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Blog: It's time to think about summer already?
February 2012 - It's still winter, but if your child has an IEP, then you should be hearing about ESY soon. ESY stands for Extended School Year services, or in layman's terms, summer school.
Your school should schedule a formal meeting to consider if your child is eligible for ESY. The eligibility criteria are somewhat vague, and school team leaders may interpret them differently. The same child might be denied ESY one year and granted it the next, because of different interpretations by the special education team.
To make sure your child gets the services to which he is entitled, educate yourself about ESY. Start by visiting Wrightslaw's site to read about important ESY terms such as critical life skills, regression, and breakthrough opportunities. That way, you can be a well-informed advocate for your child.
Communication Tips for Special Education Teachers
Submitted by Jeff Stimpson, author of
Alex the Boy: Episodes From a Family's Life With Autism
My son Alex's former teacher Crystle Hocker, now with Somers (N.Y.) Central School District, lets teachers the world over know how to communicate with parents:
"Indicate the importance of teacher/ parent collaboration and communication for the success of the student. I’ve done this in a welcome letter to parents in the beginning of the year.
"Communication notebook – try to write in each student's notebook at least three times, even if the parents do not write back to you. They read it more often than you think and writing to parents throughout the week keeps them informed of the good (and the bad) that is happening. Being informed also makes school less intimating.
"Phone calls – A lot of parents find phone calls much more meaningful and personal (although its important to remember, that parents have jobs and often cannot be reached during school hours). I’ve also taken it a step further and have texted with a parent who is legally deaf as a means of communicating.
"Weekly Newsletter: Keep it simple! Use a template (often found in those teacher plan books) and just jot down what happened during the week: what units you are currently working on, any special events that are occurring, any students birthdays, school breaks (and when parent teacher conferences are occurring!). Again, if parents feel like they are informed they will be more likely attend events or conferences.
"Even if you don’t get responses back from parents, they’re not writing back to you or they don’t answer your phone calls, don’t stop communicating! Eventually they will communicate and when IEP meetings or Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled, they are more likely to drop by. School (and you) is not this ominous thing! They feel like they know you.
"Remember, whether you are writing home, sending a text message, doing a newsletter or phoning home, end conversations with “it was so good to talk and how much you appreciate their time." Even if you are communicating to inform them of something “bad,” end with something good! The “your son (or daughter) has been making so much progress this year and has even learned… I’m very proud of him (or her) as you should be too!” is always a crowd pleaser and again makes school communications not necessarily a scary or bad thing.
"I don’t rely on one means of communication for all of my parents in my classroom. I use a variety of sources to stay in touch. Some of parents are never capable of talking to me on the phone so it’s vital for me to write in those students’ communication notebooks as often as possible. Likewise, I have students whose parents don’t read the notebooks, so, I call home as much as I can. The key is to find out what works best for your parents and use it!"
Back in the Groove
January 2012 - Going back to school after a long winter break can be a challenge for children with autism who love routine and dislike transitioning to something new. And who can blame them?
While I'm putting away the holiday decorations, I too have trouble getting back into the regular swing of things: supervising homework, signing permission slips, scheduling IEP meetings and sending emails to teachers. All on top of work and other activities.
Did I file that paper in the IEP folder or the classwork folder? Where is that form I'm supposed to sign? Is there anything for dinner in the freezer?
Wishing a happy new year to all of you, and may you get back into the groove faster than some of us are. -- By AutismWeb.com
Card from an autism worker
December 2011 - One of the joys of our holiday season is receiving cards from our child’s former tutors, respite workers and early intervention therapists. Most were college or graduate students when they came into our lives, willing to work for little pay in exchange for the experience and a good reference.
They gave us more than we could give them: cheerful and patient, they endured more than a few tantrums while teaching important skills. Though they’ve moved on with their own lives, many still remember us at holidays, sending news of their post-graduation careers, marriages or new babies. Many have jobs that bring them into daily contact with people with developmental disabilities and autism – a choice for which we are grateful. Thank you for remembering us, and have a happy new year. -- By AutismWeb.com
Tips for preemie/special needs fathers
By Jeff Stimpson, Guest Blogger
Your feelings of helplessness, frustration and anger may be greater or more obvious than your partner's. Talk to someone about how you're feeling, or find some other way to express it.
Seek out other fathers, especially smart ones whose opinions you respect.
Your partner may blame herself. Support her and gently try to convince her that a preemie is no one's fault. Keep in mind that men and women handle the pinball game differently, just as different people do. These different coping mechanisms can pull a marriage apart. Recognize them and try to grow closer from them.
Respect how your partner chooses to go through this. She may be quiet, loud, emotional, or distant.
This is not necessarily a problem with a solution, like in math or engineering. Do what your instincts tell you is right, but realize that there may be no one correct answer.
Your place in the care of your preemie may at times involve as much a financial and insurance obligation as anything else. Give yourself full credit for this.
People may seem to pay more attention to the mother. Realize that this doesn't mean they're ignoring you.
Ask questions, no matter how stupid, until you get the answers you want, and then ask some more.
Go easy on yourself. No one expects you to be a superhero.
Jeff Stimpson is the author of
Alex: The Fathering of a Preemie and
Alex the Boy: Episodes From a Family's Life With Autism
Holiday Cooking
November 2011 - Wondering how to make a Thanksgiving dinner that won't spoil your child's special diet or cause an allergic reaction? If your child follows a gluten-free, casein-free diet, or has food allergies or sensitivities, help is available. There are some good GFCF and allergy-specific cookbooks that help you make pumpkin pie, stuffing and other trimmings.
You can still enjoy old family recipes if you fiind a way to replace forbidden ingredients with acceptable ones: maybe rice "milk" for cow's milk, or GF flour for wheat flour.
If you have a special GFCF or Specific Carbohydrate Diet Thanksgiving recipe, please share it in the Recipe section of our Message Board. -- By AutismWeb.com
Getting ready for Halloween
October 2011 - Halloween can present challenges for a child with autism or sensory processing disorder. The constant doorbell-ringing, packs of loud children, the change in routine and scary costumes can trigger a meltdown in any child, let alone one with special needs. Here are a few tips to make Halloween fun:
1. Practice dressing up in costume and trick-or-treating around your house. Teach your child what to expect and how to act. Use social stories to reinforce the lessons.
2. If your child is new to this, only go to a few houses. Tell the residents what to expect and how to approach your child ahead of your visit. Arrive early, before the big rush.
3. If your child is on a special diet, or if you simply want to avoid candy, swap his loot for acceptable treats or small toys at the end of the night. -- By AutismWeb.com
A New Year: Now What?
September 2011 - A new school has started. You've met your child's teacher at back-to-school night and you've made sure he has the required school supplies. Is there anything else to do?
A good idea is to check in with your child's case manager, usually his special education teacher or speech therapist, to see if your school routinely schedules IEP or IFSP reviews after 30 or 60 days of school. If not, ask for one, especially if you'd like to find out how well your child is adapting and whether his special education plan is adequate for the new school year. IEPs developed last winter or spring may not address your child's needs in a new grade or class setting. -- By AutismWeb.com
Back to School with Autism
August 2011 - The first day of school is around the corner, which is both exciting and challenging for families affected by autism and Asperger's. Fortunately, some tips can help make your child's transition to a new teacher, classroom or school a relatively smooth one.
Contact the school now and ask if your child can visit his classroom and teacher before the first day of school. Travel the route the bus will take with him. Bring a one-page information sheet about your child to give his teachers: include his likes and dislikes, strengths and challenges. Be positive in your description! Let the teacher know you hope to be a partner in making the year a success. If your school has never had a child with autism before, offer to meet with all his teachers (P.E., music, etc.) to give them a brief overview of autism and your child. Most of all, think positive! -- By AutismWeb.com