Look at this!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Has Your Family Has Adjusted to the New School Year Schedule? My Family Is Still Acclimating to the Additionally Lengthy Day!
With our school district converting to the continuous calendar school year just over a year ago, it has taken our special needs family some time to get used to having longer Fall, Christmas and Spring breaks during the school year and a shorter summer break. Our youngest son, who is in fifth grade, has autism. His slightly older brother, who is in sixth grade, was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Between the already short but, action-packed summer and me starting a new full-time job in the Special Education Department at the sixth grader's middle school, my family hasn't stopped spinning since school let out the end of May!
I have been a substitute teacher for the last three years and I have really enjoyed the flexibility of being able to choose when and what job assignment I took. I started substitute teaching at the middle school where I had several long-term substitute teaching assignments in the Special Education Department. This is where I had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of some amazing educators, office staff and administrators. Towards the end of the first year, I made myself more available to the teachers at my youngest son's elementary school in order to get to know those whom would be working with my son who has high-functioning autism.
This last May, I was encouraged by the elementary school Principal to apply for one of the five positions for Pre-K Assistant. Pre-K was being added to our elementary school and I was considering my options. I wasn't sure if I really wanted to step outside my comfort zone and pursue the chance to work as a full-time assistant at my son's elementary school. It was my neighbor who persuaded me to follow through and get my Para Professional Certification. She directed me to where I could take the practice test and gave me the number to call to schedule my appointment for the test. Ultimately, it is her to whom I am eternally grateful and thankful for her friendship and support.
The elementary school, where our 5th grade son Nathan attends, starts at 8:20am. The middle school, where our sixth grade son Vincent attends and where I work, starts at 9:10am. There is also the after school Faculty, Special Education Department and Autism Team meetings that are held weekly. I still leave the house by 8:00am but, most of the time, I don't arrive home before 5:00pm. It makes for a very long day, especially after having an active day in the autism classroom. The boys sometimes have to stay with me at the school until I am ready to leave but, I try to have snacks and a small reward for their patience with my busy schedule.
My husband tries to pick our boys up, if he is available to, in the case of my having a scheduled meeting after school. It's not always possible for him to rearrange his schedule, or drop what he is doing, to keep our boys from sitting through an occasional meeting. The boys and I are each thankful when Daddy can save them from having to sit quietly, and in a designated spot, in a crowded room with a bunch of teachers for almost an hour. My husband will become more available as the winter approaches because I married a "pool man". About a third of his customers close their swimming pools during the winter months which allows him to finish his daily route earlier in the day. I think that he is more than happy to help, with our boys after school, since I am working full-time now.
I am enjoying the new school year and looking forward to our family settling into a routine. It's almost time for students to have their school pictures taken. Their parents will be able to order picture packages, as well as yearbooks at the middle school. I ordered one when I started working as a substitute teacher three years ago. It's nice to be able to look back at those students and teachers whom you spent the year working with. If you are reading our autism blog for the first time, please check out Great Places We've Been Featured and Our Guest Bloggers. I hope your family has a wonderful school year and I hope to hear from you when you have a chance!
My husband tries to pick our boys up, if he is available to, in the case of my having a scheduled meeting after school. It's not always possible for him to rearrange his schedule, or drop what he is doing, to keep our boys from sitting through an occasional meeting. The boys and I are each thankful when Daddy can save them from having to sit quietly, and in a designated spot, in a crowded room with a bunch of teachers for almost an hour. My husband will become more available as the winter approaches because I married a "pool man". About a third of his customers close their swimming pools during the winter months which allows him to finish his daily route earlier in the day. I think that he is more than happy to help, with our boys after school, since I am working full-time now.
I am enjoying the new school year and looking forward to our family settling into a routine. It's almost time for students to have their school pictures taken. Their parents will be able to order picture packages, as well as yearbooks at the middle school. I ordered one when I started working as a substitute teacher three years ago. It's nice to be able to look back at those students and teachers whom you spent the year working with. If you are reading our autism blog for the first time, please check out Great Places We've Been Featured and Our Guest Bloggers. I hope your family has a wonderful school year and I hope to hear from you when you have a chance!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
A Parent is an Equal Partner of Their Child's IEP Team
As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I have found myself in a unique situation. I realize that I am an equal partner of my son's IEP Team, but I have the opportunity to contribute to my child's in a way that most parents do not get. My son's first Special Education case manager moved out of state because her husband received a military transfer. His replacement case manager has been carrying the caseload of two people and did not have the time to create a visual schedule for my 5th-grade son. At first, it was a little intimidating, but once I got started, it was not as difficult as I anticipated.
I started with a binder and a set of plastic divider tabs. I took pictures of my son's classrooms and began organizing those images into a visual schedule to assist my pre-teen son in maneuvering his daily school schedule. I ordered a laminator, laminator sleeves, and a slide paper cutter before picking up some VELCRO® hook and loop strips. I used my color printer to print the images from my computer onto white cardstock. I trimmed each of the images to a standard size before laminating them. After trimming off the excess lamination from each image, I attached them to the plastic dividers with VELCRO strips.
If I can do this, YOU can, too! It was a humbling experience that I would gladly repeat to help any of my children or any student that I was assigned to help!!
I started with a binder and a set of plastic divider tabs. I took pictures of my son's classrooms and began organizing those images into a visual schedule to assist my pre-teen son in maneuvering his daily school schedule. I ordered a laminator, laminator sleeves, and a slide paper cutter before picking up some VELCRO® hook and loop strips. I used my color printer to print the images from my computer onto white cardstock. I trimmed each of the images to a standard size before laminating them. After trimming off the excess lamination from each image, I attached them to the plastic dividers with VELCRO strips.
If I can do this, YOU can, too! It was a humbling experience that I would gladly repeat to help any of my children or any student that I was assigned to help!!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Applying for SSI Benefits for a Child with Autism
This Featured Guest Article was written by Ram Meyyappan, from Social Security Disability Help, an organization that works to promote disability awareness and help individuals navigate the Social Security Disability application process. Please welcome her and thank her in the comment section below! ~Lorrie
If you have a child who suffers from autism, it can take a financial toll on your family. Chances are that either you or your spouse will need to leave the workforce in order to tend to the needs of your child. The resulting lack of income can wreak havoc on your finances. Fortunately, in many cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help.
A child
who is suffering from autism may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
benefits from birth until age 18. It is important to understand, however, that
SSI is a needs-based program. In order to be approved for benefits, your family
will need to meet the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s financial criteria
in addition to proving that your child is medically qualified for disability
benefits.
If you have a child who suffers from autism, it can take a financial toll on your family. Chances are that either you or your spouse will need to leave the workforce in order to tend to the needs of your child. The resulting lack of income can wreak havoc on your finances. Fortunately, in many cases, Social Security Disability benefits can help.
Meeting the Financial Requirements of SSI
Benefits
In order
to meet the financial requirements for SSI benefits, your income and assets may
not exceed the threshold that has been set by the SSA. As of 2013, this means
your monthly income cannot exceed $710 as an individual or $1,066 as a couple.
Your assets must also not exceed $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple
in order to qualify for SSI.
You can
learn more about SSI here: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/
Meeting the Medical Requirements
When
filling out the disability paperwork, you will want to demonstrate that your
child has problems in specific areas including self-care and severe behavioral
problems as well as documentation showing his or her diagnosis of autism. You
will want to address problems with your child’s adaptive behaviors, learning,
mobility skills, and capacity of independent living. Written statements from
your child’s treating physicians can be very beneficial to your child’s Social
Security Disability claim.
How to Apply for SSI
To apply
for SSI you can go into your local Social Security office or you can file
online at the Social Security website (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm). You will want to make sure to answer all
questions as thoroughly as possible. Also make sure you include medical records
documenting the above-mentioned facts when submitting your claim.
What to Do in the Case of a Denial
Almost
2/3 of disability applications are initially denied. If you receive a denial
letter from the SSA, you have 60 days from the date of the letter to appeal the
decision. The first stage of appeals will be the Request for Reconsideration.
Do not be alarmed if this request is denied. Fewer than 20 percent of these
requests are actually approved by the SSA. The next stage of appeals is when
you will have the best chance of winning your case. This is the disability
hearing. At this stage of appeal your case is heard before an administrative
law judge.
It is in
your best interest to have legal representation at this hearing, since a
disability attorney will know the laws that pertain to your case and how to use
those laws to your benefit. There is no upfront cost to hiring a disability
attorney. These attorneys are only paid if you are successfully awarded
benefits.
Guest Article
by:
Ram
Meyyappan
Social Security Disability Help
For more information on Autism and Social Security Disability benefits, please visit: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/autism-and-social-security-disability
Social Security Disability Help
For more information on Autism and Social Security Disability benefits, please visit: http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/autism-and-social-security-disability
Sunday, July 14, 2013
It Has Seemed Like It Has Taken FOREVER But, the AWESOME #Autism "Camp C.A.N.O.E" Is Almost Here!!
You are probably wondering what I am getting all excited about? Let me tell YOU! Almost two years ago, my husband and I took our two energetic boys to check out Camp DaKaNi's Open House and learn more about Camp C.A.N.O.E., the NEW Autism Camp that was scheduled to start the Summer of 2012. What makes me proud as a parent, and to be involved as a camp counselor, is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. stands for "Children with Autism Need Outdoor Experiences"! What I love is that Camp C.A.N.O.E. offers each of these children the chance to improve fine and gross motor skills, to increase their confidence, self-reliance, to help them to work with others as a team, to solve problems, to strengthen independent thinking, communication and social skills as they make friends...every parent's dream, or at least mine!!
The staff at Camp DaKaNi for Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma have been preparing all year for the 2013 Camp C.A.N.O.E. This will be my second year to work as a camp counselor during Camp C.A.N.O.E. and along side many other awesome volunteers. We will enjoy exploring the thirty-three acres of Camp DaKaNi while learning or perfecting skills such as the zip line, archery, rock climbing, canoeing and fishing. I can't wait until Camp C.A.N.O.E. 2013!! If YOU have a child that might enjoy getting out of the house each day for a FUN-filled week, you will want to check this out for next year!
We are always looking for individuals, and companies that will allow their employees, to volunteer during Camp C.A.N.O.E. each year. If YOU are interested in volunteering, or know someone who might want to, please contact Kristin Harper either by phone (405)254-2071 or by email Kristin@campfireusa-ok.org for more information.
You can follow me @MissMaryMackOKC and Camp DaKaNi @CampFireHOK for updates. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to give me a shout!
The staff at Camp DaKaNi for Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma have been preparing all year for the 2013 Camp C.A.N.O.E. This will be my second year to work as a camp counselor during Camp C.A.N.O.E. and along side many other awesome volunteers. We will enjoy exploring the thirty-three acres of Camp DaKaNi while learning or perfecting skills such as the zip line, archery, rock climbing, canoeing and fishing. I can't wait until Camp C.A.N.O.E. 2013!! If YOU have a child that might enjoy getting out of the house each day for a FUN-filled week, you will want to check this out for next year!
We are always looking for individuals, and companies that will allow their employees, to volunteer during Camp C.A.N.O.E. each year. If YOU are interested in volunteering, or know someone who might want to, please contact Kristin Harper either by phone (405)254-2071 or by email Kristin@campfireusa-ok.org for more information.
You can follow me @MissMaryMackOKC and Camp DaKaNi @CampFireHOK for updates. I look forward to hearing from anyone that wants to give me a shout!
Friday, July 12, 2013
Sharing How Cleaning and Organization Can Be Rewarding for any Family but, Especially One on the #Autism Spectrum!
My most recent article Goodbye, Procrastination... Hello, Organization in a Special Needs Home is available for viewing of the wonderful Special Happens community! This one was especially difficult for me because it hit close to home but, it is something that I am currently working on. Please take just a few minutes of your time to laugh with me about how we can occasionally find ourselves in a situation, that we need to change in order to enjoy more time with our families!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
You're Invited To The Summer Vision Screenings Hosted By The Oklahoma Vision Development Center!
I'm posting this on the homepage because I hope that it could possibly help a family in Tulsa, OK find resources like this:
Oklahoma Vision Development Center is offering FREE Developmental Vision Screenings which will test the child's acuities, eye tracking, eye teaming, visual processing skills.
Screenings are Scheduled for:
June 24-27, 2013 8:30am-2:00pm
June 28, 2013 8:30-11:30am
June 24-27, 2013 8:30am-2:00pm
June 28, 2013 8:30-11:30am
July 22-25, 2013 8:30am-2:00pm
July 26, 2013 8:30-11:30am
July 26, 2013 8:30-11:30am
What you need to know:
You must call 918-745-9662 to schedule an appointment
Children must be between 6-18 years old
Children must have had an eye exam in the past 12 months (If they haven't had one, we can schedule an eye exam for you)
Located at 4520 S. Harvard Ave. Ste. 100
Please share this information with any parent of any child you think may be struggling from a vision related problem.
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