Behavior Challenge Thread

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Here is text from my complaint. Do you think this is sufficient?:

What is the alleged violation?
District failed to identify student as a child with a disability and failed to provide FAPE pursuant to IDEA 300.8(a)(1)

What are the facts on which the allegation is based?
Student diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Developmental Coordination Disorder, school was notified of student's disabilities and school denied all Special Education services and furthermore denied 504 Modifications. Student is now refusing school and has suffered emotionally due to school and district's lack of identification.

What documents supporting the facts should be reviewed:
Diagnosis and Special Education Recommendations by University of Texas Health Science Center, FIE by NBISD, ARD Review and Dismissal Report, Addendum to ARD, Rebuttal to Addendum to ARD written by parent, students Educational File

Please describe your proposal for resolution of the allegation or to the problem:
Student receive accommodations according to recommendations by UTHSC, anxiety levels of student be assessed and addressed through counseling and possibly a smaller classroom, a Behavior Modification Plan be implemented to address school refusal, a proactive communication regarding student take place with all teachers that interact with student regarding students disabilities

Do you think this encompasses it all? Do you think this is sufficient? I really don't want to go to Due Process because without a lawyer practically everyone loses but at this point I guess I have to do what I have to do.

 

[bookwormde]

GraceLuvsWDW,

For school staff the biggest benefit to becoming educated about Aspergers is that once the understand the “details” being able to read anxiety triggers an cues comes quickly (to those who want to figure it out). And as you say it takes taking the time to figure it out.

There is hope of reversing it, and it is miraculous how fast it happens once our kids are in a supportive environment. For what our kids go through it is amazing how resilient they are.

Over the weekend I will try to go back over some the things I posted for you and cross-reference them to my letters of concerns to the Fed DEO ESOP. The numbing changes a couple of years ago so I had to update my record to file the letters.

What you have so far is good.

What really gets them to take notice is when you indicate that you may just go ahead and file a complaint in federal district court yourself (they count on it being so expensive that no one will do it but now that parents can represent their children, they are rethinking that logic).

There is also a process to request federal interpretations from Fed DOE if after the first step you feel that they basically ignored the IDEA regulations.

bookwormde

 

[Goofygirl17]

I haven't posted to this board before but I really felt like I needed to add to the advice you're getting. My DD10 has anxiety and panic disorder along with SPD. She is extremely tactile defensive.

We had a huge battle with our school system when DD went to 4th grade last year. They were breaking the law and not accepting her anxiety etc. Of course the overwhelming anxiety made the sensory issues go through the roof. DD was wearing shorts and crocs in the end of november because she couldn't stand anything else.

Fast forward- I filed a complaint with the federal office of civil rights, had an eval... then finally gave up and hired an advocate.

Do you have evals with specific recommendations for how your daughter's program should look and exactly what should be done when she is getting anxious? If so I would include that in the complaint- that they were provided with specific recommendations and refused to implement them.

What were the reasons why they refused to identify her and give her a 504 or IEP? I ended up insisting on an IEP instead of a 504 because it is much more enforceable.

We scheduled a meeting with the superintendent of schools because meeting with the director of special education didn't help. We made it clear that we would be hiring an attorney if things didn't straighten out.


I think the main violation of her civil rights is their refusal to provide her with a fape. When I talked to the lawyer at the office of civil rights that was his main thing.

I hope this works out quickly! The school is obligated to provide her with whatever program, classroom, supports she needs whether or not they are currently available in her school. They are also obligated to provide them in her home school.

 

[disneymom3]

It is so apparent to me that this is school related. The anxiety of school is causing tremendous anxiety in her and her body and mind are lashing back. I just don't know how to help her! Do I go to Psychiatrist for meds? Do I pull her out of this God forsaken school? Do I go higher up and demand a smaller class size or some school intervention? Who is higher up than the principal who simply replies to my concerns "yes, coming back to school after a break is hard on all the children (imagine the sarcastic tone)"

I just as a parent cannot knowingly cause this much anxiety in my dd. I have to intervene, whether it's putting her in another school or something.

Thanks for listening. I am very heartbroken tonight.

My heart is just breaking for you. It is so so frustrating that just to get our children what they NEED, parents have to go through all this nightmare. DS has SPD and very high anxiety. There is something else there as well that we have not figured out yet. That anxiety is SO hard because there is no rational response you can give to it to help them.

Big big hugs to you and your DD. I hope you are able to get someone to see your side very very soon. I hate it that some people in the educational system cannot see that this does permanent damage to our kids' outlook on the world and their opinion of themselves as acceptable, lovable and successful people.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I haven't posted to this board before but I really felt like I needed to add to the advice you're getting. My DD10 has anxiety and panic disorder along with SPD. She is extremely tactile defensive.

We had a huge battle with our school system when DD went to 4th grade last year. They were breaking the law and not accepting her anxiety etc. Of course the overwhelming anxiety made the sensory issues go through the roof. DD was wearing shorts and crocs in the end of november because she couldn't stand anything else.

Fast forward- I filed a complaint with the federal office of civil rights, had an eval... then finally gave up and hired an advocate.

Do you have evals with specific recommendations for how your daughter's program should look and exactly what should be done when she is getting anxious? If so I would include that in the complaint- that they were provided with specific recommendations and refused to implement them.

What were the reasons why they refused to identify her and give her a 504 or IEP? I ended up insisting on an IEP instead of a 504 because it is much more enforceable.

We scheduled a meeting with the superintendent of schools because meeting with the director of special education didn't help. We made it clear that we would be hiring an attorney if things didn't straighten out.


I think the main violation of her civil rights is their refusal to provide her with a fape. When I talked to the lawyer at the office of civil rights that was his main thing.

I hope this works out quickly! The school is obligated to provide her with whatever program, classroom, supports she needs whether or not they are currently available in her school. They are also obligated to provide them in her home school.

Thank you. Your notes are very helpful.

I haven't pursued the complaint with OCR because on their website I cannot find anything that has been violated. It seems OCR is intent on preventing lack of access to programs by people with diabilities but there is not much content regarding failure to recognize a disability or failure to amend a program due to a disability. I need to figure something out so I may call them and check out what you referred to.

BTW, I made a TON of calls yesterday. I called everyone who even remotely MIGHT be able to help. Any Baby Can, Children's Advocacy, Communities In Schools, TEA, ARC of Austin, ARC of San Antonio, Rivercity Advocacy, UTHSC, Dr's, etc.

I am getting a ton of call backs today with people who are fired up to help my daughter and take on her cause! Hooray!!!!!!!!!

ARC of San Antonio is calling me back tomorrow after they make some calls and get the wheels in motion. They are a free advocacy/rights group for people with disabilities and they are eager to help! Hooray. I also called dd's Dev Pedi and she is eager to contact the school with her concerns over their treament and failure to implement an IEP! Hooray. Also, contacted UTHSC dept of Child Psychiatry and they are trying to get dd in for emergency appt. I told them my goal is to get letter to Dept of Sp Ed here in my district to complain about their failure to identify dd as a child with a disability. They seem eager to help any way they can.

Hopefully, with all these people stepping up to bat for dd we can all put enough pressure on the school. I have also completed the TEA request for Complaint Investigation and will be sending that to TEA and District and I am copying Superintendent of Schools. Hopefully that will wake someone up. I had a one hour conversation with very helpful woman at ARC of SA and she tells me I do not yet need to hire an atty. She thinks my case is so clear cut that I can win without ever going to Due Process.

Obviously, this is all the best feedback I have ever gotten and I am hopeful. I guess I had to get really MAD and make all the calls necessary to alert people to the wrong that this school and district are perpetrating.

On another note, the counselor continues to shadow dd throughout the day. At least for now, I am confident she is not in immediate harm.

Thanks everyone for the support that has been given to me, I could not have come this far without all of you and I know I have to stay strong and keep at this for the proper supports to be put in place!

THANK YOU!!!!!

 

[saveaquarter]

That will be hard since the principal told me that she has lots of experience in Asperger's and that she knows it cannot be detected nor diagnosed prior to 7-8 years old. I wanted to ask her if she meant ALZHEIMERS?!?!?!

Yes, that's right. She said THAT.

This is, honestly, the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life. Spectrum disorders don't have a set age limit for diagnosis. My stepson has been in therapy since he could sit up on his own, and his doctors suspected autism at a year, his "pre-diagnosis" came at two, and the official at three. Less severe cases may not become apparent until the child is older, but that certainly doesn't mean it CANNOT be detected in ANY child. I also think that early intervention is key in helping children improve, and that was certainly the case for my stepson.

Sounds like that principal needs a reeducation in certain areas. You're definitely in the right filing that complaint, and it sounds very well worded to me. I truly hope your daughter gets the help she needs, there is no reason she should be suffering so much. And you're a wonderful mom for not settling and continuing to fight for her.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I'm so glad you're getting some support now. The principal is absolutely ridiculous to say there is an age limit to aspergers. Lots of kids are just identified PDD-NOS for a while but that doesn't mean everyone should be. Obviously school is not working the way it is set up and they have a responsibility to fix it for her.

Go gettem' !!

Also, if it helps- my daughter went from being in major crisis mode last year (really a child I had never seen before) to being back in all her classes and happy this year. She still has anxiety/panic and sensory issues but she's doing amazingly well. It's not the same situation but getting the right support and making kids feel safe and comfortable can make a major difference!!

 

[Kat77]

Ahh! The anxiety is in the air. My son rejoined the Aspie Stress Club. Had to pick up DS9 early yesterday and today he did not make it to 9AM - DH is picking him up right now.

 

[koolaidmoms]

Is this an after vacation thing?

I volunteered in DS's classroom (like I always do) and I noticed him having a horrible time. He was stimming and I have never really noticed it to the level I did at school yesterday. I asked his teacher about it and she said it had been particularly bad the last few days but yesterday was the worse she had seen. She thought it was because I was in the room.

Then he went on to a whole "I hate myself. I want to punch myself" rant in front of the class. DS's teacher said this is only the second time he has done that and again blamed me being there.

Just curious. Trying to figure what is going on with DS and thinking maybe I shouldn't go into the classroom.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

koolaidmoms, they have told me not to come into the classroom too because it is too disruptive for dd which really peeves me but I think if I did go in she would cling and BEG to leave.

Just received a call from advocate. She stated there are "new" 504 laws that they are breaking at the very least. She is going to sit down with me on Monday and we are going to go straight to School District counsel. She said that will make the change the quickest. I will find out more on Monday about the game plan.

The Dev Pedi wants to start Lexapro. You guys know I am adverse to pharmaceutical intervention but I told them if they think it would mke a huge difference in the Anxiety I would try it. It really makes me MAD that with some proactive addressing to the problems or a plan at the school to address the anxiety perhaps meds would not be indicated.

I have developed a plan:

#1 plan is to keep her in public and get supports and 504/IEP in place and work on anxiety

#2 (if #1 doesn't work) Is to move her to Private

#3 (if #2 doesn't work) Is to try the meds

Today dd cried and wouldn't get in the car to go to school. She stated she was afraid because the 5th grade "buddies" come into the class today. That and the spelling Bee is today (she is excused from participating).

Not a good way to start the day! I pray for a day when this has passed. But I am so thankful for the help I am getting! And I am also thankful that she is trying to communcate what is "wrong" with school, I've spent so much time in the dark trying to figure out what's wrong-seems to be a combo of lots of things relating to sensory and social phobia/sensitivity.

Also thanks to all of you!

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Hello All!

Well, the advocate who was hot to help me discovered I'm not "in her district" and referred me to one who is. This one is a lot less eager. The dev Pedi referrd me to two private pay advocates so I may go down that route next.

Guess what? On Friday the school counselor introduced dd to her "Pony Pass". This is a pass she keeps on her that she can show to anyone that gives her a pass to go directly to the counselor. Guess What? DD used it on Friday and her teacher told her to "go sit down" that she couldn't use it right them. I cannot tell you what that did to squash the hopefulness in dd that PERHAPS the school was trying to help. Two Steps forward ONE GIANT STEP BACK!!!


Anyway, this weekend I started reading Healing the New Childhood Epidemics. I know this board is not exactly pro Bio Med Approach and I've never been the granola type but I'm telling you...this book has some stats that will knock you down! And also some very intriguing assumptions. I am halfway through and to the part that describes the dietary restrictions. Now I find it hard to get my dd to eat food, much less GFCF, I think that would be an impossibility. But reading the book has done a few things: It has made me realize in the grand scheme of ASDs my daughter does very, very well. Also, at one point in the book they talked about the amygdala. I know the Amygdala Theory is widely shot down in the Autism Community but something about the described amygdala deficits rang true for my daughter.

This got me thinking.... All of her fear based reactions...school, social situations, going to the store, pretty much anything but the deeply trenched experiences such as family and home... what if that is an amygdala problem that can be fixed????? What if in many Autistic kids it's not just due to an amygdala overactivity or whatever, but in SOME that could be a major part of it???

Time to hit the medical reference section of the library.

BTW, Friday is the date of the dental procedure. I had a nightmare about it last night. Still not sure if risking general anethesia is worth it.

Hope all is well with everyone.

 

[Kat77]

Guess what? On Friday the school counselor introduced dd to her "Pony Pass". This is a pass she keeps on her that she can show to anyone that gives her a pass to go directly to the counselor. Guess What? DD used it on Friday and her teacher told her to "go sit down" that she couldn't use it right them. I cannot tell you what that did to squash the hopefulness in dd that PERHAPS the school was trying to help. Two Steps forward ONE GIANT STEP BACK!!!

BTDT, so very frustrating! Some teachers just don't get it (and many do not seem to want to). I would ask the counselor to speak with the teacher regarding the issue. Remember the saying, you attract more flies with honey- so choose your words wisely for the counselor and make it sound like her idea was awesome (best ever! She's a hero!) but you're afraid of the potential damage the teacher has done (obviously, unknowingly?! Never diss the teachers. Always try to sound neutral... schools will defend their own first) for it to work if it is used with no consistancy/denied when needed. I know this sounds absurd when you really just want to rip off someones head and cram some brain cells into the empty hollow.

But reading the book has done a few things: It has made me realize in the grand scheme of ASDs my daughter does very, very well. Also, at one point in the book they talked about the amygdala. I know the Amygdala Theory is widely shot down in the Autism Community but something about the described amygdala deficits rang true for my daughter.
This got me thinking.... All of her fear based reactions...school, social situations, going to the store, pretty much anything but the deeply trenched experiences such as family and home... what if that is an amygdala problem that can be fixed????? What if in many Autistic kids it's not just due to an amygdala overactivity or whatever, but in SOME that could be a major part of it???

There are so many things that are unknown, new knowledge is wonderful, and hope never a bad thing... just be sure to tread with care.
It never hurts to try things that otherwise do no harm such as CF/GF diets. I juggle that thought on occasion but have never taken the leap.
The Amygdala Theory is interesting but I'm not seeing an actual treatment programs anywhere. It looks like anything offered would be pioneer work, if you've found something.
IMHO, medications are probably a much safer alternative if you're looking at medical interventions. My little guy is fluctating right now, possibly even had the meds crap out, but we saw wonderous things when the meds were working well.
I personally think you were right on target to insist on school modifications and interventions first, then work from there. Hang in there.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I have so many things on my mind tonight and I tend to come here to vent because I know you guys (who I strangely don't really know) understand and can empathize with these things. I am feeling a bit down tonight. I've had a weight on me since the horrible dental visit. There's just something about seeing your child, the one who you feel sometimes that only you understand, seeing them restrained in a child "friendly" straight jacket and strapped to a board. The mama bear comes roaring out and then there's just a weight on your chest that you can't seem to kick.
Then tonight a girl comes up to dd in girl scouts. She's a sassy, dense, lips pursed kind of girl with a type a mom. She tells dd that her birthday party is on Saturday but her mom told her she can't invite dd because she won't play games and will be too clingy to me. It wasn't even a one sentence statement but she elaborated and pressed the subject matter of factly and rudely. Luckily, it was lost on dd, she didn't understand. Perhaps she was too anxious about the girl approaching her. Anyway, this is just a minor thing but it hurt me. Now I have to analyze why I'M hurt. Why do I put my dd in a group of catty 5-7 year old Hannah Montana, iCarly loving girls and expect my dd to fit in? Is this my need?
You know, I thought about this and realized, my dd is so deep in her thoughts, so profound in her ideas, and so different in views. IMO she'll give so much more to every day of life than the mundane pop glittery fingernail girls that think more about what's on their ipod than the grid of a city, the constellations or even God. My dd doesn't fit into this stereotypical world and while that's sad for my NT views of popularity and social hierarchy, it perhaps good for her in the long run. I need to quit making her go to girl scouts and get her in the science club!
My dd doesn't fit into their mold. When asked at school who the oldest person in her family is, dd responded-God. Now when you think about it, that's a pretty profound answer yet in the mundane school setting it's an answer they think is wrong.
DD started social skills group. The first meeting was where the OT put dd with her NT daughter. She prompted the daughter to try to engage dd. The reports were that she was unresponsive or gave one word answers. She seemed interested in what the girl was doing but wouldn't jointly engage her. I feel like I'm caught in an in-between land. When you think of autistic you think rocking, moaning, off in another world. That is so not dd. She's lively, energetic, excited, volatile, and pensive. She didn't get what the rude girl in scouts meant, but perhaps it didn't interest her. My daughter knows all the chefs names on Food Network. That doesn't seem impressive and she really doesn't watch tv but when she does she wants to find out something. She wants to know how to do something. She has passion and drive and interest.
We went to the dev Pedi for a visit. Unfortunately or fortunately, however it seems, dd was in a bad spell. She took the toys in the basket and lined them up into rows of 10. The Dev Pedi tried to engage her, all dd said was "listen I can count by 10's to 100". She put dd on meds for the anxiety. Yes, back to the meds. But she said something very important that made up my mind. when I told her I didn't want to mess with dd's brain chemistry she said, sometimes you NEED to mess with the brain chemistry to make her better. She said kids with anxiety have been shown to have a greater risk of being an adult with anxiety and I needed to deal with the anxiety so she could learn to adapt better and not need to control. So she is now on a very small dose of anti anxiety meds. She's been hungry constantly since she started taking it, but maybe that's just a growth spurt. She's underweight now, she grew 3 inches and only gained 2 lbs.
The dental visit is Friday. I've gone over it and over it. I just need to get it done and have it over. I just need to not have dental worries on me as well. Get this done and no looking back. I have 2 friends that are dentists and know dd and they said to do it, that it would be beneficial in the long run and not dangerous in their opinion. I need be strong.
The school thing is still in the works, I have an attorney looking over all the docs for any injustices. How sad that it comes to this. But in a way I'm happy that dd's needs aren't so apparent. Things could be so much worse.

Hope all is well with everyone, sorry about the long post! It feels better just to vent in a safe place.

 

[C&G'sMama]

Grace

As always, vent away.

On DSs first day of kindergarten we "snuck" back over to school and saw him on the playground (he didn't see us). All the kids were playing together except DS. AT first it made us sad but then we looked at him. He was playing on something by himself and he had a huge smile on his face. It hit us, he was happy in spite of our expectations of what should make him happy.

Same for your DD. Put her in science club if you think she should would like that. That's why we put DS at the Chess Center.

Take Care

-A

PS
DS's latest obsessions are Greek Mythology and Treasure Island. Last night he had all his toys lined up on his bed with his Fisher Price pirate ship putting on the play of Treasure Island.

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Hey Kids! I've been checking in to see if anyone had posts but have been too busy to sit down and write lately. First, Grace, for you:

Grace, I work at the Disney Store. I want to tell you what I see: I see little 5-10 yr old girls who come in with Abercrombie bags and they look at me like I'm completely crazy when I say HI and wear a crown on my head. I think to myself, "Babydoll, you're gonna be a hot teenager and a really young unmarried mother if you're lucky. If you're not lucky, I see pole dancing and substance abuse in your jaded little future." Then I see the few girls who come in and walk straight up to me and say, "I love the crown on your head! You are a beautiful princess!" Those are the kids I love. They have love their hearts and magic in their lives and they will go places. They don't care what anyone thinks.

Grace, stop putting your kid in activities because you think it's what you are supposed to do. Make your own path. Find your own magic. You'd be surprised how many parents like yourself might be already in the places you and your DD need to be. And most importantly, PROTECT YOUR CHILD!!! Decent people, good people would never let their children do what that little girl did to your child. If the GS leader can't make a point of including and/or explaining WHY it's important to be nice to your DD, then what's the point?
Some of the nicest people I've ever met have been in places I didn't expect them, the barn being one of those places.

And the quote about God was amazing. Your daughter is a wonderful gift. Stop comparing her to the average. She is far above.

OK folks, so here's what's going on in my life:::

We own a farm about 30 minutes away from the place where we live. We have to live where my husband works. Our farm has been rented out for the last 8 years. My dream used to be to run my own horse farm, but I broke my leg in a nasty accident in 2006 and now I have little cartilage left in my ankle and I am essentially semi-crippled. Last week my surgeon told me that I needed another surgery and then I needed to not do anything remotely dangerous for ever and ever or I would be really crippled (like walking- really- that's what the doctor said- no walking!) I made up my mind to let the horses "go" and take up swimming, get the surgery, etc.

Two days after the doctor's visit, the people who rent the farm gave notice that they are moving. So the day after my scheduled surgery, I would need to go repaint the house, do repairs, and take care of the four retired horses we have at the farm. There is no way that I could do both things. It's an either/or proposition. I was really upset upon hearing this. I even had a big hissy fit and acted like a big baby.

But then I thought about what is important to me and my family. I prayed a little. I went to the gym and walked laps (against Dr's orders!). I came up with a plan. So here it is (Grace, pay attention, because this is how to walk off the deep end and not look back...).

I am applying to have my little farm house approved as a commercial kitchen. I am going to try to start a GF bakery. I have toyed with the idea of making a business from my passion (cooking has always been my thing!) but to do GF cooking, you need a dedicated kitchen and so I can't rent space in a large commercial kitchen. So I can solve it by opening up my own! It's easier to get approval in a rural area, and this way I can "go to work" at my farm and make my own schedule. I will sell my wares at the local Farmer's Markets and on line. I would like to do some custom baking, as well. There is no GF bakery in our state at all. Nada, zip, zero. I will try to do it with no start-up loans, either. It won't take much to meet the requirements for a commercial kitchen according to the law.

Also, since I need to do something with the land we own, I am going to start a meat goat herd. There is a big need for that here, too. We are already set up for livestock, so this is something my kids can do with me. I'd like to get some chickens and let my son do something with them. He loves chickens. I'd like to do more gardening, too.

Why do all of this? Because my kids don't fit in with other kids. They aren't city kids. They love nature, music, and animals (just not the ones I love-horses!). They need to learn business, sacrifice, and how the world really is. Frankly, if they go to year-round school here, I may home school, too. Maybe I need to give them a valid excuse to not participate in all the normal kid things, as well. There has been a lot of pressure to do "normal" things and it's is hard on my children and me.

Now, my bakery might not get zoning approval, so it's till just a plan. But the other stuff I can and will do. Is it going to be hard? Yep! Is it easier to just keep on doing what I am doing now? Yep! Will we have to cut back on the fun things in our life? Yep x 10! Will I have to quit the Disney Store? Sadly, yes.

So there it is: I have until 2/15 to get my ducks in a row and then it's time for me to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I wonder if God didn't listen to my original plan (rest, surgery, leisure, feeling sorry for myself) and then make it impossible to follow that path.

Suggestions, encouragement, and admonitions welcomed.

And know, all of you on here, that without you guys, I wouldn't have even thought of any of this. C&G's Mama, this is to replace the earlier idea I had. Economics and insurance dictate that I am in control of my own premise and so I decided that I could do more good in a business venture than a non-profit, for reasons we've already discussed.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I am going to try to start a GF bakery.

WOW! I would LOVE to do something like that! I wish I lived near you so I could help! GREAT idea!

I would SO jump off that deep end!

Keep us posted!

 

[KirstenB]

Grace, I know exactly how you feel when you say you just want that dental appt done! I tend to fixate on things like that, so I know what you mean. Treat both you and your dd to something special when it's over.

What a little s#@% that other girl was!! I don't know what the answer is. Our younger dd is the one with ASD. She's still too young for organized activities like Scouts, but I'll be wanting to mainstream her into typical girl activities too.

We have a science museum and Children's museum in Richmond. I often take the kids there. Does your city have something similar?

Good luck Friday, we're pulling for you!!

 

[disneymom3]

Guess what? On Friday the school counselor introduced dd to her "Pony Pass". This is a pass she keeps on her that she can show to anyone that gives her a pass to go directly to the counselor. Guess What? DD used it on Friday and her teacher told her to "go sit down" that she couldn't use it right them. I cannot tell you what that did to squash the hopefulness in dd that PERHAPS the school was trying to help. Two Steps forward ONE GIANT STEP BACK!!!

Oh my goodness. I can't even believe that. I am literally sitting here with my jaw hanging down. I am so sorry. How INCREDIBLY frustrating.

 

[C&G'sMama]

DDM - Good for you. Sounds like you have a plan. Leaps of faith are good. You mean you're not going to start a new business and 501(c)(3) at the same time while considering home schooling?

I am in awe.

I was thinking about all of this talk about our kids not fitting in. But for those of us that have at least one NT do they really "fit in" either? I know my DD doesn't. And I'm happy for that.

So we do our best to surround ourselves with other misfits and not worry about those that try so hard to be "normal".

 

[DisDreaminMom]

Well, good news: I talked to Planning and Zoning and the Health Dept and it's all fine for me to start a bakery. So now I've got a ton of stuff to do.

I did want to tell you that my sister bought a copy of "Freaks and Geeks: The Teenagers Guide to Aspergers" that is written by a British boy. I've read some of it and it's really great. For those of you with older kids, it's a really "relatable" way to get your kids talking about ASD. I think I'm going to let my daughter read it now.

Also, my DD told me that she's reading a teeny=bopper book series with her friends at school called "The Beacon Street Girls" and that one of the characters in the book has a sibling with ASD. My DD said it was a good way for her and her buddies to talk a little about her brother. She said, "They made the autistic sibling look interesting and cool but not scary."

SHould I start a new thread asking for input on the GF bakery, or will you all throw out your likes and dislikes on here? I want to do it with a fresh perspective.

And how cool it would be to have all of you local and helping me. But really, you already have. When I get to the point of being up and running and shipping stuff, who wants to be on the Test Panel? I need unbiased testers. I'm not kidding.