You ARE the expert

[Guest guest]

Jacque, good luck next week. I am sorry that you are facing the obstacles

that you are with Austin. It just doesn't seem fair that we as parents have

to re-educate each new educational team that works with our children. You

are such a wonderful advocate and have traveled so far looking for

information for Austin. I remember meeting you in Vancouver, B.C. when

Austin was quite young. I wish I could do more than give you my support,

but know that we are all with you as you continue to advocate for Austin!!!

Hugs - Sally

Message: 7

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 00:18:33 EDT

From: JClif222@...

Subject: Re: Digest Number 2924

I have advocated for total communication since pre-K. I've told the school

we use sign, speech, gesture, picture, object - whatever to get the message

through. I need to learn more about this new teacher and her views. I

then

need to share with her the established, best practices for working with

deaf-blind children. I've got to stay calm and appear matter-of-fact with

these

folks or I lose all credibility. The way I look at it, I am the expert on

Austin and his deaf-blindness and I'm an expert in researching what he

needs. I

may not have the creativity or time to create elaborate laminated calendar

systems for the home, but I do know what is going on across the country and

I

have traveled the U.S. to gain knowledge and information about my child. I

am

like any concerned parent and I should not be expected to do the teachers

job.

Austin is my first child; I've not had the experience of a first child

meeting typical milestones. I've never taken breathing, swallowing, walking,

etc.

for granted. :-( My 2nd child has shown me how children learn vicariously.

What a huge, profound difference from a child who has vision and hearing

loss, along with other medical issues thrown in for good measure!! Just

this

evening, as we were reading her A.R. books, I found myself signing words

that

she was sounding out... what does that tell you about total communication.

She

knows and understands a word by sign before she can sound it out. She will

be bilingual at the least!!

I feel much more calm and capable after reading the support of many of you

who face, and have responded, to these same issues one or more times.

Monday, the teachers will see the literature on communication and

deaf-blind

children; Tuesday they will receive more info and then on Weds. we will

discuss this in person and I know that if they do not " get it " I will

proceed

with a formal complaint or a 504 violation complaint for the violation of

Austin's basic civil rights to receive a free and appropriate education!!!

Thank

you all for your support!!

Jacque