Teaching Special Needs Again

Today was a great day. 

So on Sunday I was talking with Nancy Beaman and her friend Laurie about Nancy's grandchild, Molly, whom has recently been diagnosed on the ASD Spectrum.  Molly is six and exhibits several characteristics that are similar to Devon's when he was that age.  We were sharing/swapping stories that brought back so many endearing memories of our adventures with Devon.

At the end of the conversation I offered to help in whatever way I can.  If they needed me to go to a meeting at the school with them, or just come over and share some things that worked for me in helping Devon develop, grow and learn ... whatever they wanted I was willing to do.

Well, before the sun set that day, Nancy had called.  We arranged for me to come over to her house on Wednesday morning to go over some tools and techniques to help, Nancy's daughter, Kristen, with her daughter, Molly.

I arrived at 10:00.  I shared ideas for hours

• Facial expressions and feelings
• We went over the importance of a schedule
• What to expect from the school
• 504 vs IEP
• social interaction:  social skills classes
• speech:  pragmatic speech
• my ladder theory
• ABA positive reinforcement charts

I ended up being there for four hours.  Time flew.  It was such a joy to share my knowledge and experience with them.  

Molly was such a sweetheart.  

This experience has made me really reconsider what I should do with my time in regards to my future career.  Maybe I should start a consulting business when we settle in our new place.

Autism Conference with Temple Grandin

Friday - Autism Conference in Cincinnati with Kim S.

A friend of a friend and I have recently connected because of our connection with children on the autism spectrum.  She is in the beginning stages; learning if her child has Asperger's syndrome or something close to it, while mine has been on it a while but still experiencing challenges.

The Future Horizon's group hosted a seminar with Temple Grandin coming.  I would have loved to meet her, but she was in and out before we had time for questions.  I would really like to know how she classifies herself now - meaning, now that she has over come so many of the traditional complications of Aspergers, and yet still has difficulties.  That is where I see Devon.  Devon has mastered some (most) of the areas of his current life right now.  He is an excellent student, dedicated scout and honors his beliefs.  He has friends (sort of) and engages with others on a team (XC) and gives the team 100% of his effort.  However, that doesn't really mean he can live on his own, survive the chaos of college, etc.  I hope he will and can, but I wonder how much of his success is because he has such a great support system in place.  If I weren't there to help, would he be able to do it on his own - would he think through the "best solution" or figure out the "non literal meaning"… I hope so, but I wonder.

The conference was wonderful in that it echoed the validity and proof that everything I have done with Devon so far was and continues to be the "Right" strategy to follow.  I wish I could help everyone that has a child with Asperger or is on the Autism spectrum to understand the consistency of allowable actions and follow through of consequences in vital to success.  I wish everyone knew that praise of positive behavior is 100% more effective that recognition of negative behavior.  I wish everyone would bear down and be firm on their expectations - what you expect of one child should be expected of them all.  That was a huge key in Devon's success.  For the most part, we didn't make exceptions for him.  Anyway, it was a great reminder that we are doing the right things.

It was also such a good feeling to have shared the conference with someone else that may benefit from it.  I hope and pray for her family as well!