Intro and request

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone,I've been lurking for about a week now... and while I'm acquainted with and Ed (another newbie) and I met ever-so-briefly, I'd like to get to know everyone else, too.: )

My name is Lydia but I perform as a singer/songwriter under the name Sister Sunshine. I also build websites and tutor computer-related stuff.I'm a 44 year old mother and wife in Hollywood, and I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year (2008) but have been studying Autism ever since I met Ed's beautiful daughter in 2006. None of my children have been diagnosed with anything... although I suspect they're not all neurotypical, they don't have any problems as a result and we operate on the basis of " if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it " around here. I feel that knowing their quirks so that they can be accommodated is half the battle. (Not that we don't have some REAL battles around here!)

My request is in regard to my new position with examiner.com as the Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner.I'm writing my first article about education, and specifically about clusters, inclusion and homeschooling as our choices. I would like for everyone who has experience with these three choices to write me here in the group (or privately if there is something you don't wish to share publicly). However, ultimately I would like to include some actual quotes, with permission... so please let me know if you do NOT wish to be quoted and I won't bother to ask - I'll just include your information in the overall article (possibly paraphrased or blended with things other people said) rather than as a specific quote.

Also, if there are some topics you'd like to see me cover in future articles, please feel free to bombard me liberally with them. I need all the ideas I can get. Especially those about which one might have trouble finding the information sought. <~~ challenge me!

: )I love the caring and considerate manner in which the members of this list relate to each other, and enjoy reading your posts and learning more as I do so. Thank you, , for creating this valuable resource... and thanks in advance to any who respond to my request(s).

Sincerely,~Lydia-- Lydia www.rainbow-websites.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

" Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. " ~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIS

http://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepress.com/autismrules

<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Hi Lydia,

(A word to the group: Lydia and I met at a function having nothing to do with autism; I noticed she was reading Temple Grandin's book, and we struck up a conversation. Lydia is personable and articulate, I took to her instantly, and I hope we can help her out with her project.)

My experience with the cluster system has been mostly positive. Which is not to say I agreed with all the teachers all the time, far from it. But I found that without without exeption, the teachers wanted my son to learn and progress, and he did learn and progress a great deal. We were all on the same team, just had different strategies in mind. Any strong objection on my part was addressed and if not implemented initially, at least a compromise was made.

A good example of this is my constant urging of the school and teachers to mainstream Noah with an aide. Most folks, including lots of other parents, thought this was a terrible idea because he would never be independent, they said, if an aide was with him. A compromise was reached in elementary school, in 3rd grade, whereby he was primarily a cluster student but was mainstreamed into specials and lunch, with an aide. We repeated that year. By the time he was in 4th grade, our IEPs were centered around how many minutes he should be mainstreamed and how many minutes in the cluster, and the mainstreaming minutes increased incrementally. In 5th grade, he was mostly in the mainstream, with a "transition aide," who was with my son and one or two others, depending on the day and class. But our final IEP that year recommended full mainstreaming with a one-on-one aide, and that's what we got in middle school, all

three years, and now in 9th grade in high school.

(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school. I've never been sure why that is.)

I don't believe that Noah would be where he is today without the nurturing, individual instruction of the cluster in elementary school.

Subject: Intro and requestTo: sList Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:35 AM

Hello everyone,I've been lurking for about a week now... and while I'm acquainted with and Ed (another newbie) and I met ever-so-briefly, I'd like to get to know everyone else, too.: )My name is Lydia but I perform as a singer/songwriter under the name Sister Sunshine. I also build websites and tutor computer-related stuff.I'm a 44 year old mother and wife in Hollywood, and I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year (2008) but have been studying Autism ever since I met Ed's beautiful daughter in 2006. None of my children have been diagnosed with anything... although I suspect they're not all neurotypical, they don't have any problems as a result and we operate on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" around here. I feel that knowing their quirks so that they can be accommodated is half the battle. (Not that we don't have some REAL battles around here!)My request is in regard to my new

position with examiner.com as the Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner.I'm writing my first article about education, and specifically about clusters, inclusion and homeschooling as our choices. I would like for everyone who has experience with these three choices to write me here in the group (or privately if there is something you don't wish to share publicly). However, ultimately I would like to include some actual quotes, with permission.. . so please let me know if you do NOT wish to be quoted and I won't bother to ask - I'll just include your information in the overall article (possibly paraphrased or blended with things other people said) rather than as a specific quote.Also, if there are some topics you'd like to see me cover in future articles, please feel free to bombard me liberally with them. I need all the ideas I can get. Especially those

about which one might have trouble finding the information sought. <~~ challenge me!: )I love the caring and considerate manner in which the members of this list relate to each other, and enjoy reading your posts and learning more as I do so. Thank you, , for creating this valuable resource... and thanks in advance to any who respond to my request(s).Sincerely,~Lydia-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 "Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word."~Ron <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

stated:

"(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school. I've never been sure why that is.)"

My response as an employee with a local school district:

---money...

If the school board (schools) could provide the transitional aides in the middle and high schools, that would be great. A safe place/classroom such as the VE class and then transition out to mainstream as appropriate and/or able. With support. Not a velcro para, but an aide trained in fading, prompting and behavioral strategies. Broward seems to drop the ball once the child hits middle school. There appear to be few options.

I apologize as I don't know this particular situation but there is a lot of research regarding the adverse affects of having a one-to-one/velcro paraprofessional. So, I personally, have an aversion to it based on my experience at the school board and research.

From: Karp

Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 2:56 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Intro and request

Hi Lydia,

(A word to the group: Lydia and I met at a function having nothing to do with autism; I noticed she was reading Temple Grandin's book, and we struck up a conversation. Lydia is personable and articulate, I took to her instantly, and I hope we can help her out with her project.)

My experience with the cluster system has been mostly positive. Which is not to say I agreed with all the teachers all the time, far from it. But I found that without without exeption, the teachers wanted my son to learn and progress, and he did learn and progress a great deal. We were all on the same team, just had different strategies in mind. Any strong objection on my part was addressed and if not implemented initially, at least a compromise was made.

A good example of this is my constant urging of the school and teachers to mainstream Noah with an aide. Most folks, including lots of other parents, thought this was a terrible idea because he would never be independent, they said, if an aide was with him. A compromise was reached in elementary school, in 3rd grade, whereby he was primarily a cluster student but was mainstreamed into specials and lunch, with an aide. We repeated that year. By the time he was in 4th grade, our IEPs were centered around how many minutes he should be mainstreamed and how many minutes in the cluster, and the mainstreaming minutes increased incrementally. In 5th grade, he was mostly in the mainstream, with a "transition aide," who was with my son and one or two others, depending on the day and class. But our final IEP that year recommended full mainstreaming with a one-on-one aide, and that's what we got in middle school, all three years, and now in 9th grade in high school.

(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school. I've never been sure why that is.)

I don't believe that Noah would be where he is today without the nurturing, individual instruction of the cluster in elementary school.

From: Lydia Glider- <mizlydiagmail>Subject: Intro and requestTo: sList Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:35 AM

Hello everyone,I've been lurking for about a week now... and while I'm acquainted with and Ed (another newbie) and I met ever-so-briefly, I'd like to get to know everyone else, too.: )My name is Lydia but I perform as a singer/songwriter under the name Sister Sunshine. I also build websites and tutor computer-related stuff.I'm a 44 year old mother and wife in Hollywood, and I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year (2008) but have been studying Autism ever since I met Ed's beautiful daughter in 2006. None of my children have been diagnosed with anything... although I suspect they're not all neurotypical, they don't have any problems as a result and we operate on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" around here. I feel that knowing their quirks so that they can be accommodated is half the battle. (Not that we don't have some REAL battles around here!)My request is in regard to my new position with examiner.com as the Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner.I'm writing my first article about education, and specifically about clusters, inclusion and homeschooling as our choices. I would like for everyone who has experience with these three choices to write me here in the group (or privately if there is something you don't wish to share publicly). However, ultimately I would like to include some actual quotes, with permission.. . so please let me know if you do NOT wish to be quoted and I won't bother to ask - I'll just include your information in the overall article (possibly paraphrased or blended with things other people said) rather than as a specific quote.Also, if there are some topics you'd like to see me cover in future articles, please feel free to bombard me liberally with them. I need all the ideas I can get. Especially those about which one might have trouble finding the information sought. <~~ challenge me!: )I love the caring and considerate manner in which the members of this list relate to each other, and enjoy reading your posts and learning more as I do so. Thank you, , for creating this valuable resource... and thanks in advance to any who respond to my request(s).Sincerely,~Lydia-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 "Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word."~Ron <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . I appreciate the endorsement.: )I have two questions which may already be answered in an email I haven't read yet.1. Can you give a simple definition of what a cluster is and what it is supposed to accomplish? and

2. Is there a difference between inclusion and mainstreaming, and if so, what is that difference?Thanks everyone. I'll be reading through everyone's responses to yesterday's email shortly.All the best!

~Lydia

 

Hi Lydia,

 

(A word to the group:  Lydia and I met at a function having nothing to do with autism; I noticed she was reading Temple Grandin's book, and we struck up a conversation.  Lydia is personable and articulate, I took to her instantly, and I hope we can help her out with her project.)

 

My experience with the cluster system has been mostly positive.  Which is not to say I agreed with all the teachers all the time, far from it.  But I found that without without exeption, the teachers wanted my son to learn and progress, and he did learn and progress a great deal.  We were all on the same team, just had different strategies in mind.  Any strong objection on my part was addressed and if not implemented initially, at least a compromise was made. 

 

A good example of this is my constant urging of the school and teachers to mainstream Noah with an aide.  Most folks, including lots of other parents, thought this was a terrible idea because he would never be independent, they said, if an aide was with him.  A compromise was reached in elementary school, in 3rd grade, whereby he was primarily a cluster student but was mainstreamed into specials and lunch, with an aide.   We repeated that year.  By the time he was in 4th grade, our IEPs were centered around how many minutes he should be mainstreamed and how many minutes in the cluster, and the mainstreaming minutes increased incrementally.  In 5th grade, he was mostly in the mainstream, with a " transition aide, " who was with my son and one or two others, depending on the day and class.  But our final IEP that year recommended full mainstreaming with a one-on-one aide, and that's what we got in middle school, all

three years, and now in 9th grade in high school. 

 

(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school.  I've never been sure why that is.)

 

I don't believe that Noah would be where he is today without the nurturing, individual instruction of the cluster in elementary school.

 

 

 

 

Subject: Intro and request

To: sList Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:35 AM

 

Hello everyone,I've been lurking for about a week now... and while I'm acquainted with and Ed (another newbie) and I met ever-so-briefly, I'd like to get to know everyone else, too.

: )My name is Lydia but I perform as a singer/songwriter under the name Sister Sunshine. I also build websites and tutor computer-related stuff.I'm a 44 year old mother and wife in Hollywood, and I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year (2008) but have been studying Autism ever since I met Ed's beautiful daughter in 2006. None of my children have been diagnosed with anything... although I suspect they're not all neurotypical, they don't have any problems as a result and we operate on the basis of " if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it " around here. I feel that knowing their quirks so that they can be accommodated is half the battle. (Not that we don't have some REAL battles around here!)

My request is in regard to my new

position with examiner.com as the Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner.I'm writing my first article about education, and specifically about clusters, inclusion and homeschooling as our choices. I would like for everyone who has experience with these three choices to write me here in the group (or privately if there is something you don't wish to share publicly). However, ultimately I would like to include some actual quotes, with permission.. . so please let me know if you do NOT wish to be quoted and I won't bother to ask - I'll just include your information in the overall article (possibly paraphrased or blended with things other people said) rather than as a specific quote.

Also, if there are some topics you'd like to see me cover in future articles, please feel free to bombard me liberally with them. I need all the ideas I can get. Especially those

about which one might have trouble finding the information sought. <~~ challenge me!: )I love the caring and considerate manner in which the members of this list relate to each other, and enjoy reading your posts and learning more as I do so. Thank you, , for creating this valuable resource... and thanks in advance to any who respond to my request(s).

Sincerely,~Lydia-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3

 <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepres s.com/autismrule s<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3

" First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. " ~~Mahatma Gandhi

-- Lydia www.rainbow-websites.com<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word. "

~Ron <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom.info<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designs

http://www.cafepress.com/autismrules<3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3  <3 " First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win. "

~~Mahatma Gandhi

[Guest guest]

You were fortunate. Now with the money crunch it appears as though the trained assistants are moved to other sites. In addition, a VE room with transitions to other "included" classroom actually turn out to have all students with a disability placed in the class - sorta an "adaptive PE" or activity based chorus or other such nonsense. Be aware. I am going to another "staffing" (we had one before the end of last year) already in another week. Parents - please come to the ESE parent advisory on Monday, Sept 21 7-8:30 p.m at Piper H.S. We need to let them be aware that its more than just a few parents that come to the meetings and are spitting mad but trying to go in with "positive" and "teamwork" agendas. I'm tired of being "a good parent"

and not screaming so they don't take it out on anyone else including my child or think I'm a nut case. I do have a great advocate and even this person is appalled at the stuff that is really hitting the fan so far this year.

To: sList Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 3:57:40 PMSubject: Re: Intro and request

stated:

"(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school. I've never been sure why that is.)"

My response as an employee with a local school district:

---money...

If the school board (schools) could provide the transitional aides in the middle and high schools, that would be great. A safe place/classroom such as the VE class and then transition out to mainstream as appropriate and/or able. With support. Not a velcro para, but an aide trained in fading, prompting and behavioral strategies. Broward seems to drop the ball once the child hits middle school. There appear to be few options.

I apologize as I don't know this particular situation but there is a lot of research regarding the adverse affects of having a one-to-one/velcro paraprofessional. So, I personally, have an aversion to it based on my experience at the school board and research.

From: Karp

Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 2:56 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: Re: Intro and request

Hi Lydia,

(A word to the group: Lydia and I met at a function having nothing to do with autism; I noticed she was reading Temple Grandin's book, and we struck up a conversation. Lydia is personable and articulate, I took to her instantly, and I hope we can help her out with her project.)

My experience with the cluster system has been mostly positive. Which is not to say I agreed with all the teachers all the time, far from it. But I found that without without exeption, the teachers wanted my son to learn and progress, and he did learn and progress a great deal. We were all on the same team, just had different strategies in mind. Any strong objection on my part was addressed and if not implemented initially, at least a compromise was made.

A good example of this is my constant urging of the school and teachers to mainstream Noah with an aide. Most folks, including lots of other parents, thought this was a terrible idea because he would never be independent, they said, if an aide was with him. A compromise was reached in elementary school, in 3rd grade, whereby he was primarily a cluster student but was mainstreamed into specials and lunch, with an aide. We repeated that year. By the time he was in 4th grade, our IEPs were centered around how many minutes he should be mainstreamed and how many minutes in the cluster, and the mainstreaming minutes increased incrementally. In 5th grade, he was mostly in the mainstream, with a "transition aide," who was with my son and one or two others, depending on the day and class. But our final IEP that year recommended full mainstreaming with a one-on-one aide, and that's what we got in middle school, all

three years, and now in 9th grade in high school.

(Let me mention at this point that Noah was the only student in his middle school to be mainstreamed with a 1-on-1 aide, and I believe he's the only one in his high school. I've never been sure why that is.)

I don't believe that Noah would be where he is today without the nurturing, individual instruction of the cluster in elementary school.

From: Lydia Glider- <mizlydiagmail (DOT) com>Subject: Intro and requestTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Wednesday, September 16, 2009, 11:35 AM

Hello everyone,I've been lurking for about a week now... and while I'm acquainted with and Ed (another newbie) and I met ever-so-briefly, I'd like to get to know everyone else, too.: )My name is Lydia but I perform as a singer/songwriter under the name Sister Sunshine. I also build websites and tutor computer-related stuff.I'm a 44 year old mother and wife in Hollywood, and I was diagnosed with Asperger's last year (2008) but have been studying Autism ever since I met Ed's beautiful daughter in 2006. None of my children have been diagnosed with anything... although I suspect they're not all neurotypical, they don't have any problems as a result and we operate on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it" around here. I feel that knowing their quirks so that they can be accommodated is half the battle. (Not that we don't have some REAL battles around here!)My request is in regard to my new

position with examiner.com as the Broward County Special Needs Parents Examiner.I'm writing my first article about education, and specifically about clusters, inclusion and homeschooling as our choices. I would like for everyone who has experience with these three choices to write me here in the group (or privately if there is something you don't wish to share publicly). However, ultimately I would like to include some actual quotes, with permission.. . so please let me know if you do NOT wish to be quoted and I won't bother to ask - I'll just include your information in the overall article (possibly paraphrased or blended with things other people said) rather than as a specific quote.Also, if there are some topics you'd like to see me cover in future articles, please feel free to bombard me liberally with them. I need all the ideas I can get. Especially those

about which one might have trouble finding the information sought. <~~ challenge me!: )I love the caring and considerate manner in which the members of this list relate to each other, and enjoy reading your posts and learning more as I do so. Thank you, , for creating this valuable resource... and thanks in advance to any who respond to my request(s).Sincerely,~Lydia-- Lydia www.rainbow- websites. com<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 "Every politician on earth claims to support freedom. The problem is so few of them understand the simple meaning of the word."~Ron <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 WE CAN DO THIShttp://www.nopom. info<3

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3Autism/Aspergers T-Shirts & Designshttp://www.cafepress.com/autismrules<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." ~~Mahatma Gandhi