RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA

April 29, 2010

I have never been denied access to my child's classroom? And I have no affiliation with the Broward Schools.Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:06:13 -0400To: <sList >Subject: RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Â Miss Chair, what do we do for all the other parents who aredenied appropriate access to the classroom? From:sList [mailto:sList ] On BehalfOf ewihlborgaolSent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 9:03 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Thanks for the kind words. I work with the districtSent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn>Date: Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:22:31 -0400To: <sList >Subject: RE: Re: Broward Schools usesABA You are one of a kind because you arethe only parent in Broward Schools who has the freedom to visit your child'sclassroom whenever you like. Which by the way, is the way it should be. Eventhough federal law insures it, school officials ignore it. Most often I futuredate is set up in order to visit the class and the school prepares ademonstration of the class you visit. I am not interested in demonstrations. I am not really interested in visiting an empty classroom or seeing thematerials they use because these are the easiest things to accomplishcorrectly. But parents are constantly denied the opportunity to visit an actualclass. In an open society, their secrecy is bewildering. Â· Well, Ms. Chair, do youwork for the district or with the district? From:sList [mailto:sList ] On BehalfOf ewihlborgaolSent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 10:35 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Thanks !Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn> Date:Tue, 27 Apr 2010 20:02:03 -0400To:<sList >Subject:RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA , you are one of a kind. From:sList [mailto:sList ] On BehalfOf ewihlborgaolSent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 6:34 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA I'm allowed to come by whenever I want. I have stopped by my sons class severaltimes this yearSent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn> Date:Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:17:31 -0400To:<sList >Subject:RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA , ask either the Autism Coach orthe ESE Specialist if it would be alright for you to just stop in someday tovisit the class. See what kind of support they give you. You have doneeverything right except finding out how the theory translates into practice. From:sList [mailto:sList ] On BehalfOf ewihlborgaolSent: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 9:00 AMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA I toured about a half dozen schools when my son was in pre-k. I saw charter andprivate schools and couldn't believe some of the schools I saw. My ex husbandasked me about our local elementary school and I believe that's how I got aholdof Marva. She answered our millions of questions even when I couldn't think ofeverything the day I toured the school. She showed me the classrooms, materialsthat are used etc. I met with the ese specialist of the school and theprincipal who is so proud of the cluster program. Marvas knowledge and the waythe cluster is run is what sold us on taking our son there. The support I getstill is amazing. If I'm unsure of anything they explain it to me Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From:Lupita Wiggans <mgadl> Date:Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:01:55 -0700 (PDT)To:<sList >Subject:Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA ,Would you mind sharing what were the schools you toured, your thoughts aboutthem, and where you found Marva? Your information is valuable to us who arelooking to the future for a good school for a child with autism.Thank you. From: " ewihlborgaol " <ewihlborgaol>To: sList Sent: Mon, April 26, 2010 9:02:56 AMSubject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA I have to say this . First, Marva was the coach at my sons school lastyear. My ex and I toured several schools and the school she was at was the lastschool we saw. She impressed us so much, with her knowledge, experience,program etc that we knew her school was a great fit! Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From:marva_knight@ yahoo.com Date:Mon, 26 Apr 2010 01:05:18 +0000To:<sList@ yahoogroups. com>Subject:Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA ,It is my wish that Broward teachers will one day have someone like you (withyour passion and fervor) to fight for more funding so that children with autismwill have what they need and that classrooms are appropriately staffed at alltimes even in the face of budget cuts. It's your type of dedication that makeimportant changes in society on a whole.But generally speaking, coaches are well educated (most are master degreed),compassionate, not only interested but dedicated to caring for children withautism. They have been in the field for a long time yet they continue to attendmandatory meetings and conferences on the most current research related to autism.Marva:Former coach, current autism teacher and dedicated mother of a wonderfulllittle boy with autism. Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn (DOT) com> Date:Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:17:27 -0400To:<sList@ yahoogroups. com>Subject:RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Wishful thinking? From:sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] OnBehalf Of marva_knight@ yahoo.comSent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 11:22 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA ,The years of experience requirement is listed on the county vacancy list whenthose jobs are posted. A coach cannot teach a skill to another teacher that she/he have little or noknowlege of so I would think they must be experienced in the field. Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn (DOT) com> Date:Sat, 24 Apr 2010 16:53:25 -0400To:<sList@ yahoogroups. com>Subject:RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Hello Marva, I'm sorry but i might have been alittle insensitive to suggest that autism coaches are not able to do anythingbeyond breathing. Their only teaching duties are to teach faculty and staff andnot students. I cannot find my copy of the requirements for the position but Idon't remember it mentioning 2 years of experience in teaching children withautism. Maybe you can refer me to the proper site. Thanks From:sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] OnBehalf Of marva_knight@ yahoo.comSent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 12:02 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA ,The general job description for an autism coach states they must have at least2 years successful years of teaching children with autism. One of the many roles that's not stated is that they are the curriculum personfor the cluster classes. That means they must be versed in not only the TEACCHSystem but also in general curriculum and discrete trials at some schools.Coaches also train, model and support teachers. They write IEPs, substitute incluster classes, attend required trainings and many, many, other duties asassigned. I think it takes more than " the ability to breathe " or even a minimalknowledge of autism to do this job and be a source of support to teachers,students and families. Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From: " Heifferon " <gary00001msn (DOT) com> Date:Sat, 24 Apr 2010 09:15:13 -0400To:<sList@ yahoogroups. com>Subject:RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA No wonder it is such a mess!! It remindsme of the saying, " A little bit of knowledge can be harmful. " In considering the qualifications of the position the outcome may be morelike, " the blind leading the blind " . Would you hire a teacherwho " generally knows " about teaching? So, why hire an autism coachwho may know something about autism and/or behavior? Non of them are requiredto know anything about autism or behavior. If I'm wrong about their qualifications,where am I wrong? From:sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] OnBehalf Of austintandt@ bellsouth. netSent: Friday, April 23, 2010 4:19 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA Autism coaches generally know a lot about behavior andhelp teachers to implement strategies for both behavioral issues and academics. Often, implementing visuals, social stories, etc. isenough to assist a child in being successful in the classroom. The coaches also assist in setting up the classroomsin ways that help the students access their curriculum. They helpwith scheduling, collaborate with teachers and agencies like CARD. Theyattend a lot of trainings. From: meandmyraingirl Sent:Friday, April 23, 2010 12:31 PMTo: sListyahoogroups (DOT) com Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA They now expect the autism coach to be the 'behavioral specialist.'Sent on the SprintÂ® Now Network from my BlackBerryÂ®From:Gabi Co <bijcom> Date:Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:59:52 -0700 (PDT)To:<sListyahoogroups (DOT) com>Subject:Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA soit's even worse...The once a week schedule I heard from Everglades, where they do have acluster with an Autism coach, but no behavior specialist.GabiFrom: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>Subject: RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABATo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 9:57 PM Or to restate thequestion, what Broward school did your child attend where he received ABAonce a week? From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sListyahoogroups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of Ana EsparzaSent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 3:42 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA , What school does your child attend? Ana From: monicagomez1954 <monicagomez1954@ yahoo.com>To: sList@ yahoogroups. comSent: Thu, April 22, 2010 3:02:31 PMSubject: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA The ABA will only come once a week in every school, they're not thereeveryday for your child and if your child is in crisis..they still willcome one day a week and the school teacher's are not trained for thecrisis, sorry but it's the truth..been there..done that...I had to swtichmy child to a special school where they have ABA everyday.>> It is my understanding that Broward Schools now offers ABA in it'sschools. If you think your child needs it, I suggest you ask and make sureyou post your request in the Parent Input Section of your IEP.>

April 29, 2010

Liz,

Maybe the word " deceive " is a better word. One of my

visits was cancelled and the teacher commented to me that it was a shame

because she had done her preparation for the class. Prepare what? It was

obvious that the Speech Class of two was given instruction that the 2 had

mastered. It would leave the observer to think they didn't need the class. It

was an artificial demonstration of class activity. Next time I will go to the

Principal first and not wait for a date.

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 1:18 AM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA

and others,

the Broward teachers' Union, not the individual school,

asks on behalf of the teachers, that the teacher is notified a day or so

prior to any observation. One reason why this is done is simply

that the room can get crowded with visitors. The cluster classroom

receives visitors all the time, OTs, PTs, the ESE specilist, psychologists,

college students, behaviorists, district program speciaists, outside

agencies and therapists, and advocates are constantly in and out of

cluster rooms. In addition, the cluster class has a speech therapist, a coach

and assistants who work in the room. How on earth is it possible to

" hide " things there from the public? It is impossible.

Anyone should be ale to schedule an observation within a

week. If not I would contact the school's ESE specialist, AP and

principal and let them know. I would observe different setting such

as speech with the SLP, teacher time with the ESE teacher and Specials with

the Specials teacher. After the observation, during the teacher's planning

time when the students have left, I would meet with the teacher,

the SLP or the PE coach that I observed. Many educators will

appreciate this opportunity to learn more about autism and your kid. More importantly,

it gives you a chance to see how you kid functions at school.

Liz

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>

Subject: RE: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Thursday, April 22, 2010, 9:57 PM

Or to restate the

question, what Broward school did your child attend where he received ABA

once a week?

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Ana Esparza

Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 3:42 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Re: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA

,

What school does your child attend?

Ana

From: monicagomez1954 <monicagomez1954@ yahoo.com>

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Sent: Thu, April 22, 2010 3:02:31 PM

Subject: Re: Broward Schools uses ABA

The ABA will only come once a week in every school,

they're not there everyday for your child and if your child is in

crisis..they still will come one day a week and the school teacher's are

not trained for the crisis, sorry but it's the truth..been there..done

that...I had to swtich my child to a special school where they have ABA

everyday.

>

> It is my understanding that Broward Schools now offers ABA in it's

schools. If you think your child needs it, I suggest you ask and make

sure you post your request in the Parent Input Section of your IEP.

>

April 29, 2010