Autism is a serious issue that affects 1 in every 150 children born. That is an overwhelming number. One that deserves more attention from the government, educational community, and the medical research community.
From a societal perspective one of the things that makes autism so difficult to deal with is that the children look so normal and it is hard for people not familiar with autism to understand what is going on internally with kids suffering with it. Add family stresses to the equation and we have a powder keg. Like alzheimer’s, autism greatly affects almost every aspect of a families existence.
I have been educating myself on autism in order to make the best decisions for our children, families, and teachers and ran across this story on channel 10. View channel 10 video here.
An award winning play called “Autistic License” is written by Stacy Dinner-Levin runs Thursday, January 10 and through Sunday the 13th at the TECO Theatre at the Patel Conservatory in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Tickets $10 for Thursday and Sunday; $15 Friday and Saturday with all of the profits going to Autism Speaks and will stay in the Tampa Bay area. You can reserve tickets at www.autisticlicense@gmail.com cash or check only and tickets will be available at the door.
I am going to try my best to make it this weekend. I hope if you are an educator you can make it.
To view a great movie called "Autism Every Day" click here and scroll to the bottom of the page. This film is 13 minutes long and well worth the time as it will help you understand what the families with autistic children go through.
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Friday, January 11, 2008
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This may be of interest:
Autism group asks high court to grant certiorari in FL. Stay-put case.
Autism Speaks says children should not lose IDEA Part C early intervention services when they turn age 3 just because their parents and school officials cannot agree on what kind of Part B services they need. The group thus has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a Florida couple's petition for certiorari in D.P. ex rel. E.P., D.P. and K.P v. School Bd. of Broward County, 47 IDELR 181 , 483 F.3d 725 (11th Cir. 04/03/07), petition for cert. filed (U.S. 11/08/07) (No. 07-613). "The window of opportunity [for intervention] ... is widest when the child is young, and the damage to the child's potential for development if this opportunity is allowed to lapse can never be undone," it said in an amicus brief.
Find out how the courts and hearing officers are ruling on cases involving students with autism. "Autism Case Law" puts key decisions on autism at your fingertips -- with in-depth summaries of more than 140 recent judicial and administrative decisions and OCR Letters of Finding. Organized by topic for quick reference, each summary encapsulates the facts, the ruling and the significance of the decision. Make sure you're on top of must-know rulings involving FAPE, IEPs, related services, procedural safeguards, and more hot-button issues affecting you and your district.
I continue to applaud your efforts to bring attention to these types of issues.
The early stages of our children's development are much more critical than the later stages.
I know, I know "For all children".
The issue is that "normal kids" have many other avenues to sustain them.
All too often with disabilities, professional resources are withheld until the later stages, at which point it costs more to maintain or prevent further regression because the early building blocks were not established.
For instance, Aspergers is a common mis-diagnosed and misunderstood form of Autism. These students, given the proper specialized interventions early on, would realize great potential in the areas of their strengths. However, when school system's rigid need for conforming behavior is paramount, these students are provided the exact opposite course of treatment which exacerbates their disability. As their behavior gets worse, the school system's ill founded perception erroneously vindicates their belief.
Just ask around to find the parents of autistic kids who have been told that their child had to behave or else. Why does it take waiting for the student to be placed in the autistic classroom before the autistic behaviors are addressed?
The concept of inclusion receives stronger language every time IDEA is reauthorized. This means that the regular ed setting is the first place that supports and related services should be provided. Read the law. Yet, why is it acceptable practice in regular ed settings to punish behaviors that are "accepted and expected" in special ed settings?
The point is professional specialized services should be provided in all settings since the District applauds itself for providing quality education for “all students”.
But only if you are in the right room? Or is it only until the District is getting paid to address the behavior will the "professionals" act?
Are regular ed educators exempt from special ed responsibilities? Wasn't that how it was 33 years ago prior to Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975?
April:
As a voter, I'd like to know why I can access your blog at work while one critical of SDHC is now blocked.
From your SDHC computer, if you try and access it is no longer available.
Can you let voters know why this is happening?
Anonymous 10:54,
I was told that websites with an educational value could be challenged an unblocked if they are deemed to have an educational benefit to students. My blog had been blocked on SDHC computers and is now available after I heard concerns employees could not access it. I had it unblocked because as an elected official I want all my constituents to have unfettered access to me. I have made a commitment to post every comment whether it is critical of me, the district, or anyone as long as it is not mean spirited and is meant to be productive. I feel I have done that.
If you feel there is a site that you feel would have an educational benefit to students then there is a process to challenge the block.
April
This is what happens when we start engaging in censorship: someone or some few decide for the rest what is "beneficial" and what does not have value. Fortunately, for those who think critically, which happens to be a major goal of education, one sees hypocrisy more easily. For example, this blog aims to publish all comments that are not in a mean spirit; however, the district blocks comments from view on this blog. Therefore, the district does not allow unfettered access to this blog even though it leads its author to believe so.
A holier than thou attitude is a slippery slope, which belongs on private property not property subsidized by taxpayers.
Goader,
I was made aware a while back that comments on Soundoff were not visible and spoke to staff. I was under the impression that the problem had been resolved. Since you have again made me aware that the comments section is not visible I will again talk to staff and have comments unblocked. Thank you for the information.
As to the holier than thou comment…you are entitled to your opinion. I stand by my comments that this blog is intended to help you, the students, and the taxpayers. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this forum.
I allow anonymous comments and research issues whether someone attaches a name or not. The school district has not historically given any credence to anonymous information. Whether it is real or perceived I understand people are afraid to come forward for fear of retaliation and thus I created an outlet for views and ideas and allow people not to have to put their name on comments.
I read your blog and others regularly and gain valuable knowledge and the district is not stopping you from continuing your blog on your time.
April
I am going to ask a question about blogs on the front page of Soundoff.
I am seriously researching and educating myself on ESE issues and would appreciate if this posting about autism stayed on topic.
Thank you, April
I am a parent of an autistic child. I'm in search of a state that has programs for autistic children and is open to incusion in the school system, like wisconsin. I see in Hillsborough, the goal is to package up all the autistics and isolate them in their own container (the FACE school). The experts recommend 35 hour of intense ABA therapy per week but the is not going to happen here. Several States have passed law mandating that insurance companies pay for therapy for Autism. Maybe one day Florida will catch up and do the same. The other problem with Hillsborough county is that the nuber of therapists are few! Don't know if USF offers OT, Speech, ABA courses but if they do the student are sure not staying in this area!
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