IDEAS TO SAY THANK-YOU TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASS

IDEAS TO SAY THANK-YOU TO YOUR CHILD'S CLASS

It is almost Christmas and time for parents to acknowledge all the hard work teachers, schools and specialists have contributed throughout the year. Every year I make the extra effort to say thank-you to the children in my son's classroom, his teachers and of course his aides. I usually do this through a letter and a card, but it is not always easy to know what to say, so I thought I would share my ideas for this year.  These little extra ways of showing appreciation, I believe, help to strengthen friendships my son has with his peers.

Even though my son deserves to be in a mainstream classroom, I have always be very aware of the impact his needs have on the other children, I feel as a parent, you have to be.

Here is the Christmas card my son and I have made for each child......

Writing is difficult..... so anything that shows he has contributed is important and personal.

An example of a letter I write to every family who had a child in my son's classroom.....

To the Parents of the beautiful children in.......

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank the children and families of _____.

It is hard to believe we have all arrived at the end of another school year.  My how the children have grown.  I feel we are all so blessed to have such wonderful, caring and supportive people involved in our children’s education.  ______________ have been miraculous this year. What inspirational women!

As always, I was extremely concerned when it was time for ___________ to start another school year, with new class mates and surroundings.  It is so difficult to determine if he is settled, happy and learning. I also wondered if he would continue to speak and foster friendships as he had done previously. When I reflect, I know I had absolutely nothing to be concerned about.  Your children, the truly amazing little people that they are, have accepted ________ and his Autistic traits, involved him socially, playing games, reading and bonded in a such a special way, only the children can really understand.  ________ is a very gentle soul. His traits can be over-whelming at times and can, isolate him when around other children.  However under the gentle guidance of _______________________________, your children have looked beyond those traits and differences allowing ________ to open the door into his world. Your children have seen ___________ true nature and for this I am forever grateful.

________________ has progressed so much in his social and cognitive development this year, all thanks to just being around children. He has enjoyed reading the kids stories and playing with them in the playground. He has thrived on their warm smiles and high 5’s in the morning and will engage, socially confident and happy.  This is such as special gift, as I know how lucky I am to have a Autistic child capable of these feats.  Autism can be an incredibly cruel disorder. It can take your child in a world where no-one is permitted to enter. Just to have _____________ looking at us, saying a few words, smiling and laughing, being cheeky, running and playing are “gifts” to our family.. gifts I was told he would never have.  Your support with ____________ is also greatly appreciated. To have your children share in his development, to understand what Autism is, to accept differences without judgement, all at a very young age, is truly incredible and a credit to you, the parents of these precious angels.

A heart-felt thank-you is also extended to all the Birthday parties we were invited to and were able to attend. To all the Parent-helpers to worked with _____________ within the classroom and the friendships extended to both my boys and myself. I have really enjoyed hearing stories from the other parents and children about _____________ day.  It gets hard sometimes when he cannot tell you all the things he did and learnt, so to hear this from others, gives me strength and courage to face the hardest of times. 

I cannot thank-you all enough.  We have a truly compassionate school and parish environment and this I know will give _____________ the opportunities he deserves in life. So again, God Bless and thank-you.

Faithfully,

Blessed are Those.

I. Blessed are those who stop and listen to my chatter. You may not understand me; but I love when people talk to me, for I long for companionship, too.

II. Blessed are those who take my hand and walk with me when the path is rough, for I easily stumble and grow weary. But thank you, too, for letting me walk alone when the path is smooth, for I must learn independence.

III. Blessed are those who take the time to tell me about special happenings, for unless you make special effort to inform me, I remain ignorant.

IV. Blessed are those who wait for me. I may be slow, but I appreciate your patience.

V. Blessed are those who are not ashamed to be seen in public with me, for I did not choose to be born thus. It could have been you as well.

VI. Blessed are those who do not pity me, for I don't want pity. All I want is understanding and respect for what I have learned as well.

VII. Blessed are those who notice my accomplishments, small as they may seem to you. I must work long and hard to learn many of the things you take for granted.

VIII. Blessed are those who include me in their games, even though I may not understand the rules, I still like to be included in your activities.

IX. Blessed are those who think of me as a person who loves, and hurts, and feels joy and pain just like you do, for in that respect I am normal.

Author Unknown

CHRISTMAS is a time to sit back.....breathe, enjoy family, time and most importantly be appreciative for all the good people and opportunities in our lives. It only takes a minute to smile and say thanks.....

7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD......

At this time of the year.... we are all exhausted.
There are no easy days.
So I thought a little inspiration to keep us all smiling was in order.
Have a blessed day.
:-)

The Seven Wonders Of The World......

Author Unknown

Junior high school students in Chicago were 

studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At 

the end of the lesson, the students were asked 

to list what they considered to be the Seven 

Wonders of the World. Though there was some 

disagreement, the following received the 

most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids

2. The Taj Mahal in India

3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona

4. The Panama Canal

5. The Empire State Building

6. St. Peter's Basilica

7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch...

2. to taste...

3. to see...

4. to hear... (She hesitated a little, and then added...)

5. to feel...

6. to laugh...

7. and to love.

The room was so quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. 

May this story serve as a gentle reminder to all of us that the things we overlook as simple and ordinary are often the most wonderful - and we don't have to travel anywhere special to experience them.

Enjoy your gifts!

“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million.”

Not all disabilities are created equal

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/not-all-disabilities-are-created-equal-20121109-29313.html

NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE CREATED EQUAL.

 

 

 

If your son or daughter attends a school with more than 88 kids in it, the chances are that one of those children has autism. There's a greater chance, though, you don't even know.
That is because many children with autism - especially children now in early primary school who have had access to federal funding for early intervention programs - can cope just fine in mainstream schools.
But the case this week of Ethen, an eight-year-old Campbelltown boy excluded from special school because of autism and other disorders, raised much hysteria. What it should have raised was the urgency and importance of the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS).
Ethen, it was reported, was excluded from school because he was violent. Behaviour, along with speech difficulties and social communication issues, form the triad of impairments required for an autism diagnosis. A child on the autism spectrum can have mild, moderate or severe deficiencies in one or all of these categories. Not all children with autism have significant behaviours. Not all children with Asperger syndrome can recite Shakespeare at age five. Generalisations that rise from stories like Ethen's or publicising the achievements of a gifted Asperger's child do nothing to help society understand the majority of children who fall in the middle of the spectrum.

 

Ethen's mother, Katrece Burns, told Fairfax he had also been excluded from respite care, meaning Mrs Burns and her other four children do not get a break from her son's needs. Ethen, who was diagnosed at four, accessed most of the available funding under the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package before he ''aged out'' of the system at six. The package was designed to assist with the costs of early intervention programs, which address impairments in early childhood when the brain is most able to be influenced.
HCWA, a Howard Government promise in 2007 that became Labor policy in 2008, failed to help Ethen sufficiently, and it was not designed to help his family cope with his autism. But the NDIS has the potential to change everything for the families like the Burnses. Where HCWA is rationed at $12,000 per child regardless of the severity of disability, NDIS will take an individual approach. So a child who requires greater help should, if the government gets it right, receive a better-funded program to suit his needs.
The Productivity Commission's recommendation to the Gillard government - which along with disability community input is expected to form much of the NDIS legislation to be introduced into federal Parliament his month - has focused on eligibility and reasonable support.
''There are about 583,000 people that will be supported by the NDIS either with or without a funded package,'' the recommendation says. ''Funded support under an NDIS would be for people where a needs assessment indicates that the severity of their disability impacts on their ability to do normal day-to-day activities, and means that they need support.''
Promises have also been made by the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Senator Jan McLucas, that this will include early intervention. ''You [the disability community] told us that early intervention needed to be explicitly included in the definition of eligibility. Of course, support for early intervention is one of the key ideas behind an NDIS, but the feedback we received made us realise how important it is that this be stated upfront. So it will be,'' a co-signed NDIS newsletter said on November 2.
Nicole Rogerson, the chair of Autism Awareness and a long-time campaigner for funding for effective early intervention, remains cautious. ''Early intervention is key, but it has to be good quality, evidence-based and meet best practice guidelines,'' she says. ''They know what it is, they don't want to pay for it. I don't believe NDIS will be the answer unless we fight for the specifics within the policy.''  While the rationing system of HCWA failed Ethen, it was enough to help pay for my son's early intervention. This, along with mild symptoms, meant he could enter mainstream school.  Yet online discussion following the publishing of Ethen's story favoured all children with autism being excluded from mainstream school. The ignorance involved in forming this view is frightening.
My seven-year-old can be burdensome on his teachers. They might have to take the lid off the jelly bean jar to reward him for completing his work. Sometimes, because of his deficiency in social communication, he might yell at another child who does the wrong thing. But ''normal'' kids yell too.
With a normal-range IQ (no, he cannot recite Shakespeare, but he can read Zac Power) and no significant behaviour problems, my son does not need a heavily taxpayer-funded place in a high staff-ratio special school - and this holds true for most children with high-functioning autism and Asperger syndrome.
No single approach to education works for all children with autism - that is why it is a ''spectrum'' and that is why there is a broad range of supports available in the education system - from the jelly bean jar or teacher's aide support in mainstream class, to high support with high staff ratios in specialist autism schools. This year, I have interviewed dozens of parents, from Perth, to Townsville, to rural Tasmania, for the second edition of the Australian Autism Handbook, which will be released next year. Some of the children in the book have had success in mainstream schools, others in special schools. It does sadden me that some of the effective cases of education I have heard involve home schooling and distance education to avoid bullying. But ''normal'' kids get bullied too.
The Coalition took a $20,000-per-child ''education card'' promise to the 2010 election, aimed at helping 6000 children who need it most.
But funding isn't everything. The Positive Partnerships program has helped mainstream school teachers learn the skills they need to manage children with autism. Many teachers have reported improved skills in managing all children. ''Normal'' kids misbehave sometimes too.
The NDIS Launch Transition Agency is expected to be functioning by next July in trial zones in the Hunter, Geelong, the ACT and South Australia after legislation passes through parliament early next year. The government is keen to get the legislation right and will not rush.
It is too late for Ethen to access effective early intervention. But for the mother peering at her newspaper right now concerned that her two-year-old is not responding to his name, looking her in the eye or saying ''mum'', there is hope that they will be able to access sufficient early intervention to be able to function in mainstream society.
And, from a broader perspective, NDIS allows the hope that one day many children with autism will grow into taxpayers, not a burden on the tax system that ignorant campaigns which attempt to exclude them from mainstream school might result in.
Kathryn Wicks is a Herald journalist and co-author of The Australian Autism Handbook, second edition (April 2013).

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/not-all-disabilities-are-created-equal-20121109-29313.html#ixzz2BjwDg2Pz

Advantages of Apps for Autism.....

Advantages of Apps for Autism.....

 

I received a text message last night from a beautiful friend whom I have known since I was 13 years old. It was about a 60 minute interview regarding Apps and Autism. She lives in Melbourne, has two beautiful children of her own and has ALWAYS been a huge supporter of everything I do.  At first I thought, "Oh Good Lord..... ANOTHER one!"  but was pleasently surprised by the content covered.  Secondly, my eldest pride and joy sat and watched the program with me.  He has never really done too much of this before. Being "overly-sensistive" I do try to shield him from harsh realities of Autism.  He lives it everyday so there is no real need to watch it on television too.

The main points and the effectiveness of Apps and Ipads when used with children who have Autism or other disabilities, was well covered.  I was also please to see the results of studies performed in Canada.  A few years ago when I first looked at the Apps with my youngest, there was no real concrete data to suggest that these Apps would be of any benefit. So it was real trial and error. I guess I just followed my instincts as a mum and teacher. 

I was however totally intrigued by the latest medical breakthroughs involving scans of the brain. The 60 minutes team, interviewed scientists and medical staff at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, who showed images of a neuro typically developing brain and compared them with an Autistic brain.  It was incredible. Researchers have been trying to discover why some people with Autism cannot speak, while other can.  A topic close to home, you may say.   When specialists explain to you that your child has "faulty wiring" of the neuro sensors in his brain.... you try your best to visualise it.  I used to think of an electical switchboard all mixed up.  These scans with their highlighted colours and images really show the inside of the working of the brain clearly and the sensors or wiring. Latest research is narrowing in on the area of the brain that connects an image one see to actually saying or speaking the word, and what connection happens or doesn't happen for an Autistic person.  There was even a suggestion of the possibility of identifying and repairing the parts of the brain effected in the future.  It reminded me so much of the RDI (Relationships Early Intervention Program) I had started with my son a few years ago.  The idea of repairing and retraining the brain.

I have included the link for anyone interested in viewing the 60 minutes link.... it was definately worth a look.

 

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/this-week-first-words/xt3jxf3?from=player%5efallback%5enews%5esixtyminutes%5ehome

 

http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/

 

The Autism effected brain is on the left.......

 

 

Another quick note is regarding a fantastic new App on Meditation.  The App is called ...

Smiling Mind, and has been developed to help young people learn and practicse Meditation skills. Following highly regarded institutions such as UCLA, Harvard, Oxford, Monash and Melbourne Universities in Australia have conducted clinical studies into the positive impacts of Mindfulness Meditation. Results prove that regular practice helps combat stress, improves focus and increases resilience, so Smiling Mind has been created to take these positive effects to the masses. 

Emotional resilience and anxiety/depression are huge problems not only with Australian youth but throughout the world.  I have it on my son's Apple devices and as well on my Iphone.  Fantastic Innovation to teach young people skills like; how to relax through medication, how to listen to their body and take appropriate action.  Much more positive than prescribing anti-depressants and other anti-anxiety medications. 

Let me know what you think too!

 



 

 

 

 



SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS........

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS........

 

Double Helix holiday science - South Queensland: Join these fun holiday programs run by CSIRO's Double Helix Science Club in South Queensland.Children aged 7 - 12 years old. http://www.csiro.au/events/SQLD-Holidays

Creative kids will love these free, art workshops at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Join Tricia Smout, artist in residence, on September 25 for Fascinating Fibonacci Fun. Based on the Fibonacci number sequence, kids can create their own book then write and draw on the pages. Spring Celebration, on September 28, will see children make a light-catcher or bookmark using flowers and leaves. Both of these workshops, suitable for eight-year-olds and over, will take place in the Japanese Garden from 11am to 2pm. For more information, phone Tricia on (07) 3379 1406.

Young Indiana Joneses will dig Raiders of the Lost Fort at Fort Lytton. These one-day workshops will see children, from six to twelve years-old, assist an archaeologist to unearth the secret of the fort before time runs out. Raiders of the Lost Fort will run on September 25, 26, and 27 from 10am to 12:30pm. Cost is $8 per child. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential. 
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/fort-lytton/pdf/fort-lytton-raiders-of-the-lost-fort-flyer.pdf

BRISBANE RIVERFIRE

RiverFire is on the 29th, which is within the school holiday period. A fantastic holiday idea.
http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/events/view/sunsuper-riverfire

 

 

         SANTOS GLNG CITY OF LIGHTS

8 - 28 September:
Santos GLNG City of Lights is back to illuminate Brisbane in a new light, laser and special effects show presented nightly over the three weeks of the Festival. See it at Southbank.

http://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/events/view/santos-glng-city-of-lights

The School Holiday Directory has some great ideas for various activities. http://www.schoolholidaydirectory.com.au/

 

FUN AT ROMA STREET PARKLANDS
During the September/October school holidays, the Parkland Explorer will be operating every day (subject to weather) and children will be able to collect FREE activity sheets from the Parkland’s Visitor Information Booth in the Spectacle Garden, close to the children’s playground. Families can bring a picnic, use the Parkland’s many barbecue facilities or visit the Melange café on site.The Parkland has large lawn areas, interesting gardens and artworks which families are encouraged to explore and experience.
FREE activity sheets, FREE use of BBQs, Gold coin train rides, Train runs between 10am & 3pm.  

Catch and Release Fishing Day on Saturday 6 October. Date:21 Sep 2012 - 7 Oct 2012    
Time:Please see details    
Location:Roma Street Parkland, 1 Parkland Blvd, 
Ages:All Ages / Family     
Cost:FREE activites & BBQs
Gold coin train rides.  http://www.romastreetparkland.com/familyfun/Pages/holidayfun.aspx


SCHOOL HOLIDAY GOLF PROGRAMS:
Various locations and age groups.
http://www.mygolf.org.au/

RECOMMENDED SWIMMING CENTRES.

ALBANY CREEK LESIURE CENTRE: Albany Creek Leisure Centre Website

NEWMARKET POOL:  Newmarket Pool Website

SOUTHBANK PARKLANDS:  South Bank Activity Details on their website

SPLASH CHERMSIDE: Brisbane City Council Pools Website

SETTLEMENT COVE LAGOON:  REDCLIFFE  Moreton Bay Regional Council Pools Information

New autism definitions to exert potential knock-on effect on allied health

New autism definitions to exert potential knock-on effect on allied health.
Article taken from the Nursing Careers Allied Health Website.

www. ncah.com.au Date of Posting: 14-09-2012


The role of audiologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists and other allied health professionals engaged in providing services to autistic children could be under threat following changes to the diagnostic criteria for the condition. Following the release of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is used to guide psychiatrists worldwide, a new test could see many children, who might previously have been diagnosed with autism, now classified under a new diagnostic category known as "Social Communication Disorder".

Under current arrangements the new definition would not qualify children for support under a federal government package introduced in 2008.

Leading not-for-profit, autism-specific service provider Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has conducted research that revealed DSM-5’s implications for autistic children and their professional carers.
Aspect's study, the first of its kind to be done in Australia, compared how 132 Australian children diagnosed with autism would have fared had they been assessed under the DSM-5 definitions.

The results showed 23.5 per cent failed to meet the new criteria, which will require children to exhibit at least five out of a possible seven symptoms, instead of three as at present.

Aspect believes the findings could impact funding, which, since 2008, has been available to the tune of around $12,000 for families, over at least two years, to help provide speech therapy and other treatments for children diagnosed before the age of six.

Other elements of the scheme allow autistic children to receive Medicare-funded treatment from audiologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech pathologists and others, provided a treatment plan has been drawn up by the time the child is 13.

A number of independent studies conducted in the US have found fewer children would qualify for an autism diagnosis under the new criteria, in contrast to field work done by the American Psychiatric Association which predicted no such outcome.

It is understood the new definitions are likely to come into effect internationally shortly after the DSM-5 is published in May 2013.

http://www.ncah.com.au/news-events/new-autism-definitions-to-exert-potential-knock-on-effect-on-allied-health/1415/

Australian researchers develop genetic test that may allow early treatment of autism.....

Australian researchers develop genetic test that may allow early treatment of autism......

 

 

 



http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/australian-researchers-develop-genetic-test-that-may-allow-early-treatment-of-autism/story-e6frf7kx-1226472991352

DisabiliTEA 2012 - Supporting NDIS

DisabiliTEA 2012 - Supporting the NDIS - Every Australian Counts

 

Organise a gathering of friends, family and supporters for DisabiliTEA 2012. A morning get together and chat in support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Friday, October 26th  2012

...from NDIS Webpage.

We’re getting ready for DisabiliTEA 2012 where people come together, have a cuppa and support the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Register to host your DisabliTEA using the form below and receive an exclusive recipe from Julia Taylor from Masterchef!
Julia and her sister Katie are helping us spread the word so we can make this year’s event bigger than ever.
By taking part you will show our politicians that we need them to lock in the NDIS.
When you register, we’ll email you the recipe. You’ll also receive a supporter pack in the post with invites, posters and other materials to help you organise your DisabiliTEA.
See you on October 26!

http://everyaustraliancounts.com.au/home/

SOME EXCITING NEW WEBPAGES TO CHECK OUT ON AUTISM AND ASPERGERS

SOME EXCITING NEW WEBPAGES TO CHECK OUT ON AUTISM AND ASPERGERS.....

 

 

I came across three really impressive web pages tonight.

 

The first is a personal favourite and a topic close to my heart.  A recent ABC report on funding cutting and the lack of support for Australian children on the Autistic Spectrum. With up and coming government cuts.... who better to answer the questions of ramifications for ASD children being forced into mainstream schooling with no support..... than Professor Tony Attwood.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-23/autism-expert-warns-against-cutting-education/4219330

 

The second was a bit of a surprise. The new site launched by Education Queensland on ASD. It's quite informative too!

http://education.qld.gov.au/asd-online-resource-kit/

 

The following article appears in this months' Woman's Weekly. My son's Teacher Aide told me about it. A Sydney Mum and author of a new book, discusses her son's journey and life with Autism. With numbers of children affected climbing every day.... I'm happy to see this article featured!

http://aww.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8522914

 

The final is a link to the ABC and its Production, FOUR CORNERS.

It features a story highlighting the possible link between Autism and a Bacteria found in the Gut.

This again is a very interesting report. I first learnt of this "Gut Bacteria" back in January from a Canadian Neuroscience Report.  After a lot of research, I decided then to try my son on a tonic, which has been around for hundreds of years.....colloid silver. It is a type of natural antibiotic, which can kill any harmful bacteria within our bodies. 

Does it work.....?

Well, "Yes".... I feel with him, it has been a great boost to his immune system.  However it will not stop your child from getting sick. But yes... it has been, I believe, responsible for getting him off the "antibiotic" cycle, when he did get become unwell.

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/08/23/3574441.htm

 

 Check out the above links and do not hesitate to post comments.

I would really like to read some opinions.

 

 

 

 

 

Autism Awareness - What Are You Doing? DVD

What are you doing? film - available in schools now!

 

 

 

Autism Awareness have announced that national distribution of their short documentary film ‘What are you doing?’ has begun. The film, which has been created by Autism Awareness Australia, aims to teach school aged children about acceptance and understanding of their peers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

 

(The following information has been taken directly from the Autism Awareness Webpage....)

http://www.autismawareness.com.au/

 

"With the support of the Australian Government “What are you doing?”, along with accompanying teaching materials, has been distributed to every school in Australia, totaling over 10,000 copies nationwide. All primary, secondary, state and independent schools have received a copy.
Narrated by television personality Tom Gleisner and written by
‘The Other Country’ author Michael Whelan, the film includes enlightening interviews with the brothers, sisters, cousins, and friends of children on the spectrum. Through beautiful imagery, engaging narrative, and quirky animation, ‘What are you doing?’ sends the all important message of inclusion and understanding of all those with ASD by their peers and within their communities. It has received glowing reviews at its three premieres in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and has enormous support from parents and educators across the country.
Contact your local school, let them know how important the film is to your school community and encourage them to show it as widely as possible. More awareness simply means children on the spectrum will be better understood.
Whilst the film was made for children, we suspect a few adults within the school system will learn something from it as well!
The film will be available for sale to the general public next month.
Visit the official film website www.whatareyoudoingfilm.com to see a preview of the film!"

 



"If you see..." - SINGLE MOTHER'S WHO HAVE AUTISTIC CHILDREN.

THE FOLLOWING WAS POSTED ON THE SINGLE MOTHERS WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH AUTISM FACEBOOK PAGE.

If you see me at the supermarket,
and my child is screaming,
rolling on the floor
with anger seeping from his pores.
please don't blame me,
I was like you once,

If you are in a restuarant
and my child throws food and it
hits you in the face,
... please, don't be angry,
I can't handle any more rage.

If you see my child climbing over
a very tall fence with nothing on
except his hat.
Please don't call the police,
I only looked away for a minute.

If you see me crying,
as you pull up next to me
at a stop light,
at a busy intersection.
Honk and smile, I need a friend.

If you see me, running down the street
with curlers in my hair
chasing a small child
who runs so fast, I can't catch him
Help me chase him down.

If my child grabs your child,
or pushes him or bites or kicks him,
or says words that make your hair curl.
Please forgive him,
and me too.

If you happen to see us, walking
in your neighbourhood,
or in the malls, or at the park
Please don't turn away,
I was like you once.

copyright 1999
- Sally Meyer



'Understanding My Friends With Autism'

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID9tB0fyG7U

An introduction to a new and unique program for siblings and peers of children with autism. 'Understanding My Friends With Autism' is a program designed for children ages 5--10, to help them understand why children with autism act the way they do.​​​​​The program is driven by a video made by a young girl called Charlene who has autism. She explains why children with autism like her frequently stim, have meltdowns, walk away from others for no apparent reason or find it hard to have a conversation with others. At specified times, there is a break in the video where the participants can perform simulation exercises to help them experience first hand how annoying sensory issues can be.

​Topics covered:
Communication
Social difficulties
Sensory issues: - Sight, Touch, Hearing, Smell
The need for routine
For more information visit www.autismatlas.com

MYCAUSE PAGE STARTED FOR MY SON...... LIFT UP LACHIE

MYCAUSE PAGE STARTED FOR MY SON...... LIFT UP LACHIE

    http://www.mycause.com.au/LiftUpLachie

I think many families will start to head in this direction.

It is getting that difficult to fund therapy and resources once your child is "deemed" as not eligible for funding due to their age (Helping Children With Autism Package).

This was a massive decision for me as I have always found a way to fund

everything on my own for both of my children..... but

sometimes you have to swallow your pride, take a deep breathe and just try something different.

If anyone would like to know how to do a similar project for their child or would like to ask me anything about the "MyCause" web page, please feel free to email and I will be more than happy to help.

The Faraway Seed: Children Book About Diversity and Change

The Faraway Seed: Children Book About Diversity and Change

A forest stood tall and proud, all its trees the same. One day a bird dropped a new seed in the forest and a different tree grew. Will the forest accept the new tree? With the theme being multiculturalism, acceptance and celebration of difference, this is the story of a little seed's journey to acceptance against all obstacles laid out by the forest, eventually making the forest not so 'perfect' but very, very beautiful with its diversity and loveliness.

Publisher: JoJo Publishing

ISBN: 0980556406

When those with Autism and Aspergers have  

freedom to believe.

We all have the desire to say....

“what if ?”

and every tomorrow has two handles. 

We can take hold of it with the handle of fear

 or the handle of faith. 

I came across the following clip today. 

I was so hesitant to share this story.

But that would be holding onto a handle of fear.

So I say.... 

Watch the clip....

Follow your heart, your instincts and contemplate 

without judgement....

What If?....

http://video.couriermail.com.au/2223021475/Aspergers-cured

My adored friend and "lamp post" once said; 

"I have just opened the door.... the choice is yours to walk through it!"

Everyone has the Freedom to Believe......

Premier Campbell Newman: willing to forgo the federal funding it currently received to assist people with disabilities.

Today my sister and I discussed what in the blazes we were going to do after being told by Disability Queensland that THEIR funding to help it's clients had been cut, so 

therefore despite the fact that my son had been deemed ELIGIBLE..... there was

no therapy or anything else to be eligible for. 

SO I started thinking..... was this a STATE or FEDERAL decision to cut Disability support to Qld?

Then I found this article.... and believe me.... I am still searching for MORE EVIDENCE!
(Just scroll to highlighted area!)

Why do I suddenly have that song...

"The Devil Went down to Georgia..." in my head?

Newman urges competition between states

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8450100/coag-likely-to-be-acrimonious-newman

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman wants the states to compete for business and investment by cutting federal regulation.

The newest premier, Campbell Newman, wants a new way of doing things in the Council of Australian Governments - and he says the commonwealth should get out of the states' way.

On his first trip to Canberra as Queensland premier, Mr Newman said it was a bit rich for Prime Minister Julia Gillard to talk about cutting regulation.

"They seem to measure their progress by how much regulation, how much red tape, how much bureaucracy they bring in," he told journalists in Canberra, pointing to a big pile of paper that made up the carbon tax legislation.

"We're going to cut 18,000 pages of regulation and legislation in the next six years.

"The current COAG agenda and the way it's been working, positively discourages you from doing that."

Mr Newman said the new Queensland position was one of competitive federalism.

This would create healthy competition between the states and encourage business and economic investment, he said.

He rejected suggestions that widening the gap between regulatory systems in different states would actually make it more expensive for businesses to operate across borders.

"We're all for a harmonised approach to various forms of regulation ... but we're also for individual states being able to stand up and deciding that they want to out-compete other states," he said.

As for cutting "green tape", Mr Newman believed discussions in the pre-COAG business forum on Thursday did not go far enough.

"The federal government, frankly, need to delegate the powers of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act to the states," he said.

He complained that the federal government kept "coming over the top" of the Queensland government to delay major resource and tourism projects.

On the national disability insurance scheme, also on the COAG agenda, Mr Newman said Queensland would not be kicking in any of its own money.

"Queensland is in no position to provide funding towards the NDIS," he said.

"Basically what we would see is the federal government should pay for the entire scheme."

But he believes the scheme is important and said Queensland would be willing to forgo the federal funding it currently received to assist people with disabilities.

Mr Newman's government is taking legal advice on whether it can fight the carbon tax as unconstitutional.  
(Hmmm how is he going to pay for that when he can't afford to contribute to NDIS ?)

He expects to get that in the next few weeks and said he had spoken to at least one other premier about possibly joining together in a High Court challenge.

He also invited Ms Gillard to talk to him about the federal mining tax, which comes into effect in July.

He wanted any super profits generated in Queensland to return to the state.

"If there's a mining project in Queensland that's paying this tax and a dollar of tax is paid, a dollar has got to come back to Queensland ... to infrastructure across the state," he said.

The COAG meeting, at which Ms Gillard will be outnumbered by conservative premiers for the first time, begins on Friday morning.