After visiting the urologist and reviewing my newest x-ray, it is official. Glenda the kidney stone has not budged. The little bugger refuses to leave me, so Doogie Howser MD is going to go in after him tomorrow... which means I'll be enduring yet another painful procedure. And then on Thursday (that's right, the very next day), I'm going camping! I know, you think I'm nuts, but we've been planning this camping trip for a long time, and I will not stay at home missing out on seeing my dear family. In my crazy defense, after finding out from dear young Doogie that I most likely will be sore and uncomfortable for five to fourteen days after the procedure, I did ask to postpone the procedure until I come back from my camping trip on the 15th... He just looked at me and shook his head... "You want the pain to go away, right?"
"Thank you Captain Obvious."
"Your welcome Lieutenant Sarcasm, I guess you're just not going to be a happy camper." I took that as a "no." Cheeky little bugger. I suppose I had it coming with all the digs I dished out at him. At least the kid has a sense of humor.
I may need to take a week off from blogging, but I promise to be back soon, with pictures of our camping trip and most likely a fun story to go with them.
Must go and pack for my procedure tomorrow, as well as the camping trip and clean my home. This time I'm packing one bag for Dayton and one bag for me, this way there is no way for me to forget my underwear.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
~I'm back~
Well I'm sorry to all my readers. Lou is away for a bit taking care of some medical stuff n CAMPING(so jealous). So I thought to keep everyone on their toes, and update on what's been going on. I'M BACK. I'm sure some will be happy that I'm writing again as you guys get a grin n giggle out of it, for those that are shaking their head DON'T READ further, you never like what I have to say, and you won't like it this time.
Every June the fear of "summer" creeps into my house. Days are longer, no routines, daycare goes crazy, everyone is holidays. I'm sure others have gone through this dreadful time too. This year has been a little harder. With Nik starting a new school May, finishing off the year was exhausting. Adjustments at daycare, new house, ect. Since starting daycare he's now on his second 1-1 worker. School ended on a irritating note. Summer has been insane with all the activities. On that note though, he's had a blast. He's gone to fun mountain, the zoo, met the goldeyes, weekly trips to splash pads and library, slurpee days, built a lemonade stand. Very good summer. So with the brief on our summer, there has also been problems. Nik's had trouble adjusting to the long days, everyday. No therapies, no supports, no routine. We've backtracked to the point where he's hitting again, name calling, lashing out at random. Err does it ever stop?
Summer is quickly ending which I'm personally happy about.Get back to routine, back to support? back to school, bring on September!!!! I really want to clarify and put my input on some issues that I am continuing to see, face, and read about. We are approaching grade 1, NO PLAN is set up for the school year. Although the Dr's have made request, 18 months NO SERVICES! I understand there is standards and policies ect. I've said in the past, for inclusion to work it needs to include everyone. The government announced a new program called "Thrive". YA!!!!! Oh wait, your gonna help preschool? Adults? Shorter ABA wait lists? :O AMAZING. Oh crap, my son doesn't fit into any of that? He's not severe?he's too old/too young? hmm so now what? Now calm down, I'm not totally knocking the program. Although I think it's a little too early to throw a party for it just yet, my concern is this, There are CHILDREN who are SCHOOL AGE, who are not severe but mild or moderate. What is for them? I can't count how many times I've been at a meeting, info session where they look at me and say " Sorry he's not Autistic enough".. Now this announcement will help A LOT of people which is great if it gets off the ground. Now what's the plan for the people it doesn't help? I'm not the only person who's falling in this "not autistic enough" class. It's like we're on the Titanic and we're the lower class that's gonna go down with the ship. What are we doing wrong?
Parents, teachers, school boards, doctors laugh when I tell them what's happening. For those that new, here's a quick 101: Nik first went to CDC at 2. After 2.5 years of back n forth we transferred to MATC. Finally summer 2010 got the CONFIRMED PDDNOS. Now from 2008-2010 we had 1-1, speech, ot, CDC, everything. The early intervention was AMAZING. Starting prep for school(what a nightmare) and that's where the world gets fuzzy. Since Feb.2010 I have learnt that NOT every school is the same. NOT every child gets help. Having a DX doesn't mean CRAP when it comes to the school. In my experience and from what I've been told unless there is behaviour problems or severe medical, funding is NOT THERE. There are different classes, "severe", "mild/moderate", "normal". Really there's only two in my experience. Either your severe and get some assistance(although it's not always great), or your normal n get NOTHING.
I don't expect the world to bend over back for my child, however I do expect him to be given the tools and opportunity to succeed. Does he need help? Yes. Point blank. He can't sit in a class all day alone and understand what's happening. He doesn't understand changing from subject to subject. He has NO clue when it comes to the subject of Language Arts. Give him numbers and he's got it under control. He will not raise his hand to answer a group question cause the spots on the ceiling are more interesting. throwing a paper at him and giving him 15 instructions he's lost. had you said get your purple crayon, now make a circle, now make 2 eyes, would understand. he can't process visual and auditory at the same. However here that's how teachers teach. I guess my anger comes from the fact that, schools and the government are helping others. Have you seen the budget to TEACH ENGLISH? to new comers? Yes it's a very important tool, totally worth the money. Ever notice how much money Canada/Manitoba sends to other countries to help people there have clean water, get a education ect? Just saying, something is little off when we can help everyone but the people that are right here in our backyard.
So I'm sure I've irritated some of you and I don't apologize for that. I apologize to the many children who are being left on the side. I apologize to the MANY parents that are sitting in the same sinking ship as me. I'm sorry that I am one person and I can't find that damn machine to make a cure all pill. I'm sorry that your trying to find a band aid big enough for Autism but shoppers is all sold out. I'm sorry to the parents who have a "normal" and "different" child. I fully understand how hard it is to spend equal time with each. I'm sorry for all the children with speech delays that can't have a voice for someone to hear. I am not, nor will I ever be sorry though for someone not agreeing with me, or thinking that my child DOESN'T need the help. I am NOT sorry to the people who see the world as black n white because if you open the window there's a lot of pink, blue, green, and purple all around us. I will never stop fighting for my child, and all the other children who doesn't fit.
Love all of your supporters and one day our little ones will rise above.
Guest Blogger,
Wendy
Monday, 8 August 2011
20 Reasons Why Mom's With Special Needs Kids ROCK!!!!
1) Because we never thought that "doing it all" would mean doing this much. But we do do it all -- and then some.
2) Because we've discovered patience we never knew we had.
3) Because we are willing to do something 10 times, 100 times or 1,000 times if that's what it takes for our kids to learn something new.
4) Because we have heard doctors tell us the worst, and we've refused to believe them. Take THAT, naysaying doctors of the world!
5) Because we have bad days and breakdowns and bawl-fests, and then we pick ourselves up and keep right on going.
6) Because we gracefully handle the stares, the comments, the rude remarks. (Well, mostly gracefully.)
7) Because we manage to get ourselves together and get out the door looking pretty damn good. Heck, we even make sweatpants look good!
8) Because we are strong. Man, are we strong. Who knew we could be this strong?
9) Because we aren't just moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs and women who work. We are moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs, women who work, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, researchers, nurses, coaches and cheerleaders. Whew!
10) Because we work overtime every single day.
11) Because we also worry overtime, but we work it through. Or we eat chocolate or Pirate's Booty or gourmet cheese (which aren't reimbursable by insurance as mental-health necessities, but should be).
12) Because we are more selfless than other moms. Our kids need us more.
13) Because we give our kids with special needs endless love, and then we still have so much love left for our other kids, our husbands, our families. And our hairstylists, of course.
14) Because we inspire one another in this crazy blogosphere every single day.
15) Because we understand our kids better than anyone else -- even if they can't talk; even if they can't gesture; even if they can't look us in the eye. We know. We just know.
16) Because we never stop pushing for our kids.
17) Because we never stop hoping for them, either.
18) Because just when it seems like things are going OK, they're suddenly not OK, but we deal. Somehow, we always deal -- even when it seems like our heads or hearts might explode.
19) Because when we look at our kids, we just see great kids -- not kids with cerebral palsy/autism/Down syndrome/developmental delays/whatever.
20) Because ... well, you tell me.
A fellow autism mom found this on the internet one day, and posted it on facebook. I just had to share it with y'all.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
2) Because we've discovered patience we never knew we had.
3) Because we are willing to do something 10 times, 100 times or 1,000 times if that's what it takes for our kids to learn something new.
4) Because we have heard doctors tell us the worst, and we've refused to believe them. Take THAT, naysaying doctors of the world!
5) Because we have bad days and breakdowns and bawl-fests, and then we pick ourselves up and keep right on going.
6) Because we gracefully handle the stares, the comments, the rude remarks. (Well, mostly gracefully.)
7) Because we manage to get ourselves together and get out the door looking pretty damn good. Heck, we even make sweatpants look good!
8) Because we are strong. Man, are we strong. Who knew we could be this strong?
9) Because we aren't just moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs and women who work. We are moms, wives, cooks, cleaners, chauffeurs, women who work, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, researchers, nurses, coaches and cheerleaders. Whew!
10) Because we work overtime every single day.
11) Because we also worry overtime, but we work it through. Or we eat chocolate or Pirate's Booty or gourmet cheese (which aren't reimbursable by insurance as mental-health necessities, but should be).
12) Because we are more selfless than other moms. Our kids need us more.
13) Because we give our kids with special needs endless love, and then we still have so much love left for our other kids, our husbands, our families. And our hairstylists, of course.
14) Because we inspire one another in this crazy blogosphere every single day.
15) Because we understand our kids better than anyone else -- even if they can't talk; even if they can't gesture; even if they can't look us in the eye. We know. We just know.
16) Because we never stop pushing for our kids.
17) Because we never stop hoping for them, either.
18) Because just when it seems like things are going OK, they're suddenly not OK, but we deal. Somehow, we always deal -- even when it seems like our heads or hearts might explode.
19) Because when we look at our kids, we just see great kids -- not kids with cerebral palsy/autism/Down syndrome/developmental delays/whatever.
20) Because ... well, you tell me.
A fellow autism mom found this on the internet one day, and posted it on facebook. I just had to share it with y'all.Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Sunday, 7 August 2011
When, Heaven Forbid, Chocolate Fails, Try A Margarita.
Yup. I'm having one of them days. I love my friends, I really, really do, but the friends that are not autism parents tend to drive me nuts sometimes. It's not their fault, really. They're not faced with autism the way I am every day. They don't understand, nor do they need to. But there are times where I really wish they'd keep their freaking opinions to themselves, know what I mean?
"What Dayton really needs a good swift kick in the butt."
Yeah... I felt like shoving my foot up this victim's butt, but unfortunately I got whiplash from whipping my head to face her.
"He's not autistic, he looks fine."
"He's a little hyper, you medicate him for that, right?" While in the same sentence she asks me if I forgot to give him his meds this morning.
"Oh well... I've heard of kids not really speaking until they hit five, cause they have nothing to say. Wasn't it Einstein that didn't talk till he was five? He made out well, didn't he?"
"Dayton's a lot smarter than you give him credit for. He's a bright kid, you just need to stop using the "autism card."
"You baby Dayton way too much. You should let him play outside without you sitting there watching him like a hawk. How is he suppose to become self sufficient when you won't let him fight his own battles?" (This coming from the same mom that told me that Dayton's not allowed to play with her son because Dayton always ends up hurting him).
After Dayton gets into a fight with another child: "What that boy needs is a good spank." Then I turn around and tell the parent: "If you could teach your kid some manners and have him stop calling my child a retard, Dayton wouldn't have had to defend himself."
"Dayton's not autistic Lou, he's just like any other kid." Really? Is that why he rings your door bell and laughs when you answer it? Most children would say "hey, can I play with little Joey?" Not Dayton... He rings the door bell and laughs when the person answers it, not knowing what to say, or what his purpose is.
My all time favorite comes from Dayton's school... "what Dayton needs is some DISCIPLINE." Hmmmm, yes, I can see how his autism would go away, he just needs some discipline.
Let's take a look at an example, shall we? It's summer!!! On our way to the beach, just a short distance away, how many of us have walked on gravel because we're just to lazy to lace up our shoes... It's only a few steps, no biggy, right? All the way, you're thinking "ouch, ouch, ouch, should have put my damn shoes on. In what moment of insanity did I think walking bare foot on hot coals from hell was a brilliant idea?" Well, autism is kind of like that, in that it keeps a parent on their toes, but for children like Dayton who are undersensative and need more stimulation that others, he can run through that same hot gravel. His pain threshold is super high, and sometimes scary. For instance, last year's May long weekend's camping trip ended up with Dayton breaking his foot in three different places by jumping from the top of the play structure to the ground. In tears (which rarely happens), he tells me his foot hurts. I brush the tears away, examine his foot which looks just fine, comfort as much as he will allow me, and ask him "babe, would you feel better and stop crying if I get you some ice cream?" He nodded a brave yes, and wiped the rest of his tears away. He stopped crying immediately! I sat beside him and watch him lick his ice cream, smiling away. He seemed happy and carefree, confirming my suspicion that he was 'just fine.'
He limped all the way back to our campsite, but by evening, he was running around in circles! Holly cow! We went home the next day, and at bed time I saw his foot was swollen a tiny bit, but Dayton didn't complain. He went to school the next day, limping a little, and I felt guilty going to work, but figured he was OK. After work, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have his foot examined by a doctor. Sure enough, it was broken in three places... Had it been me, I'd have been crying, screaming, raging in pain, writhing on the floor and refusing to get up, in essence, having a melt down. There's no way I'd be able to put my shoe on, never mind run around with a busted foot.
Today, I left Dayton with a babysitter and went out with a girlfriend for a little me time. About an hour into me time, I get a call from the babysitter... Dayton got sick and vomit all over her sofa... He then walked across to the love seat, and tried wiping the vomit onto the love seat, trying to hide the fact that he got sick because he wanted to go swimming. Just thinking that a neurotypical kid of nine years old would probably get a cloth to wipe up the vomit... He then told his babysitter that the "cat puked." I asked to speak to Dayton, who told me he was feeling fantastic: "Momma, please tell Amy to take me swimming!!! I wanna swim!!! I'm feeling good momma. I don't know what happened."
He was fine all day, running around like the mad little monkey only my son can imitate. After talking to Amy, she said my man was typical Dayton, running around, stopped long enough to get sick (less than a minute), then started running again! Hmmmmm... Really shouldn't be surprising to me. I can't even count how many times I was called by Dayton's school to come and pick him up early because he wasn't feeling well, sometimes as early as half an hour into his first class! By the time I got him home, he was back to normal. How many neurotypical kids can do that?
So, today, when my friend tried to convince me that Dayton doesn't have autism, that I need to stop treating him differently and stop using the "autism card" for everything he does, I had some chocolate. It didn't work, I wanted a cigarette so badly, but I've been trying to quit smoking, so I turned to the next best thing. As soon as my friends hear the blender going, they know I'm having a margarita, which means whatever they've just told me has not been appreciated. I made two, brought it out to the patio, but my friend ran off. Maybe she thought I'd dump a margarita over her head? She knows me so well! Oh well, more for me!!!
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
"What Dayton really needs a good swift kick in the butt."
Yeah... I felt like shoving my foot up this victim's butt, but unfortunately I got whiplash from whipping my head to face her.
"He's not autistic, he looks fine."
"He's a little hyper, you medicate him for that, right?" While in the same sentence she asks me if I forgot to give him his meds this morning.
"Oh well... I've heard of kids not really speaking until they hit five, cause they have nothing to say. Wasn't it Einstein that didn't talk till he was five? He made out well, didn't he?"
"Dayton's a lot smarter than you give him credit for. He's a bright kid, you just need to stop using the "autism card."
"You baby Dayton way too much. You should let him play outside without you sitting there watching him like a hawk. How is he suppose to become self sufficient when you won't let him fight his own battles?" (This coming from the same mom that told me that Dayton's not allowed to play with her son because Dayton always ends up hurting him).
After Dayton gets into a fight with another child: "What that boy needs is a good spank." Then I turn around and tell the parent: "If you could teach your kid some manners and have him stop calling my child a retard, Dayton wouldn't have had to defend himself."
"Dayton's not autistic Lou, he's just like any other kid." Really? Is that why he rings your door bell and laughs when you answer it? Most children would say "hey, can I play with little Joey?" Not Dayton... He rings the door bell and laughs when the person answers it, not knowing what to say, or what his purpose is.
My all time favorite comes from Dayton's school... "what Dayton needs is some DISCIPLINE." Hmmmm, yes, I can see how his autism would go away, he just needs some discipline.
Let's take a look at an example, shall we? It's summer!!! On our way to the beach, just a short distance away, how many of us have walked on gravel because we're just to lazy to lace up our shoes... It's only a few steps, no biggy, right? All the way, you're thinking "ouch, ouch, ouch, should have put my damn shoes on. In what moment of insanity did I think walking bare foot on hot coals from hell was a brilliant idea?" Well, autism is kind of like that, in that it keeps a parent on their toes, but for children like Dayton who are undersensative and need more stimulation that others, he can run through that same hot gravel. His pain threshold is super high, and sometimes scary. For instance, last year's May long weekend's camping trip ended up with Dayton breaking his foot in three different places by jumping from the top of the play structure to the ground. In tears (which rarely happens), he tells me his foot hurts. I brush the tears away, examine his foot which looks just fine, comfort as much as he will allow me, and ask him "babe, would you feel better and stop crying if I get you some ice cream?" He nodded a brave yes, and wiped the rest of his tears away. He stopped crying immediately! I sat beside him and watch him lick his ice cream, smiling away. He seemed happy and carefree, confirming my suspicion that he was 'just fine.'
He limped all the way back to our campsite, but by evening, he was running around in circles! Holly cow! We went home the next day, and at bed time I saw his foot was swollen a tiny bit, but Dayton didn't complain. He went to school the next day, limping a little, and I felt guilty going to work, but figured he was OK. After work, I decided it wouldn't hurt to have his foot examined by a doctor. Sure enough, it was broken in three places... Had it been me, I'd have been crying, screaming, raging in pain, writhing on the floor and refusing to get up, in essence, having a melt down. There's no way I'd be able to put my shoe on, never mind run around with a busted foot.
Today, I left Dayton with a babysitter and went out with a girlfriend for a little me time. About an hour into me time, I get a call from the babysitter... Dayton got sick and vomit all over her sofa... He then walked across to the love seat, and tried wiping the vomit onto the love seat, trying to hide the fact that he got sick because he wanted to go swimming. Just thinking that a neurotypical kid of nine years old would probably get a cloth to wipe up the vomit... He then told his babysitter that the "cat puked." I asked to speak to Dayton, who told me he was feeling fantastic: "Momma, please tell Amy to take me swimming!!! I wanna swim!!! I'm feeling good momma. I don't know what happened."
He was fine all day, running around like the mad little monkey only my son can imitate. After talking to Amy, she said my man was typical Dayton, running around, stopped long enough to get sick (less than a minute), then started running again! Hmmmmm... Really shouldn't be surprising to me. I can't even count how many times I was called by Dayton's school to come and pick him up early because he wasn't feeling well, sometimes as early as half an hour into his first class! By the time I got him home, he was back to normal. How many neurotypical kids can do that?
So, today, when my friend tried to convince me that Dayton doesn't have autism, that I need to stop treating him differently and stop using the "autism card" for everything he does, I had some chocolate. It didn't work, I wanted a cigarette so badly, but I've been trying to quit smoking, so I turned to the next best thing. As soon as my friends hear the blender going, they know I'm having a margarita, which means whatever they've just told me has not been appreciated. I made two, brought it out to the patio, but my friend ran off. Maybe she thought I'd dump a margarita over her head? She knows me so well! Oh well, more for me!!!
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Province Launches Autism Support Plan
Here's the news paper article from the Winnipeg Free Press:
Province launches autism support plan
The provincial government has launched a five-year plan to support Manitobans of all ages that are affected by autism spectrum disorders.
The plan, called "Thrive!", will begin with $1 million that will go mainly toward providing preschoolers with a treatment called applied behaviour analysis and toward outreach services in rural and northern Manitoba. A smaller amount of funding will hire experts for behaviroual consultation for children who complete the applied behaviour analysis and create a meeting program between parents of autistic children to share knowledge.
Currently there are long wait lists for the applied behaviour analysis program, which the new funding hopes to eliminate.
The $1 million is only the tip of the iceberg, funding four out of the 40 programs in which the Thrive! plan hopes to invest.
One of its main aims is to provide support to adults with autism, since the bulk of funding goes currently to children.
Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh, who made the announcement along with Education Minister Nancy Allan, could not say how much Thrive will cost in the long run.
Here's another excpert from a similar article from Winnipeg Press:
First, I'd like to congratulate the government for doing at least this much for our younger children on the spectrum.
Second, I'd like to know where this leaves school age children!!! My boy is nine years old, so Thrive won't be of any use in our EDUCATION SYSTEM!!! Until the age of five, most families will receive or at least be offered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) already, until that is, the child becomes of school age in which case ABA is dropped!!! While I understand that there is a waiting list for ABA, the sad reality is that our provincial government only allows ABA up to age five. When I finally got Dayton's diagnosis of PDD-NOS at age seven, I was told he was too old to receive ABA therapy. A kind of slap in the face when Alberta's government allows this same therapy to continue through age twenty-one!!!
What I'd really like to see is ABA extended to these children throughout their school years! Or hey, let's start offering the ABA therapy to those school age children who didn't get their diagnosis until AFTER age five. It seems like services seem to disappear after this age, so makes sense to me that the government should be looking at school age children. But what the hell do I know... I'm just an autism mom, right? Grrrrr...
And as for Anne Kresta... Oh jeez... The woman hates me so much she refuses to help other parents of children with autism if they have a relationship with me. I really should have listened to my friend when she told me the woman was useless and to stay away from her. But no. I just had to meet her, hoping she would be of some help to our children... Oh well, lesson learned. A topic for another day.
Anyways...
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
The plan, called "Thrive!", will begin with $1 million that will go mainly toward providing preschoolers with a treatment called applied behaviour analysis and toward outreach services in rural and northern Manitoba. A smaller amount of funding will hire experts for behaviroual consultation for children who complete the applied behaviour analysis and create a meeting program between parents of autistic children to share knowledge.
Currently there are long wait lists for the applied behaviour analysis program, which the new funding hopes to eliminate.
The $1 million is only the tip of the iceberg, funding four out of the 40 programs in which the Thrive! plan hopes to invest.
One of its main aims is to provide support to adults with autism, since the bulk of funding goes currently to children.
Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh, who made the announcement along with Education Minister Nancy Allan, could not say how much Thrive will cost in the long run.
Here's another excpert from a similar article from Winnipeg Press:
Province launches new five-year autism strategy
Applied behaviour analysis gets $600,000 in funding
The provincial government has launched a five-year plan to support Manitobans of all ages that are affected by autism spectrum disorders.
The new strategy, called Thrive, will eventually include 40 initiatives, everything from a technology centre to make the latest tools accessible to parents, to a post-secondary scholarship for high school graduates with autism.
Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Education Minister Nancy Allan announced funding for the first four initiatives Tuesday: about $1 million annually.
Just under $600,000 will go to applied behaviour analysis (ABA) for young children, a treatment that teaches them social, motor, and reasoning skills; $250,000 will go to outreach services in rural and northern Manitoba; $160,000 will finance consultations with experts for children who graduate from ABA treatment; and $8,000 will create a program where parents of children with autism can meet and share knowledge.
Difficulty accessing ABA is a big issue for parents at the moment because there is a long wait-list.
Letisha Recksiedler, whose five-year-old son has autism, waited six months to get him into ABA. During those six months, her son had several "temper tantrums" every day, she said. After he started ABA, the tantrums decreased to one per day, she said.
"Our lives have become less stressful now that we're in the program," Recksiedler said.
The province hopes the Thrive program will eliminate wait-lists for ABA by September.
But some of those who work with people with autism said this announcement neglects what they call the biggest hole in funding -- support services for adults with autism.
Bev Larmour, a past president of Asperger Manitoba Inc. (Asperger syndrome is on the autism spectrum), said the announcement focuses on kids.
"What about the adults who, when they graduate from high school, it's like they fall off the cliff in terms of services?" she said.
Damon Schuler, an Asperger Manitoba Inc. board member and an adult with autism who is attending college, said he doesn't get much support for his studies. "All it is is a different area to write my exam," he said.
Anne Kresta, current president of Asperger Manitoba, said as long as Thrive follows through with its long-term plan, she will be happy.
"The announcement today was very centred upon the ABA portion but we're looking more across the lifespan and we're really pleased to see that the lifespan issues are going to be addressed," she said.
Mackintosh said future Thrive initiatives will help people with autism of all ages.
"Until now, we started and ended with children," he said.
In a press release following the province's announcement, the Progressive Conservative party shrugged off Thrive and the funding for ABA as a pre-election tactic.
"The NDP government has underfunded this critical and proven form of therapy for children with autism until the eve of an election, when they finally decide to offer families an opportunity to continue therapy," said family services critic Bonnie Mitchelson.
william.burr@freepress.mb.ca
The new strategy, called Thrive, will eventually include 40 initiatives, everything from a technology centre to make the latest tools accessible to parents, to a post-secondary scholarship for high school graduates with autism.
Family Services and Consumer Affairs Minister Gord Mackintosh and Education Minister Nancy Allan announced funding for the first four initiatives Tuesday: about $1 million annually.
Just under $600,000 will go to applied behaviour analysis (ABA) for young children, a treatment that teaches them social, motor, and reasoning skills; $250,000 will go to outreach services in rural and northern Manitoba; $160,000 will finance consultations with experts for children who graduate from ABA treatment; and $8,000 will create a program where parents of children with autism can meet and share knowledge.
Difficulty accessing ABA is a big issue for parents at the moment because there is a long wait-list.
Letisha Recksiedler, whose five-year-old son has autism, waited six months to get him into ABA. During those six months, her son had several "temper tantrums" every day, she said. After he started ABA, the tantrums decreased to one per day, she said.
"Our lives have become less stressful now that we're in the program," Recksiedler said.
The province hopes the Thrive program will eliminate wait-lists for ABA by September.
But some of those who work with people with autism said this announcement neglects what they call the biggest hole in funding -- support services for adults with autism.
Bev Larmour, a past president of Asperger Manitoba Inc. (Asperger syndrome is on the autism spectrum), said the announcement focuses on kids.
"What about the adults who, when they graduate from high school, it's like they fall off the cliff in terms of services?" she said.
Damon Schuler, an Asperger Manitoba Inc. board member and an adult with autism who is attending college, said he doesn't get much support for his studies. "All it is is a different area to write my exam," he said.
Anne Kresta, current president of Asperger Manitoba, said as long as Thrive follows through with its long-term plan, she will be happy.
"The announcement today was very centred upon the ABA portion but we're looking more across the lifespan and we're really pleased to see that the lifespan issues are going to be addressed," she said.
Mackintosh said future Thrive initiatives will help people with autism of all ages.
"Until now, we started and ended with children," he said.
In a press release following the province's announcement, the Progressive Conservative party shrugged off Thrive and the funding for ABA as a pre-election tactic.
"The NDP government has underfunded this critical and proven form of therapy for children with autism until the eve of an election, when they finally decide to offer families an opportunity to continue therapy," said family services critic Bonnie Mitchelson.
william.burr@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition June 29, 2011 B3
First, I'd like to congratulate the government for doing at least this much for our younger children on the spectrum.
Second, I'd like to know where this leaves school age children!!! My boy is nine years old, so Thrive won't be of any use in our EDUCATION SYSTEM!!! Until the age of five, most families will receive or at least be offered Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) already, until that is, the child becomes of school age in which case ABA is dropped!!! While I understand that there is a waiting list for ABA, the sad reality is that our provincial government only allows ABA up to age five. When I finally got Dayton's diagnosis of PDD-NOS at age seven, I was told he was too old to receive ABA therapy. A kind of slap in the face when Alberta's government allows this same therapy to continue through age twenty-one!!!
What I'd really like to see is ABA extended to these children throughout their school years! Or hey, let's start offering the ABA therapy to those school age children who didn't get their diagnosis until AFTER age five. It seems like services seem to disappear after this age, so makes sense to me that the government should be looking at school age children. But what the hell do I know... I'm just an autism mom, right? Grrrrr...
And as for Anne Kresta... Oh jeez... The woman hates me so much she refuses to help other parents of children with autism if they have a relationship with me. I really should have listened to my friend when she told me the woman was useless and to stay away from her. But no. I just had to meet her, hoping she would be of some help to our children... Oh well, lesson learned. A topic for another day.
Anyways...
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
I Am A Teacher Help Me God???
No joke. These are the words someone used in the google search engine and was ushered to Autism Diva Help. "I am a teacher help me God." Seriously?!
Who ever this teacher is, I pray you read this post... While I do not wish to short staff any school division, YOU ARE CLEARLY IN THE WRONG PROFESSION. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00...
Reading this sentence brought to mind Michael Zwaagstra book titled What's wrong with Our Schools: and How We Can Fix Them, where Mr. Zwaagstra talks about edu babble and how tomorrow's teachers are being taught how to teach, or dare I say how not to teach, but babble.
Until reading this book, I always looked at my own and Dayton's perspective of how unfair and discriminatory our education system has become, a game of politics so to speak. I never really appreciated a teacher's point of view, and how helpless they must feel in their careers. Their hands seem to be tied behind their back, even if they want to help my babe, they can't. It really seems just as unfair to the teacher as it is to our children. Perhaps the teacher that searched for I am a teacher help me God is a newly graduated teacher, who has been taught today's edu babble.
I really feel horrible for today's teacher. I say this with utmost respect, not in my usual nasal, sarcastic way. As an educator myself, teaching the Pharmacy Technician Program at a local college for the past three years, I've struggled teaching students with English as a second language. Reading their test answers sometimes took three times longer than than it did for me to read an English student's paper. It was frustrating for me as well as the student. To make things easier for all of us, I would allow students sometimes to answer their questions verbally, or allow them to draw their answer out. I wanted my students to feel successful, and know for themselves that they knew their material. I had one curriculum to follow, and one lesson plan for all students equally. If students needed extra help, my door was open for an hour after class. Yes, while I worked for an hour a day for free, it was more important that I produced students of sound knowledge than get paid for five hours a week. Make no mistake, this was not making me a martyr... After all, I am a selfish woman. I wanted to ensure when the time came that I looked for work at a pharmacy, I would not be laughed out of a job due to poor production of my former students...
This is not what's happening in our school system for our children. If your child falls behind, whether or not they have a label, once 3:15pm comes around, your child is no longer the teacher's responsibility. The teacher can not fail your child, and they continue to move on to the next grade level. The elementary teacher no longer teaches a curriculum, they teach each child individually. So, instead of having one curriculum and lesson plan, they have numerous lesson plans. You have got to be one seriously organized individual who's feathers don't ruffle easily to teach in schools today. I'm not one to admit my own weaknesses, but I don't think I have what it takes to teach in an elementary school.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Who ever this teacher is, I pray you read this post... While I do not wish to short staff any school division, YOU ARE CLEARLY IN THE WRONG PROFESSION. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.00...
Reading this sentence brought to mind Michael Zwaagstra book titled What's wrong with Our Schools: and How We Can Fix Them, where Mr. Zwaagstra talks about edu babble and how tomorrow's teachers are being taught how to teach, or dare I say how not to teach, but babble.
Until reading this book, I always looked at my own and Dayton's perspective of how unfair and discriminatory our education system has become, a game of politics so to speak. I never really appreciated a teacher's point of view, and how helpless they must feel in their careers. Their hands seem to be tied behind their back, even if they want to help my babe, they can't. It really seems just as unfair to the teacher as it is to our children. Perhaps the teacher that searched for I am a teacher help me God is a newly graduated teacher, who has been taught today's edu babble.
I really feel horrible for today's teacher. I say this with utmost respect, not in my usual nasal, sarcastic way. As an educator myself, teaching the Pharmacy Technician Program at a local college for the past three years, I've struggled teaching students with English as a second language. Reading their test answers sometimes took three times longer than than it did for me to read an English student's paper. It was frustrating for me as well as the student. To make things easier for all of us, I would allow students sometimes to answer their questions verbally, or allow them to draw their answer out. I wanted my students to feel successful, and know for themselves that they knew their material. I had one curriculum to follow, and one lesson plan for all students equally. If students needed extra help, my door was open for an hour after class. Yes, while I worked for an hour a day for free, it was more important that I produced students of sound knowledge than get paid for five hours a week. Make no mistake, this was not making me a martyr... After all, I am a selfish woman. I wanted to ensure when the time came that I looked for work at a pharmacy, I would not be laughed out of a job due to poor production of my former students...
This is not what's happening in our school system for our children. If your child falls behind, whether or not they have a label, once 3:15pm comes around, your child is no longer the teacher's responsibility. The teacher can not fail your child, and they continue to move on to the next grade level. The elementary teacher no longer teaches a curriculum, they teach each child individually. So, instead of having one curriculum and lesson plan, they have numerous lesson plans. You have got to be one seriously organized individual who's feathers don't ruffle easily to teach in schools today. I'm not one to admit my own weaknesses, but I don't think I have what it takes to teach in an elementary school.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Monday, 1 August 2011
On The Mend
It's been an uphill battle with my kidney stone issue. The little bugger got blasted two weeks ago today, and let me tell you, I don't wish this pain on my worst enemy, not even on the people who have discriminated against my boy. I've passed some of the broken stone since my lithotripsy procedure (a whole new world of pain there), but there is still a chunk left in my left ureter. The little bugger won't go away even after being pulverized. A true pain in the side like this deserves a name of its own... I think I'll call it Glenda.
Anyways... thank God for grandparents. I had been hospitalized for nearly a week, so Dayton had to go spend some time with grandma Karen and grandpa Hans. Glen, Dayton's daddy, forgot to give Dayton his medication for two nights in a row, then calls me at the hospital to ask me what he should do. After giving him advice, he decided to do the complete opposite of what I told him to do. Wonderful. Mental note: mothers are not allowed to get sick.
When I tried to explain my home situation to Doogie Howser MD, and how Dayton needs his momma to get home ASAP, and that Dayton doesn't really care if I'm in pain or feeling sick, or am taking a naked jog through a busy mall on Boxing Day slapping people in the head screaming "you are healed,"... His needs don't stop, so neither can I. "Give me some pain meds and send me home, fix me already!!!" The young pup of a urologist looked at me as though I had a third eye growing out of my forehead.
I am home now, and I thank you all who have been kind enough to email me with your concern about the inactive state of Autism Diva Help. I apologize for neglecting my readers. I'm feeling a bit better and feel my mind is a wee bit clearer without the fog of pain medications.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Anyways... thank God for grandparents. I had been hospitalized for nearly a week, so Dayton had to go spend some time with grandma Karen and grandpa Hans. Glen, Dayton's daddy, forgot to give Dayton his medication for two nights in a row, then calls me at the hospital to ask me what he should do. After giving him advice, he decided to do the complete opposite of what I told him to do. Wonderful. Mental note: mothers are not allowed to get sick.
When I tried to explain my home situation to Doogie Howser MD, and how Dayton needs his momma to get home ASAP, and that Dayton doesn't really care if I'm in pain or feeling sick, or am taking a naked jog through a busy mall on Boxing Day slapping people in the head screaming "you are healed,"... His needs don't stop, so neither can I. "Give me some pain meds and send me home, fix me already!!!" The young pup of a urologist looked at me as though I had a third eye growing out of my forehead.
I am home now, and I thank you all who have been kind enough to email me with your concern about the inactive state of Autism Diva Help. I apologize for neglecting my readers. I'm feeling a bit better and feel my mind is a wee bit clearer without the fog of pain medications.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
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