April 25, 2012

I found the comments from my previous post to be helpful in finding more places that families of children with disabilities can go to for help. I believe that literature is always a great way to research and find out more information on any topic. Although literature may not always give you the answer, you can always refer to other books; therefore, coming up with your own comments and conclusion on the topic. I actually just finished reading the book Jamie: A Literacy Story for a class assignment. I found the book to be very powerful, and would recommend it not only to families of children with disabilities but, to future teachers who may come into a situation that they may not be familiar with. I also looked up the Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. I had absolutely no idea that such a prestigious, elite place was located here in our city of Cincinnati. They provide different services for families and provide opportunities for parents and children to learn how to deal with and adjust to their child’s disability. The center provides an opportunity for families to get some answers and a better understanding of what Autism Spectrum Disorder is. My goal over the weekend is to further research more conventions or groups that families can attend in order to get a better understanding of their child’s disability. I believe that one of the first steps to helping your child is to understand your child. I want to be able to help any family I come in contact with, in the future, find the help they need.  

Kelly O'Leary Center: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/k/autism/about/ 

Jamie: A Literacy Story:  http://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Diane-Parker/dp/157110058X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335377979&sr=8-1  

April 24, 2012

I decided to look up the book, A Slant Sun by Beth Kephart, to learn a little more about the book and the information it has to offer. The book sounded very interesting and a great book for parents to refer to when they find out they have  a child with special needs. Although the child is not diagnosed with Autism, he does shoe Autistic characteristics along with many other characteristics. At one point during the synopsis, Beth Kephart states "What, in the end, are you fighting for: Normal?" Kephart asks. "Is normal possible? Can it be defined? . . . And is normal superior to what the child inherently is, to what he aspires to, fights to become, every second of his day?" I really found this quote to be very moving. It's true, everyday we fight for our children to stand out from the norm, we want them to be successful in their own ways yet, when a parents child is diagnosed with a disability they try so hard for that child to be normal. We need to embrace our children, know matter what disability or personality they may have. I've worked a lot with children diagnosed with Autism and their family's, it is hard. I know the family's work hard for that child to get the disability services they deserve, and the right amount of attention they deserve. But, I love seeing the family's allow that child to be who they are. This book seems to be about the parents of a two year old boy, who in the end realize, they don't want Jeremy to be normal, they want Jeremy to be Jeremy. That's why I ask myself the questions, are there books for parents to refer to or conferences they can attend, so that they too can learn how to help their child but, then allow that child to be who they are, not what society expects as "normal."

http://www.amazon.com/A-Slant-Sun-Beth-Kephart/dp/0393340988/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335271179&sr=1-1

April 18, 2012

As I was further researching my topic, I came across a website that discussed my questions in more detail. The website is based off of a book called, Raising Autistic Children by Colleen Moore. Colleen Moore wrote this book based off of her personal experience, her son is profoundly autistic. In the website and in her book, Colleen discuss the different emotions families go through, getting your child to the right school, the correct treatments for children with autism, and different ways to find community resources, self help teams, and support groups.

http://www.autisminkids.org/autism-help/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-diagnosed-with-autism/

While reading further into the website, I read a few interesting facts. Most parents  have a hard time accepting their child has a disability, this is what causes most families to split and divorce. I understand that it happens but, it's hard to hear that a family couldn't stay together all because of a child with special needs. That child needs both parents more than anything, especially the day they find out something isn't typical yet, families tend to separate at the sight of this concern. Parents need to fight for their child's education. As a parent, you should become educated, therefore, ensuring your child gets the attention he/she deserves. Another topic I found interesting was when Colleen Moore stated that you have to help your child, as they grow they need to grow age appropriately. As your child grows, do you still want to be changing their clothes or zipping up their jackets? The answer would be no. Another question I thought about was, are there any local conferences or books similar to Colleen Moore's, that teaches parents how to work with their children so that as they grow, they grow they are age appropriate.

April 9, 2012

Throughout this quarter, I would like to get a better understanding on what parent does when they find out their child has autism? I have worked with children on the autistic spectrum but, an individualized education plan has already been placed into affect. When a parent finds out their child is autistic, are there classes they are suggested to take? Or, do they have to do all of the research on their own in order to make sure their child is treated fairly?

After some research I found this website that helps ease the parents as they are finding out their child has a disability. They explain that they need to take it one day at a time and to consult the pediatrician or psychologist for any concerning questions. They also make a point to say, "Get educated. When looking at this new problem, what’s scary about it is the unknown. Once you understand the problem better and you have a plan on how to help your child, the problem won’t seem so scary; it will no longer be unknown.”

http://www.naddc.org/finding-out-your-child-is-disabled.htm

While further reading through the website I found an interesting story about a seven year old boy named Kaleb. His behavior was hard to deal with but, his mom adopted a service dog (a Labrador retriever). Instantly, Kaleb's behavior changed. The dog helped so much that Kaleb's mom took the school to court, fighting for Kaleb to be allowed his service dog at school. She won, and now Kaleb takes the dog to school with him every day. I find it interesting to read about what techniques work for certain children. I wouldn't have thought a service dog would have been able to provide the help Kaleb needed but this story has proved me wrong.