Completely out of the blue our special guy has been expelled from his private preschool/daycare centre for being 'violent and aggressive with peers and staff'. We are shocked, bewildered, devastated, angry...
As far as we know he has become slightly rougher over the past few weeks - pushing and shoving, mostly. As mentioned in a previous post, as far as we're concerned this is his autistic response to their staff changes. He certainly isn't anywhere near as bad as he was when he first went there.
In fact, it was all the more shocking because I have been celebrating just how well he's been doing at home. His behaviour at the stables on the weekend and at my best friend's house with her two boys was just superb - yes, squeeling, hand flappping and toe running, but no violence beyond the usual push and shove of 5 year old friends and siblings.
Anyway, here we sit, with no family near by to help out to give us any respite and no daycare (we live in an area where there's more demand than supply for daycare places). He's not 'bad enough' to qualify for special education placement. He's not 'normal enough' to cope in mainstream.
Please Help
If you'd like to help, visit my business team's blog post
We are not asking for charity. We'd like you to help by taking the opportunity my business team offers to help yourself.
Not only do I want to hire a teacher to 'home educate' this bright special boy, but I want to seek peers - a group of up to half a dozen - who are also falling through the crack - shunned from mainstream, but not severe enough to qualify for special school.
Having fixed the immediate educational and social needs of my son, I then want to continue to grow and build the first fully self-funding specialist school for autistic and ADHD right here on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I don't know what form this will take yet - traditional school with grounds and building, or non-traditional small groups being 'home schooled' with a private fully qualified teacher, or some other solution I haven't even thought of yet.
There are schools for Autistics in the area, but they are private, fee paying schools. One is to be built soon - fees AFTER government assistance are expected to be in the order of AUD$12,000 per year per child.
I want a totally different system where the fees are $0!
So once again,
Please Help
visit my business team's blog post
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
IQ Testing for Autistic People
This article is an absolutely fascinating read:
The Puzzle of Hidden Ability
We have been debating the issue of appropriate schooling for all our kids, but especially our special guy, who will start school next year. We are aware he has strengths and weaknesses and I tabled the idea that we should pick a school strong in his weak areas to 'balance him out', figuring if we can give him a bit of extra support and work, his weak areas will improve.
The above article gives a different opinion (it's main thrust is that 'standard tests' are not always appropriate and don't always give meaningful answers). On the subject of strengths, and whether to focus on the weak areas in an autistic person's abilities, the article says:
Frankly, it may already be too late to seek enrollment at a private school for next year. I am still inclined to chuck in the local State School and see how he fares. Likely, he'll suprise us all yet again.
Hmmm.... more contemplation required.
The Puzzle of Hidden Ability
We have been debating the issue of appropriate schooling for all our kids, but especially our special guy, who will start school next year. We are aware he has strengths and weaknesses and I tabled the idea that we should pick a school strong in his weak areas to 'balance him out', figuring if we can give him a bit of extra support and work, his weak areas will improve.
The above article gives a different opinion (it's main thrust is that 'standard tests' are not always appropriate and don't always give meaningful answers). On the subject of strengths, and whether to focus on the weak areas in an autistic person's abilities, the article says:
Dawson, who is autistic, thinks that's a prescription for intellectual failure; autistics should be encouraged to build on their strengths, as everyone else is.I have to say, put like that, I agree. My middle boy is gifted with language and imagination, so to choose an appropriate school for him I am inclined to select one strong in English and Arts, to match him. Yet, for my Autistic boy, my thinking was 'he's weak in social skills, so perhaps we should find a school strong in community and social aspects, such as a Steiner school'.
Frankly, it may already be too late to seek enrollment at a private school for next year. I am still inclined to chuck in the local State School and see how he fares. Likely, he'll suprise us all yet again.
Hmmm.... more contemplation required.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Those autistic moments...
My special chap's going through another of his more autistic phases - just like my mood varies from day to day, his demonstration of autistic behaviours is greater on some days than others.
Preschool noticed a couple of weeks ago he was becoming overly rough and aggressive again. We noticed last Saturday as the meds wore off at the park - the hands came up, tucked tight against the shoulders... then they began to flap... then he got up on his toes, and finally the whole performance began - running on toes in tight circles, squeeling and flapping his hands. He was totally out of control.
The degree of severity and the frequency of such behaviour has been much higher than average since Saturday. The mornings are worst - neither myself nor my hubby are morning people, and the squeeling is worst then. There's been a couple of mornings we've sent him out in to the garden and closed the door while we BREATH (and drink tea/coffee). Watching him and his youngest brother (almost 2) standing nose to nose having a squeeling contest would be amusing if it wasn't 6am in a small suburban house.
I was at a loss for the trigger. I decided it must just be another little phase - he's a bit like shares on the stock market - he goes up, he comes down, but the over all trend is currently up.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks - how could I be so dumb?! Reading the newletter from his preschool informing me of all the staff changes that have been going on for the past 2 weeks.
Well, That'll do it!!
So, when I went to pick him up yesterday, I pointed it out to the staff there - reminded them yet again HE'S AUTISTIC - any change will have unpredictable behavioural consequences, ESPECIALLY because no one has thought to sit down and help him adjust his mental script by talking to him about all the changes!
Fingers crossed for today.....
Preschool noticed a couple of weeks ago he was becoming overly rough and aggressive again. We noticed last Saturday as the meds wore off at the park - the hands came up, tucked tight against the shoulders... then they began to flap... then he got up on his toes, and finally the whole performance began - running on toes in tight circles, squeeling and flapping his hands. He was totally out of control.
The degree of severity and the frequency of such behaviour has been much higher than average since Saturday. The mornings are worst - neither myself nor my hubby are morning people, and the squeeling is worst then. There's been a couple of mornings we've sent him out in to the garden and closed the door while we BREATH (and drink tea/coffee). Watching him and his youngest brother (almost 2) standing nose to nose having a squeeling contest would be amusing if it wasn't 6am in a small suburban house.
I was at a loss for the trigger. I decided it must just be another little phase - he's a bit like shares on the stock market - he goes up, he comes down, but the over all trend is currently up.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks - how could I be so dumb?! Reading the newletter from his preschool informing me of all the staff changes that have been going on for the past 2 weeks.
Well, That'll do it!!
So, when I went to pick him up yesterday, I pointed it out to the staff there - reminded them yet again HE'S AUTISTIC - any change will have unpredictable behavioural consequences, ESPECIALLY because no one has thought to sit down and help him adjust his mental script by talking to him about all the changes!
Fingers crossed for today.....
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
FABIC - Developing a Conducive Environment for an ASD Person
This training course is coming up in September
Target group:
Parents, teachers and carers of people who have Autism Spectrum Disorder
Objectives:
A person with ASD can find their daily environment challenging. When the environment is challenging for any person their level of anxiety is likely to increase, resulting in some form of behavioural deterioration. This programme is designed to assist those who work with an ASD person to become aware of and modify common environmental challenges. As a result the ASD person will be less anxious and therefore less behavioural deteriorations will occur.
Throughout this programme participants will learn:
¨ To identify common environmental challenges an ASD person faces on a daily bases
¨ That behavioural deterioration is often the person’s only means of managing these challenging situations.
¨ How to develop a favourable environment in which a person with ASD will be less anxious and therefore can function more effectively
Topics Covered:
¨ Anxiety, ASD & behavioural deterioration
¨ Sequence of behaviour
¨ Functions of behaviour
¨ Identifying common challenging situations to which an ASD person is likely to be exposed
¨ Identifying when intervention is required
Programme Details:
This programme is run over four 1½ -hour sessions. There is a limit to 8 people per group. The next programme will be held:
| Session | Day | Date | Time |
| 1 | Monday | 10th September 2007 | 6.30pm to 8.00pm |
| 2 | Monday | 17th September 2007 | 6.30pm to 8.00pm |
| 3 | Monday | 24th September 2007 | 6.30pm to 8.00pm |
| 4 | Monday | 01st October 2007 | 6.30pm to 8.00pm |
Cost:
$264.00 (including GST) for all four sessions
Contact details
Tan Curtis
Clinical Behaviour Manager & Counsellor
Assoc Dip Ed (Child Care), BHlthSci.(BehMgt), MBehMgt, MCoun
Worongary Shopping Village
Worongary QLD 4213
55 905 099 or 0412 615 798
Monday, August 13, 2007
Their cute little ways
This post http://momnos.blogspot.com/2007/08/how-do-you-say-adorable.html
got me thinking.
My ASD fella doesn't have many cute ways of saying things - he has a huge vocabulary, mostly correctly pronounced. Fluency is his problem - so a whole sentence can take several run-ups with a few stops and starts and often an impatient mother saying "So, are you going to finish that sentence?". Often, he fails to finish his sentences - the thought is long gone and he's on to the next thing.
It's No.2Son that has all the cute ways of saying things. He is finally growing out of having 'axe-dig-a-nents' (accidents) and calls his older brother by his proper name instead of 'damn-em' and he now eats spaghetti instead of 'pass-ghetti'.
No.3Son is starting with few, but nothing too distinctive yet. He way of saying 'yi' for yes is very cute.
got me thinking.
My ASD fella doesn't have many cute ways of saying things - he has a huge vocabulary, mostly correctly pronounced. Fluency is his problem - so a whole sentence can take several run-ups with a few stops and starts and often an impatient mother saying "So, are you going to finish that sentence?". Often, he fails to finish his sentences - the thought is long gone and he's on to the next thing.
It's No.2Son that has all the cute ways of saying things. He is finally growing out of having 'axe-dig-a-nents' (accidents) and calls his older brother by his proper name instead of 'damn-em' and he now eats spaghetti instead of 'pass-ghetti'.
No.3Son is starting with few, but nothing too distinctive yet. He way of saying 'yi' for yes is very cute.
inspirational quote
"Parents are the hardest-working members of the population. But they do it for the highest wages. Kisses."
- Pete Seeger
Hmm, not sure I feel the same way right now, but I most of the time I'd agree, the 'pay' is worth it.
Upcoming workshop with Prof Tony Attwood
This has been sent out to Autism GC from Asperger Services Australia who are a parent network in
2 Day Workshop for
SPOUSES AND PARTNERS
PSYCHOLOGIST, COUNSELLORS
Co-presenters:
Prof Tony Attwood
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Specialising in Asperger’s Syndrome
and
Dr Isabelle Henault
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
ASD Specializing in Relationships and Sexual Relationships
Saturday 1st September & Sunday 2nd September 2007
9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Hi All
Just a quick reminder that we still have a few seats left for the Two
Day Spouses and Partners workshop on the weekend 1 & 2 September.
We have just learned that Commonwealth Carer Respite and Carelink Centre
will fund or partly fund the seminar fees if required. Please contact
Commonwealth Carer Respite and Carelink Centre on 1800 059 059 for more
information.
Kind regards
A4 Newsletter - Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia
Get your hands on the latest nation-wide news from A4
http://www.a4.org.au/documents/updates/A4-2007-Update04.pdf
http://www.a4.org.au/documents/updates/A4-2007-Update04.pdf
Friday, August 10, 2007
Vaccancies on Mothers Weekend Away
Hi Ladies Tamborine Mountain
Due to illness, there are some places still available on this weekend’s Mothers’ Weekend Away!
If you just happen to be interested in coming along and can organise it at short notice, please ring myself 0417 700 190 or Debra 5508 2364 asap.
We are due to arrive up at Tamborine Lodge from 5pm tomorrow afternoon. Dinner is at 6pm.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
See Snowcake the movie - support Austism Gold Coast Inc
Gold Coast Arts Centre
present a fundraising screening of
http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk/ http://www.snowcakemovie.co.uk/trailer.php
rated M
starring Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Carrie-anne Moss
Monday 13th August 2007
6:40pm
Gold Coast Arts Centre, Bundall
Tickets at the Door: $12.00
SNOW CAKE is a story of love and friendship and the unorthodox relationship between a man escaping his past, an autistic mother coping with the loss of her daughter and a passionate woman who keeps love at arm's length.
All funds raised from this event will go towards Autism Gold Coast Inc projects. Autism Gold Coast Inc is a volunteer not-for-profit organisation, a registered charity with deductible gift recipient status. Autism Gold Coast Inc supports parents, families and carers of people diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder.
We look forward to your support and patronage at this fundraising event.
Together we CAN make a difference in the lives of people
with an Autism Spectrum Disorder!
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Support Services Mini Expo - August 2007
Date Claimer
Support Services Mini Expo 2007
for
Students with Disabilities
in
Transition from School to
Monday 13 August
5.00-7.30pm
James Centre
(
Exhibition Categories
Accommodation
Advocacy
Aids and Equipment
Citizenship
Educational Support
Financial
Health and Well-being
Information Services
Respite Services
Specific Disability Support Services
Support Groups
Transport
Autism Gold Coast Inc will be in attendance and have a table display.
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