Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Oftentimes when parents learn their child has a disability, they go through emotional transitions similar to the stages of loss and grief described by Kubler-Ross.
1. Denial & Isolation-shutting out the reality or depth of the situation; this buffers the immediate shock. You don't want to believe the diagnosis is true.
2. Anger-once the denial wears off, the reality sets in and emotions run high. "Why did this happen to my child?" or "How can this be true?"
3. Bargaining-during this stage it is common to feel a sense of "I would do anything to make this all go away". If only things could go back to the way they were before the diagnosis.
4. Depression-life can suddenly seem overwhelming as if it's "me against the world". Feelings of loneliness or helplessness may develop.
5. Acceptance-while there may still be some apprehension about what the future holds, there becomes more of a need to be proactive rather than reactive; to prepare for what's next.
Whether we experience all or some of these stages, it is important for us to realize that it is okay to allow ourselves time to work through our emotions as we come to terms with our new reality. Having a strong support system is very important. Being able to talk openly about what we are feeling helps us to reach the stage of acceptance quicker and become more resilient in helping our children.
1. Denial & Isolation-shutting out the reality or depth of the situation; this buffers the immediate shock. You don't want to believe the diagnosis is true.
2. Anger-once the denial wears off, the reality sets in and emotions run high. "Why did this happen to my child?" or "How can this be true?"
3. Bargaining-during this stage it is common to feel a sense of "I would do anything to make this all go away". If only things could go back to the way they were before the diagnosis.
4. Depression-life can suddenly seem overwhelming as if it's "me against the world". Feelings of loneliness or helplessness may develop.
5. Acceptance-while there may still be some apprehension about what the future holds, there becomes more of a need to be proactive rather than reactive; to prepare for what's next.
Whether we experience all or some of these stages, it is important for us to realize that it is okay to allow ourselves time to work through our emotions as we come to terms with our new reality. Having a strong support system is very important. Being able to talk openly about what we are feeling helps us to reach the stage of acceptance quicker and become more resilient in helping our children.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Go to files/eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED51142.pdf
and read my article "Inclusion Doesn't Always Mean Included."files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED51142.pdf
and read my article "Inclusion Doesn't Always Mean Included."files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED51142.pdf
Monday, July 28, 2014
Visual supports can be extremely useful for children with autism by creating stability in their daily routine, reminding them of tasks that need to be completed, and giving them advance warning of any changes that may take place in the schedule. The great thing about visual supports is that they don't have to be designated as a tool just for a child with ASD. All children can benefit from them.
Information about visual supports can be found at:
-and-
Information about visual supports can be found at:
- www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/resource-library/visualtools
-and-
- card.ufl.edu/content/visual.html
Sunday, July 27, 2014
My Life My Autism: What Not To Say To A Parent With An Autistic Child...
My Life My Autism: What Not To Say To A Parent With An Autistic Child...: What Not To Say To A Parent With An Autistic Child 1. Will he/she ever be normal? Are any of us really normal? 2. I'm so sorry this ...
What Not To Say To A Parent With An Autistic Child
1. Will he/she ever be normal?
Are any of us really normal?
2. I'm so sorry this happened to you!
I'm sure this is suppose to be comforting... it's not!
3. Do the doctors know why he/she is like that?
No but when we find out, we'll be sure to let you know.
4. The other kids are afraid of him/her.
That's funny...he's afraid of them, too.
5. I don't know how I would deal with it if it was my child.
Deal with it the same way you would with anything else in life...one day at a time!
6. I can't even tell he has it by looking at him.
I'm sorry...what exactly does autism look like?
7. Autistic children should not be in the regular classroom setting.
Nowadays, it's hard to tell the difference between the children with and without disabilities in the classroom.
8. She must be really good with numbers.
Children with autism have diverse skills and interests just like any other children. Making generalizations about behaviors is stereotypical... and, in some cases, offensive.
1. Will he/she ever be normal?
Are any of us really normal?
2. I'm so sorry this happened to you!
I'm sure this is suppose to be comforting... it's not!
3. Do the doctors know why he/she is like that?
No but when we find out, we'll be sure to let you know.
4. The other kids are afraid of him/her.
That's funny...he's afraid of them, too.
5. I don't know how I would deal with it if it was my child.
Deal with it the same way you would with anything else in life...one day at a time!
6. I can't even tell he has it by looking at him.
I'm sorry...what exactly does autism look like?
7. Autistic children should not be in the regular classroom setting.
Nowadays, it's hard to tell the difference between the children with and without disabilities in the classroom.
8. She must be really good with numbers.
Children with autism have diverse skills and interests just like any other children. Making generalizations about behaviors is stereotypical... and, in some cases, offensive.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Texas Statewide Leadership for Autism Training offers free online workshops for educators but parents can benefit from these resources as well. Being knowledgeable about strategies and practices can help parents and educators work more collaboratively when it comes to meeting the needs of the child.
Go to www.txautism.net/training. html and set up an account in order to register for the courses. Find the Trainings: Online option on the page then follow the instructions.
Courses and registration are FREE. The first series "Strategies for Working with Students with Autism in the General Education Setting" is a 12-part series with each session lasting approx. 30 minutes. Upon completion of the sessions, there are short quizzes that can be assessed multiple times. A certificate of completion can be printed afterwards.
The second series "School Based Applied Behavior Analysis Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder" is a 6-part series, with each session-time varying.
Because these are online workshops, they can be accessed at your convenience once you have registered. You can view them whenever you want.www.txautism.net/training.html
Go to www.txautism.net/training. html and set up an account in order to register for the courses. Find the Trainings: Online option on the page then follow the instructions.
Courses and registration are FREE. The first series "Strategies for Working with Students with Autism in the General Education Setting" is a 12-part series with each session lasting approx. 30 minutes. Upon completion of the sessions, there are short quizzes that can be assessed multiple times. A certificate of completion can be printed afterwards.
The second series "School Based Applied Behavior Analysis Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder" is a 6-part series, with each session-time varying.
Because these are online workshops, they can be accessed at your convenience once you have registered. You can view them whenever you want.www.txautism.net/training.html
Friday, July 25, 2014
Thursday, July 24, 2014
What you is an appropriate age to talk to your child about his/her disability? I have been contemplating this for quite some time, imagining all the ways that things can get completely out of control. "What is autism?" "I'm not autistic, YOU are autistic!" "I love you mom...and since I'm autistic, does this mean I can get a special treat?"
~SMH
~SMH
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Go to the NC Council for Exceptional Children homepage at nccec.coe.ecu.edu and click on the list of resources link at the bottom of the page. Look for the tab entitled "Empowering Parents in the Education Process" bynccec.coe.ecu.edu Marquis Grant.
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