently just had a visit with my daughters

> > > neurologist. She had been taking Depakane since she

> > > was about 4 yrs old. She is 8 now. Towards the end

> > > it had seemed to be making her very sleepy in the

> > > morning which was interrupting her school work. She

> > > would sleep at school in the morning. Well we took

> > > her off of it in March. She did very well the last

> > > couple of months in school. Now that she is not on

> > > any medication she is doing okay. She does do alot

> > > of

> > > whining and some times little tantrums. I talked to

> > > the doctor and we both agreed to wait till she

> > > started

> > > school again. He wants to start her on Risperdol.

> > > I

> > > have heard so many things about this drug bad &

> > > good.

> > > He wants to start her off small and a maxium dose of

> > > 1ml. I know most of yall have discussed this med

> > > before but would like some input on this. 's

> > > email really helped.

> > >

> > > thanks,

> > > paulette (mother to le 8yrs)

> > >

> > >

> > > --- Dougherty wrote:

> > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > control

> > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > March and although she is

> > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > gained weight since being

> > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > me

> > > > a report about taking

> > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > However, we had problems

> > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > hoping

> > > > to see her name on the

> > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > report.

> > > > My best,

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > > __________________________________________________

> > >

[Guest guest]

where do you live in Missouri? I am in Rolla.

Do you get services from a Regional Center?

Tamara

--- mogang@... wrote:

> My daughter, ie, is tall and leggy, just turned

> 11 and as she tells

> us....A pre-teen. Puberty scares us but

> fortuanately we live on a farm and

> the birds and bees are always among us! Our funnest

> story since she has

> really come into her " own " ... we asked her... " how

> did you know that? " S.J.

> " oh, I know everything, I'm a genius....pregnant

> pause....Dad? What's a

> genius " She is the joy of our lives as is her 9

> year old brother.

>

> - Missouri

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely worried

about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one of you

has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she was

autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that she

would not give them any info so there was nothing else they could

do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the public

about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

because often they do not!

Lyn

[Guest guest]

yes, my daughter is High-functioning Autistic, she is immature for her age,

as her cognitive is way out,you must not give her two many instructions at

once, just the simple and basic. She has her little obsessions too. Like

not wanting you to talk at certain times, and repeating the thing she just

did, if you did talk!!!which really annoys me sometimes. If i get her hair

brush, she immediately takes it off me, goes back puts it down, then she

gets it. Hair clips must be put into hair a certain way [grrr], without any

talking, and if i say " there all done " at the end, well all heck breaks

loose,and we have to start again!!! is this what you mean by obsesions???

Her speech is improving, and word useage. she loves music, and can remember

actions, and words of songs that is amazing. She has never had the hand

flapping as far as i know. I have never had her IQ tested, but it would be

hard, as some stranger would have done it in a strange environment, so maybe

when she is older i would do it, when i know she could handle her

surroundings better. All the best, Cheryl

Re: Re: ages of your daughters

Cheryl, Mildly autistic was what the diagnosis said from Kennedy Kreiger

Institute in Baltimore, Md. She was previously diagnosed as PDD, but

changed to Mildly autistic when she began to flap her hands and arms and has

serious obsessions. I guess she would be a high functioning autistic if she

didn't have the other problems. Mildly mentally retarded diagnosis was

because she scored 80 in the IQ test. As I said, she is also

developmentally delayed. It is hard sometimes, because I don't what is

causing what. I definitely can relate to several of the daughters' systems,

but I do wish I had had this information when she was younger.

Betty

Re: Re: Medication

> >

> >

> > > Except for weight gain, a part of which might have

> > > been due to natural " growth spurt " , due to increased

> > > appetite we have seen no ill effects from Risperdal.

> > > In fact, it has greatly improved our daughtr's

> > > behavior and sort of " leveled off " her moods. She was

> > > drowsy for the first two or three days but soon

> > > adjusted. The appetite increase also increased the

> > > variety of foods she would eat, which was a plus. So,

> > > although I would prefer that Jan was not on meds this

> > > one doesn't seem to be bad, IMHO.

> > > Tamara

> > > --- paulette de wrote:

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I recently just had a visit with my daughters

> > > > neurologist. She had been taking Depakane since she

> > > > was about 4 yrs old. She is 8 now. Towards the end

> > > > it had seemed to be making her very sleepy in the

> > > > morning which was interrupting her school work. She

> > > > would sleep at school in the morning. Well we took

> > > > her off of it in March. She did very well the last

> > > > couple of months in school. Now that she is not on

> > > > any medication she is doing okay. She does do alot

> > > > of

> > > > whining and some times little tantrums. I talked to

> > > > the doctor and we both agreed to wait till she

> > > > started

> > > > school again. He wants to start her on Risperdol.

> > > > I

> > > > have heard so many things about this drug bad &

> > > > good.

> > > > He wants to start her off small and a maxium dose of

> > > > 1ml. I know most of yall have discussed this med

> > > > before but would like some input on this. 's

> > > > email really helped.

> > > >

> > > > thanks,

> > > > paulette (mother to le 8yrs)

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > --- Dougherty wrote:

> > > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > > control

> > > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > > March and although she is

> > > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > > gained weight since being

> > > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > > me

> > > > > a report about taking

> > > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > > However, we had problems

> > > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > > hoping

> > > > > to see her name on the

> > > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > > report.

> > > > > My best,

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > __________________________________________________

> > > >

[Guest guest]

I will keep fighting. I think the worst part was finding that the

good guys, weren't.

I've thought long and hard about this--

How can the school district be above the law?

The boy who assaulted her was well liked--it's not a secret. His

parents have money and influence, I'm told.

My daughter signed a poice report that said the boys frightened and

intimidated her when they did this.

I never heard where the teacher was when this all happened. I asked

that and What was done to make sure this would never happen again?

Where were the adults? What has been done so that the boys know they

cannot do this again?--Have they received counseling?--Is my daughter

safe?

What was that school doing when they should have been making it

right? Covering their butts--that's what. I was told it was " an

administrative issue. " The principal who said this, by the way, just

happened to retire this year.

They weren't even going to suspend the boy until I raised a stink--

one day suspension.

One month later, my daughter's IEP read, " Good job, we'll do more

next year!!! "

No goals, no percentiles, no resources--nothing.

(The PAVE advocate that I later called, as a result of this meeting,

said my daughter's IEP has been screwed up from day one and that a

kindergarten math level for a fourth grader is not " good, " in fact

it's pretty darn low.)

I had brought the school's family advocate to the meeting with me--in

her mind she was there for families, not the district (I know she's

gotten a lot of heat for her attitude). There was no district rep at

the meeting, per law. The family advocate and I tried to get some

protection written into the IEP. The teacher literally rolled her

eyes, as if to say " Oh brother, how can you be so stupid? "

To this day, I continue to be very angry about her attitude toward my

daughter-- " psychosomatic " and " hysterical " are the words

this " Special Ed " teacher has applied to my autistic daughter. The

principal covered the eye rolling incident--she said that I said I

saw nothing when the family advocate reported the eye-rolling

attitude to her. So, I added it to my OCR report that we had both

seen it.

I filed my OCR complaint. I dragged in a PAVE advocate who let me

know of the IEP attrocities in the Seattle School District--many

against children of color (Yes, racism is alive and well). The

school district, in turn, dragged in their attorney who

misrepresented herself to me and my fiance by saying she was there

because she works with the Office of Civil Rights and then said

something about protecting students. I thought justice would be

done, naive innocent that I was.

She had the nerve to threaten the PAVE advocate, when the advocate

suggested that the child's parents should be treated as part of the

team by her--instead of adversaries.

The attorney said to the PAVE advocate, " Watch it--You DON'T want to

see the flip-side of (insert attorney's full name here)! " The family

advocate for the school walked out and the PAVE advocate cooly

said, " I'm not afraid of you. " Then she said to me, " I have just been

threatened--you're my witness. "

I sat in flabbergasted awe as the district's attorney commandeered my

daughter's IEP meeting.

Something good came of it--even though my daughter was stuck for a

year with an unsigned IEP--an independent evaluation was done of my

daughter at the school district's expense.

I'm still not sure she's getting her needs met. I found support

where I didn't expect it from a school psychologist, who quit working

for the district this year. She told me she likes the kids, she just

can't stand working for the district.

I'm hearing from attorneys that my daughter is entitled to everything

she needs. My attorney presented me with a long list of stuff I need

to ask for " at least. " The school district doesn't seem to know that

my daughter is entitled to all these things. They're still telling

me--this is what we have to offer, pick one. " Here's an example of

an Autism program but there's no openings--you're just here to see a

program--SO, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT! "

I apologize for the tome. Bless you, if you were able to make it

through the whole thing. Thanks for your kind thoughts, your outrage

and your support. I'm telling you all this because I believe that

knowledge is power, I'm not saying all experiences are like this--but

they seem too common, and it's not right--and maybe someone somewhere

can profit from what I learned the hard way.

Mandy

> > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> worried

> > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one of

> you

> > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> >

> > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she was

> > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> she

> > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they could

> > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the public

> > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > because often they do not!

> >

> > Lyn

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Mandy, what can i possibly say!!! I am dumbfounded. Firstly i live in

australia, so i'm not too familiar with all the school system you have, but

still the same it sure sounds absolutely horrific and disgusting, the

treatment you and your daughter have received. Is this the only school she

can attend???. I know you don't want to be changing schools, but surely

there is something better somewhere!!!! All the best, and keep fighting for

what's right, and what should be right!!!!, Cheryl

Re: ages of your daughters

I will keep fighting. I think the worst part was finding that the

good guys, weren't.

I've thought long and hard about this--

How can the school district be above the law?

The boy who assaulted her was well liked--it's not a secret. His

parents have money and influence, I'm told.

My daughter signed a poice report that said the boys frightened and

intimidated her when they did this.

I never heard where the teacher was when this all happened. I asked

that and What was done to make sure this would never happen again?

Where were the adults? What has been done so that the boys know they

cannot do this again?--Have they received counseling?--Is my daughter

safe?

What was that school doing when they should have been making it

right? Covering their butts--that's what. I was told it was " an

administrative issue. " The principal who said this, by the way, just

happened to retire this year.

They weren't even going to suspend the boy until I raised a stink--

one day suspension.

One month later, my daughter's IEP read, " Good job, we'll do more

next year!!! "

No goals, no percentiles, no resources--nothing.

(The PAVE advocate that I later called, as a result of this meeting,

said my daughter's IEP has been screwed up from day one and that a

kindergarten math level for a fourth grader is not " good, " in fact

it's pretty darn low.)

I had brought the school's family advocate to the meeting with me--in

her mind she was there for families, not the district (I know she's

gotten a lot of heat for her attitude). There was no district rep at

the meeting, per law. The family advocate and I tried to get some

protection written into the IEP. The teacher literally rolled her

eyes, as if to say " Oh brother, how can you be so stupid? "

To this day, I continue to be very angry about her attitude toward my

daughter-- " psychosomatic " and " hysterical " are the words

this " Special Ed " teacher has applied to my autistic daughter. The

principal covered the eye rolling incident--she said that I said I

saw nothing when the family advocate reported the eye-rolling

attitude to her. So, I added it to my OCR report that we had both

seen it.

I filed my OCR complaint. I dragged in a PAVE advocate who let me

know of the IEP attrocities in the Seattle School District--many

against children of color (Yes, racism is alive and well). The

school district, in turn, dragged in their attorney who

misrepresented herself to me and my fiance by saying she was there

because she works with the Office of Civil Rights and then said

something about protecting students. I thought justice would be

done, naive innocent that I was.

She had the nerve to threaten the PAVE advocate, when the advocate

suggested that the child's parents should be treated as part of the

team by her--instead of adversaries.

The attorney said to the PAVE advocate, " Watch it--You DON'T want to

see the flip-side of (insert attorney's full name here)! " The family

advocate for the school walked out and the PAVE advocate cooly

said, " I'm not afraid of you. " Then she said to me, " I have just been

threatened--you're my witness. "

I sat in flabbergasted awe as the district's attorney commandeered my

daughter's IEP meeting.

Something good came of it--even though my daughter was stuck for a

year with an unsigned IEP--an independent evaluation was done of my

daughter at the school district's expense.

I'm still not sure she's getting her needs met. I found support

where I didn't expect it from a school psychologist, who quit working

for the district this year. She told me she likes the kids, she just

can't stand working for the district.

I'm hearing from attorneys that my daughter is entitled to everything

she needs. My attorney presented me with a long list of stuff I need

to ask for " at least. " The school district doesn't seem to know that

my daughter is entitled to all these things. They're still telling

me--this is what we have to offer, pick one. " Here's an example of

an Autism program but there's no openings--you're just here to see a

program--SO, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT! "

I apologize for the tome. Bless you, if you were able to make it

through the whole thing. Thanks for your kind thoughts, your outrage

and your support. I'm telling you all this because I believe that

knowledge is power, I'm not saying all experiences are like this--but

they seem too common, and it's not right--and maybe someone somewhere

can profit from what I learned the hard way.

Mandy

> > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> worried

> > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one of

> you

> > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> >

> > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she was

> > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> she

> > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they could

> > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the public

> > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > because often they do not!

> >

> > Lyn

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, Cheryl.

I told the district I wanted another school--then I found out that

teacher is going to be teaching second grade next year, no more

special ed for her! It's going to be a sub in that classroom--and

most of my daughter's friends are moving on to middle school, so

it'll be a whole new crop of kids anyway. There was an article in

the Seattle Times about how hard up the district is for qualified

Special Ed teachers. Here's the link:

Wanted: Special-education teachers:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?

slug=noteacher20m & date=20010620 & query=teachers

These links are also of interest:

School district pays $180,000 to be free of blind, autistic student

it considers dangerous:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?

slug=harris08 & date=20010408 & query=Autistic

Washington state, schools must step up autism programs:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=sarged25 & date=20010425 & query=Autism

The district gave me three choices--two inclusion programs or a low-

grouping self-contained classroom.

I chose the low-grouping program. I'm no program expert. I'm no

Autism expert. The school I chose is getting a new teacher and by

new, I mean, first year teaching.

I'm probably going to need legal help to get her what she needs--

otherwise it's just picking the best of what they offer me.

I'm told private schools aren't necessarily better than the public

schools--that's according to doctors (who know didley about the

educational side of things) and other parents. My attorney has

warned me that unless I know it's something that I want, I shouldn't

ask for it because they'd probably give it to me and cross me off

their list.

Thanks again, Cheryl.

Mandy

> > > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> > worried

> > > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one

of

> > you

> > > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> > >

> > > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she

was

> > > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> > she

> > > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they

could

> > > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the

public

> > > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > > because often they do not!

> > >

> > > Lyn

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm resending this--if you want to visit the links included

below, you'll have to cut and paste due to e-mail program not

understanding that the links are wrapped.

M

> > > > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> > > worried

> > > > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that

one

> of

> > > you

> > > > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate

the

> > > > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> > > >

> > > > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and

we

> > > > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that

she

> was

> > > > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > > > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me

that

> > > she

> > > > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they

> could

> > > > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the

> public

> > > > about our kids and not accept the response that they

understand

> > > > because often they do not!

> > > >

> > > > Lyn

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Dear mandy, what a story. I even printed it out to keep, and read it to my

husband, he was horrified to say the least!!! Stay strong mandy is all i can

say, and know that you have friends all over the world, [literally, as i'm

in aussie]. When you hear of things like this, it just makes your blood

boil, and feel so sad all in the one moment. I am so very glad that i

finally found this site. If nothing else, at least i can give people support

with words!!!! All the best Mandy, Cheryl.

Re: ages of your daughters

Thanks so much, Cheryl.

I told the district I wanted another school--then I found out that

teacher is going to be teaching second grade next year, no more

special ed for her! It's going to be a sub in that classroom--and

most of my daughter's friends are moving on to middle school, so

it'll be a whole new crop of kids anyway. There was an article in

the Seattle Times about how hard up the district is for qualified

Special Ed teachers. Here's the link:

Wanted: Special-education teachers:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?

slug=noteacher20m & date=20010620 & query=teachers

These links are also of interest:

School district pays $180,000 to be free of blind, autistic student

it considers dangerous:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?

slug=harris08 & date=20010408 & query=Autistic

Washington state, schools must step up autism programs:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-

bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=sarged25 & date=20010425 & query=Autism

The district gave me three choices--two inclusion programs or a low-

grouping self-contained classroom.

I chose the low-grouping program. I'm no program expert. I'm no

Autism expert. The school I chose is getting a new teacher and by

new, I mean, first year teaching.

I'm probably going to need legal help to get her what she needs--

otherwise it's just picking the best of what they offer me.

I'm told private schools aren't necessarily better than the public

schools--that's according to doctors (who know didley about the

educational side of things) and other parents. My attorney has

warned me that unless I know it's something that I want, I shouldn't

ask for it because they'd probably give it to me and cross me off

their list.

Thanks again, Cheryl.

Mandy

> > > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> > worried

> > > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one

of

> > you

> > > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> > >

> > > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she

was

> > > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> > she

> > > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they

could

> > > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the

public

> > > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > > because often they do not!

> > >

> > > Lyn

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Mandy

That is unbelievabe. I can't believe that they did nothing. It is just

appauling that they would let this happen and not do anything. Its

good that the teacher is no teaching special ed next year but that is

not enough. You must be so frustrated and angry. How is your daughter

doing? What a scary time it must have been for her.

Tracey.

red9600@... wrote:

> When my daughter was sexually assaulted in the drama classroom by a

> boy, the boy was defended by the teacher and my daughter was blamed

> by her-- " Well--SHE allowed it! "

> The harrassment a couple weeks later by two different boys in the

> same drama classroom was defended by the teacher-- " Well, they didn't

> TOUCH her... "

> I never got any answers from anybody and you better believe I made a

> stink--

>

> The principal, " This is an administrative issue--one that I am not

> prepared to share with YOU! " (CYA time)

>

> The Office of Civil Rights--which my attorney said is simply a

> glorified branch of the school district--cleared them of wrongdoing

> in blaming the victim and not protecting her.

>

> The Seattle School District--not a word.

>

> The police-- " Well, ma'am, what do you want me to do about it? "

> Me-- " Investigate it of course. "

> P-- " Ma'am, we don't prosecute kids. "

> Me-- " Well, then investigate the district! "

> P-- " They make their own laws. "

> Me-- " Well, then what do I do!!??? "

> P-- " Get an attorney and good luck ma'am. "

>

> My attorney-- " That'll be $20,000 for a due process hearing. If you

> win, and I think you will, you'll get those fees back. But you can't

> sue for punitive damages. "

>

> Child Protective Services-- " We'd just report it to the police. " (see

> above)

> The only good point is that that teacher will NOT be teaching Special

> Ed next year.

>

> I think it is very important to know how this was handled...

> I pray that it never happens to any of you. If it has--you know I

> understand, stay strong and keep fighting.

> If this has angered any one, please don't blame the messenger.

> You should be angry. I am.

> Mandy

>

> Mandy

>

>

>

> > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> worried

> > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one of

> you

> > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> >

> > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she was

> > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> she

> > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they could

> > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the public

> > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > because often they do not!

> >

> > Lyn

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My feeling is that if a child can't protect herself or even

coherently tell someone what happened later, that she should never,

EVER be put in any position where there is any possibility of

anything happening to her. That means constant, 24-hour supervision,

and NEVER being let go play/mall-walk, or whatever, without a

responsible chaperone. After our oldest daughter was molested by an

elderly, gradfatherly neighbor when she was about eight years old, I

didn't even trust my " normal " children with anyone else. If we have

to go back to the time when no female went anywhere without a

chaperone, so be it -- it may feel a little constricting, but fear is

even more constricting.

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

Oh, and Penny, since you seem to like and respect this neighbor mom,

you might want to have a frank talk with her. Tell her you think

she's doing a great job, and you like her children or you wouldn't

let your daughter play with them, but children are children, and you

both know (because you were once children too!) that out of sight of

their parents children can get up to mischief. And just ask her if

she could help you keep Jaqui safe, and her boys, who sound like they

are still young enough that they should be staying innocent yet.

It's kind of a pain to have to keep the children in sight all the

time, but it can be done, and it's part of our responsibility when

God gives us children to raise. I just wish I hadn't been so

trusting when my girls were small, I wouldn't have these regrets now.

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

Sounds to me like a REALLY good reason to get your child out of that

school system, document everything, write a letter to the editor

telling the whole world what happened. The only thing that makes

people wake up and do what's right is fear of consequences, and in

this case it sounds like the only way to give them some

accountability and some adverse consequences is publicity, since

obviously none of these people are going to police themselves. And I

wonder if the girl involved were " normal " if they would give the same

responses, or if they would pay a little more attention?

Kathleen

> > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> worried

> > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one of

> you

> > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> >

> > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she

was

> > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> she

> > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they could

> > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the

public

> > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > because often they do not!

> >

> > Lyn

[Guest guest]

Penny... I think you are right to worry about our girls in the

prescence of others who might hurt them but livign in that kind of

fear is a miserable way to live... I know because I live in it now.

I come up with reasons why my daughter cannot spend a few hours alone

with any man in my family. Not because I REALLY think they would do

something but because they are male. One day they will figure me out

and then I will look liek the witch with a B for not trusting them

but for now I cannot escape my fear and it isn't a fun spot to be

in. As far as other children though I do feel like they need to be

closely supervised at all times.

Lyn

[Guest guest]

If she scored 80 on the IQ test and she is autistic, my guess is that

she is not retarded, mildly or otherwise. That's a very high score

for an autistic assuming they used a standard IQ test.

Deanna

Cheryl, Mildly autistic was what the diagnosis said from Kennedy

Kreiger

> Institute in Baltimore, Md. She was previously diagnosed as PDD,

but

> changed to Mildly autistic when she began to flap her hands and

arms and has

> serious obsessions. I guess she would be a high functioning

autistic if she

> didn't have the other problems. Mildly mentally retarded diagnosis

was

> because she scored 80 in the IQ test. As I said, she is also

> developmentally delayed. It is hard sometimes, because I don't

what is

> causing what. I definitely can relate to several of the daughters'

systems,

> but I do wish I had had this information when she was younger.

> Betty

> Re: Re: Medication

> > >

> > >

> > > > Except for weight gain, a part of which might have

> > > > been due to natural " growth spurt " , due to increased

> > > > appetite we have seen no ill effects from Risperdal.

> > > > In fact, it has greatly improved our daughtr's

> > > > behavior and sort of " leveled off " her moods. She was

> > > > drowsy for the first two or three days but soon

> > > > adjusted. The appetite increase also increased the

> > > > variety of foods she would eat, which was a plus. So,

> > > > although I would prefer that Jan was not on meds this

> > > > one doesn't seem to be bad, IMHO.

> > > > Tamara

> > > > --- paulette de <pauletgarza@y...> wrote:

> > > > > Hi,

> > > > >

> > > > > I recently just had a visit with my daughters

> > > > > neurologist. She had been taking Depakane since she

> > > > > was about 4 yrs old. She is 8 now. Towards the end

> > > > > it had seemed to be making her very sleepy in the

> > > > > morning which was interrupting her school work. She

> > > > > would sleep at school in the morning. Well we took

> > > > > her off of it in March. She did very well the last

> > > > > couple of months in school. Now that she is not on

> > > > > any medication she is doing okay. She does do alot

> > > > > of

> > > > > whining and some times little tantrums. I talked to

> > > > > the doctor and we both agreed to wait till she

> > > > > started

> > > > > school again. He wants to start her on Risperdol.

> > > > > I

> > > > > have heard so many things about this drug bad &

> > > > > good.

> > > > > He wants to start her off small and a maxium dose of

> > > > > 1ml. I know most of yall have discussed this med

> > > > > before but would like some input on this. 's

> > > > > email really helped.

> > > > >

> > > > > thanks,

> > > > > paulette (mother to le 8yrs)

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --- Dougherty <jbelle456@h...> wrote:

> > > > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > > > control

> > > > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > > > March and although she is

> > > > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > > > gained weight since being

> > > > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > > > me

> > > > > > a report about taking

> > > > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > > > However, we had problems

> > > > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > > > hoping

> > > > > > to see her name on the

> > > > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > > > report.

> > > > > > My best,

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

> I will keep fighting. I think the worst part was finding that the

> good guys, weren't.

> I've thought long and hard about this--

> How can the school district be above the law?

This is sort of off-topic, but it isn't just the school districts

that consider themselves above the law. My sister-in-law, who is

half Tlinget (Alaska native), a few years ago went in for some minor

surgery in Anchorage. She came out with an unauthorized and

unnecessary total hysterectomy. Then she found out that this had

happened quite a bit to other native women. She and my brother

haven't tried to fight it -- they don't want to get involved with the

ACLU because of the ACLU's stand against Christianity, and they don't

have the resources for a lawyer. But it is just so hard to believe

that in this day and age, people would still be pulling things like

this! And if they can do something like this to a minority group and

get away with it, it isn't so surprising that they think they can get

away with acting like despots where handicapped children are

concerned. (And people think the Holocaust could never happen here --

Hitler began his reign of terror with the handicapped.) Yikes, not

a cheerful note to end on! But the only way to PREVENT that eventual

outcome is to be eternally vigilant. And DON'T let them walk all

over you!!

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

hi Cheryl- I'm with you about the IQ testing. When and if I find

someone who does a visual IQ test well I will consider having B

tested. The psychologist who saw her at OHSU was planing to do an IQ

the day we took her up to have her evaluated- I said I wasn't

interested. I don't know why anyone would want to give a child with

auditory processing problems etc a verbal IQ test! Oh well.

Deanna

> yes, my daughter is High-functioning Autistic, she is immature for

her age,

> as her cognitive is way out,you must not give her two many

instructions at

> once, just the simple and basic. She has her little obsessions

too. Like

> not wanting you to talk at certain times, and repeating the thing

she just

> did, if you did talk!!!which really annoys me sometimes. If i get

her hair

> brush, she immediately takes it off me, goes back puts it down,

then she

> gets it. Hair clips must be put into hair a certain way [grrr],

without any

> talking, and if i say " there all done " at the end, well all heck

breaks

> loose,and we have to start again!!! is this what you mean by

obsesions???

> Her speech is improving, and word useage. she loves music, and can

remember

> actions, and words of songs that is amazing. She has never had the

hand

> flapping as far as i know. I have never had her IQ tested, but it

would be

> hard, as some stranger would have done it in a strange environment,

so maybe

> when she is older i would do it, when i know she could handle her

> surroundings better. All the best, Cheryl

>

> Re: Re: ages of your daughters

>

>

> Cheryl, Mildly autistic was what the diagnosis said from Kennedy

Kreiger

> Institute in Baltimore, Md. She was previously diagnosed as PDD,

but

> changed to Mildly autistic when she began to flap her hands and

arms and has

> serious obsessions. I guess she would be a high functioning

autistic if she

> didn't have the other problems. Mildly mentally retarded diagnosis

was

> because she scored 80 in the IQ test. As I said, she is also

> developmentally delayed. It is hard sometimes, because I don't

what is

> causing what. I definitely can relate to several of the daughters'

systems,

> but I do wish I had had this information when she was younger.

> Betty

> Re: Re: Medication

> > >

> > >

> > > > Except for weight gain, a part of which might have

> > > > been due to natural " growth spurt " , due to increased

> > > > appetite we have seen no ill effects from Risperdal.

> > > > In fact, it has greatly improved our daughtr's

> > > > behavior and sort of " leveled off " her moods. She was

> > > > drowsy for the first two or three days but soon

> > > > adjusted. The appetite increase also increased the

> > > > variety of foods she would eat, which was a plus. So,

> > > > although I would prefer that Jan was not on meds this

> > > > one doesn't seem to be bad, IMHO.

> > > > Tamara

> > > > --- paulette de <pauletgarza@y...> wrote:

> > > > > Hi,

> > > > >

> > > > > I recently just had a visit with my daughters

> > > > > neurologist. She had been taking Depakane since she

> > > > > was about 4 yrs old. She is 8 now. Towards the end

> > > > > it had seemed to be making her very sleepy in the

> > > > > morning which was interrupting her school work. She

> > > > > would sleep at school in the morning. Well we took

> > > > > her off of it in March. She did very well the last

> > > > > couple of months in school. Now that she is not on

> > > > > any medication she is doing okay. She does do alot

> > > > > of

> > > > > whining and some times little tantrums. I talked to

> > > > > the doctor and we both agreed to wait till she

> > > > > started

> > > > > school again. He wants to start her on Risperdol.

> > > > > I

> > > > > have heard so many things about this drug bad &

> > > > > good.

> > > > > He wants to start her off small and a maxium dose of

> > > > > 1ml. I know most of yall have discussed this med

> > > > > before but would like some input on this. 's

> > > > > email really helped.

> > > > >

> > > > > thanks,

> > > > > paulette (mother to le 8yrs)

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > --- Dougherty <jbelle456@h...> wrote:

> > > > > > Hi Tamara,

> > > > > > My daughter, , just started taking

> > > > > > Risperadol towards the end of

> > > > > > March. Up until then, we had been trying to

> > > > > control

> > > > > > her whining, crying and

> > > > > > anger through natural means. She just turned 12 in

> > > > > > March and although she is

> > > > > > developing, she hasn't started her period yet. The

> > > > > > Risperadol not only

> > > > > > calmed her, but also helped with her attention and

> > > > > > focus in school. Her fear

> > > > > > of dogs has also greatly diminished. She also has

> > > > > > gained weight since being

> > > > > > on it, but like your daughter was thin and the

> > > > > > filling out really looks good

> > > > > > on her so far. For your info, another parent sent

> > > > > me

> > > > > > a report about taking

> > > > > > Zantac or Pepcid to help fight the weight gain.

> > > > > > However, we had problems

> > > > > > with our computer and this info got lost. I'm

> > > > > hoping

> > > > > > to see her name on the

> > > > > > list so I can contact her again to get this

> > > > > report.

> > > > > > My best,

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > __________________________________________________

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

You are keeping all of us from putting our heads in the sand! I have

seen the eye rolling, the smug looks. My problem is the sd thinks

Oregon law is above federal law! Thank you for keeping us informed.

It's such an outrage I can't even think of anything useful to

say!!!!

Deanna

ill keep fighting. I think the worst part was finding that the

> good guys, weren't.

> I've thought long and hard about this--

> How can the school district be above the law?

>

> The boy who assaulted her was well liked--it's not a secret. His

> parents have money and influence, I'm told.

>

> My daughter signed a poice report that said the boys frightened and

> intimidated her when they did this.

>

> I never heard where the teacher was when this all happened. I asked

> that and What was done to make sure this would never happen again?

> Where were the adults? What has been done so that the boys know

they

> cannot do this again?--Have they received counseling?--Is my

daughter

> safe?

> What was that school doing when they should have been making it

> right? Covering their butts--that's what. I was told it was " an

> administrative issue. " The principal who said this, by the way,

just

> happened to retire this year.

> They weren't even going to suspend the boy until I raised a stink--

> one day suspension.

> One month later, my daughter's IEP read, " Good job, we'll do more

> next year!!! "

> No goals, no percentiles, no resources--nothing.

> (The PAVE advocate that I later called, as a result of this

meeting,

> said my daughter's IEP has been screwed up from day one and that a

> kindergarten math level for a fourth grader is not " good, " in fact

> it's pretty darn low.)

> I had brought the school's family advocate to the meeting with me--

in

> her mind she was there for families, not the district (I know she's

> gotten a lot of heat for her attitude). There was no district rep

at

> the meeting, per law. The family advocate and I tried to get some

> protection written into the IEP. The teacher literally rolled her

> eyes, as if to say " Oh brother, how can you be so stupid? "

> To this day, I continue to be very angry about her attitude toward

my

> daughter-- " psychosomatic " and " hysterical " are the words

> this " Special Ed " teacher has applied to my autistic daughter. The

> principal covered the eye rolling incident--she said that I said I

> saw nothing when the family advocate reported the eye-rolling

> attitude to her. So, I added it to my OCR report that we had both

> seen it.

> I filed my OCR complaint. I dragged in a PAVE advocate who let me

> know of the IEP attrocities in the Seattle School District--many

> against children of color (Yes, racism is alive and well). The

> school district, in turn, dragged in their attorney who

> misrepresented herself to me and my fiance by saying she was there

> because she works with the Office of Civil Rights and then said

> something about protecting students. I thought justice would be

> done, naive innocent that I was.

>

> She had the nerve to threaten the PAVE advocate, when the advocate

> suggested that the child's parents should be treated as part of the

> team by her--instead of adversaries.

> The attorney said to the PAVE advocate, " Watch it--You DON'T want to

> see the flip-side of (insert attorney's full name here)! " The

family

> advocate for the school walked out and the PAVE advocate cooly

> said, " I'm not afraid of you. " Then she said to me, " I have just

been

> threatened--you're my witness. "

> I sat in flabbergasted awe as the district's attorney commandeered

my

> daughter's IEP meeting.

> Something good came of it--even though my daughter was stuck for a

> year with an unsigned IEP--an independent evaluation was done of my

> daughter at the school district's expense.

> I'm still not sure she's getting her needs met. I found support

> where I didn't expect it from a school psychologist, who quit

working

> for the district this year. She told me she likes the kids, she

just

> can't stand working for the district.

> I'm hearing from attorneys that my daughter is entitled to

everything

> she needs. My attorney presented me with a long list of stuff I

need

> to ask for " at least. " The school district doesn't seem to know

that

> my daughter is entitled to all these things. They're still telling

> me--this is what we have to offer, pick one. " Here's an example of

> an Autism program but there's no openings--you're just here to see

a

> program--SO, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT! "

>

> I apologize for the tome. Bless you, if you were able to make it

> through the whole thing. Thanks for your kind thoughts, your

outrage

> and your support. I'm telling you all this because I believe that

> knowledge is power, I'm not saying all experiences are like this--

but

> they seem too common, and it's not right--and maybe someone

somewhere

> can profit from what I learned the hard way.

> Mandy

>

>

>

> > > My daughter is 7 and has precocious puberty so I am extremely

> > worried

> > > about her being taken advantage of. I am glad to see that one

of

> > you

> > > has put your daughter on birth control pills. I, too, hate the

> > > thought of it but, it beats the alternative, I guess.

> > >

> > > And as to the sexual harrassment, my daughter was abused and we

> > > notified the police immediately. I explained to them that she

was

> > > autistic... they said they knew about autism, but after they

> > > interviewed her about the incident... alone... they told me that

> > she

> > > would not give them any info so there was nothing else they

could

> > > do. I was livid! It is very important that we educate the

public

> > > about our kids and not accept the response that they understand

> > > because often they do not!

> > >

> > > Lyn

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

> I'm told private schools aren't necessarily better than the public

> schools--that's according to doctors (who know didley about the

> educational side of things) and other parents. My attorney has

> warned me that unless I know it's something that I want, I

shouldn't

> ask for it because they'd probably give it to me and cross me off

> their list.

It is true that private schools aren't necessarily going to be better

than the public schools. Even home-schooling isn't necessarily

better, unless the parents make it better. You all are learning what

I wish all parents would realize, that if you don't get in there and

get involved with your child's education and be fully responsible for

them YOURSELF (not dumping that responsibility off on someone else),

they can't be sure of GETTING an education. This applies to ALL

children, not just autistic or other handicaps. (I know I'm yelling,

but I get so upset with the apathy I see most parents have about

this -- sometimes I feel like I care more about their children than

they do!).

I'll tell you a little story here, a true one, unfortunately. My

church has a very good little Christian school (not particularly set

up for handicapped children, but still very sound spiritually and

academically). People put their children in our school, agreeing

with our position that character is the most important thing, because

as we tell them, once the character is there, the academics fall into

place. (And this has been proven true many times!) Well, they stay

for a little while, sometimes for a few years, even, but they find

that their own homes can't measure up to what the children are

learning at school. So, do they desire a higher standard at home?

Do they work on improving themselves and their own character for

their children's sakes? No, they do not! They pull the children out

on one pretext or another, and in a few years we usually hear of

those children being in one kind of trouble or another -- unwed

mothers, drugs, in jail, etc. Now many of you are learning just how

much effort you have to put out for the sake of your handicapped

child getting the education she needs -- how many of you are putting

the same effort into your " normal " children's education and character

development? (This isn't meant as a put-down of anyone, I hope no

one takes it that way. It's meant as a wake-up call.) Fight for ALL

your children, and teach others to fight for their children, too!!!

Kathleen

[Guest guest]

>>> My sister-in-law, who is half Tlinget (Alaska native), a few years

ago went in for some minor surgery in Anchorage. She came out with an unauthorized

and unnecessary total hysterectomy<<<

what? What? WHAT? All I have to say today is...ARRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHH Penny-------------------------------------------------------- " What a way to promote Autism Awareness Month - please encourage people at your school, church, or neighborhood to see

this video.http://www.solvingthepuzzle.org " - I also encourage my friends to add this URL to their signature line and help spread the

word! " If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away. " --Henry Thoreau