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Thursday, May 30, 2013

How To Become Your Autism Child’s Advocate While Maintaining Your Household, part 2: Scheduling


I am thrilled to share How To Become Your Autism Child's Advocate While Maintaining Your Household, part2: Scheduling, my guest article on Character Booster, with you! I hope that you enjoy it, share it with your friends and find the time to leave me a comment after my guest article on Character Booster. 
Thank YOU for your support!!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

How To Become Your Autism Child's Advocate While Maintaining Your Household


Character Booster asked me to write another article for them a few months back. We decided to split it up into two posts so that everyone could get the most out of each segment. I am delighted to share the first part with you today! Please take a few minutes to visit Character Booster and read my guest article, How To Become Your Autism Child's Advocate While Maintaining Your Household. Feel free to leave me a comment under my article on Character Booster so I know how the information might help your family. Thank you for your support!

Monday, May 27, 2013

"Our Family Is Very Fortunate That What Happened To Our Son, Who Has #Autism, Wasn't As Bad As It Could Have Been"

     No matter how a parent tries to protect their child, and prevent anything happening to him or her, it is ultimately impossible. Nathan was visiting another fourth grade class recently, and that teacher, unfortunately, abused her authority with him. I was substitute teaching that day so, what happened was still fresh in his mind when he came to me at the end of the day. Besides Nathan not having his backpack with him, he had this unsettling look on his face. I calmly asked him where his backpack and jacket were...he sighed telling me "upstairs in my classroom, I just forgot to stop and get them". Because it was getting closer to time for the students to be dismissed for the day, I suggested that maybe Nathan should go get his things and come straight back. I'm not entirely sure if he walked because he made it back in record time. At first I thought that he was just out of breath from getting his backpack but, then I quickly remembered how he was acting a few minutes earlier. When I asked him if everything was okay, he shakily said "I don't understand what I did to be treated like an animal." I was still responsible for the class that I was assigned to that day so, it was slightly difficult for me to give him my full and undivided attention but, I asked him once more if there was anything that he wanted to tell me. I was not prepared for what came out of his mouth. What I heard was unreal. I was literally in shock when he told me the first time. Even though I am an extremely visual person, I could not get the disturbing picture, that my almost ten year old son had verbally painted for me, out of my head. 

     I immediately but, calmly, buzzed the school office to find out if an administrator was available. When I informed the office staff that something had happened to my fourth grader, I was told that someone would be available to speak with me shortly. When Nathan told the school administrator what had happened to him, a full investigation was promptly initiated by the school district. Statements were taken from each student from my son's class along with those from students from that particular teacher's classroom. Once supporting statements as to the specific details of what happened to Nathan were collected, the school district was able to piece together what actually had transpired in that teacher's classroom. This teacher had been responsible for Nathan, several students from his class and others from that classroom during an outdoor activity, from which they had lost certain privileges. It was during this time that Nathan was over-stimulated, acting out and entertaining the students even though the teacher had asked him several times to stop. Evidently, that was the limit to what that teacher could take because the last part of Nathan's day spun out of control, leaving him questioning his respect for teachers in general. He was not sent to the hallway to calm down, to the office to think about his actions, to the classroom where I was substitute teaching, or even to the resource room that was only twenty feet down the hallway. That teacher crossed a line when Nathan was told to get under the teacher's desk. That teacher didn't stop there...this person proceeded to trap my confused son, like an animal, by scooting the teacher's chair up to the desk where he couldn't get out!    

     Please believe me when I say that this individual was dealt swift justice by the school district. Our family was very impressed at how fast they had taken action, interviewing the students who had witnessed the incident and called us concerning the situation. It was handled very efficiently and, thankfully, Nathan did not have to see that teacher ever again. I understood that the school officials could not discuss any specific details involving the investigation. What was important was that the situation was resolved, restoring our beloved elementary school back to normal, and our family could concentrate on helping Nathan to remember that he needs to respect teachers. He is having a difficult time trusting teachers because of what happened to him but, we plan to make sure that he understands what occurred was an isolated incident. We are very happy that this has not affected the school that we love.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

An Update On The Tornado That Hit Moore, Oklahoma

This is an update to my post last night titled Please Pray For The Families That Have Lost Loved Ones To A Tornado That Leveled An Elementary School Earlier in OklahomaThe medical examiner’s office has confirmed 24 people were killed in the Moore tornado Monday as opposed to the 51 that were originally reported late last night. The reported fatalities were accidentally counted twice partially due to the communication trouble through cell phone service that was affected by the weather. There is a significant chance that those numbers can still change as the recovery efforts continue around the area that was hit. 
     Overnight, there were 101 individuals rescued as the rescue personnel uncovered storm shelters buried by the rubble of yesterday's tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. The families of these individuals are probably very thankful to have their loved ones accounted for, especially after not knowing their whereabouts. Approximately 233 injured have been treated by area hospitals since yesterday's tornado. Please continue to keep the families of those lost in the Plaza Towers Elementary School, and in the surrounding Moore community, in your thoughts and prayers. 
     If you have a family member who lives in the Moore or even Oklahoma City area that was affected by the tornado, you are encouraged to visit www.safeandwell.org to check on them. You can help the Red Cross, assist Oklahoma families affected by the tornados over the last 2 days, by making a donation at www.redcross.org or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Thank you for taking the time to read and share this post with others through social media. God bless you!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Please Pray For The Families That Have Lost Loved Ones To A Tornado That Leveled An Elementary School Earlier In Oklahoma

     The last thirty six hours have extremely been difficult for those families that have had property damaged from the tornadoes that have come through Oklahoma. One of two Moore elementary schools which were leveled from the tornado that ripped through a town, just to the south of Oklahoma City, this afternoon causing a still undetermined number of fatalities. The State Medical Examiner has confirmed at least 51 fatalities, so far. Two metro hospitals say that they have treated more than 120 patients, including about 50 children. 
     The National Weather Service preliminary evaluation ranks the tornado that devastated Oklahoma today at an E4. School in Moore, Oklahoma has been cancelled for Tuesday, May 21, 2013. To check on loved ones please visit www.safeandwell.org and anyone whom wants to help can text "FOOD" to 32333 to donate $10 to storm relief efforts in Oklahoma. Please also be praying for the families that are still waiting for their children to be found either through rescue or recovery efforts over the next few days.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Tips for Preparing Your Child for the End of the School Year


It is hard to believe that summer has arrived! Having a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders, also known as ASD, is a daily reminder that he depends on a routine. I am constantly aware of when our schedule might be changing. I do my best to prepare my family in advance for any changes that will affect them, and especially my child with Autism. It's not always easy but, it is extremely important to maintain an environment in which my child can function to the best of his ability. To read more, please read my article on Special Happens titled Tips for Preparing Your Child for the End of the School Year
     Thank you for taking the time to read and support my efforts as Nathan's Voice!