Currently Browsing: Family Dynamics
The Family Dynamic: Post Diagnosis
I realized that my boy had Autism but was astonished with the severity of the diagnosis. “Chris is self injurious. If he does not speak by age five, he will probably never talk. He is mentally retarded, has speech and language disorders, PICA and intestinal issues. If I were you I would consider institutionalization.”...
Once An Advocate, Always An Advocate
I am sitting by our window gazing at the passing cars. In just one hour I have spotted three bumpers with Autism Awareness stickers on them. I live in a pretty small town. There are at least a dozen children with Autism and 8 or 9 with Aspergers living within a few miles from us. Our friend has three...
Bullying – A Pervasive Problem
Posted by
Bill Davis in
Parenting on
08 13th, 2009 |
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I have done almost as much damage to your children as thimeresol. I have teased, targeted and attacked them. I have cornered them in the hallways, humiliated them in the classrooms and plotted against them online. I am the school bully.
I have advocated for many children with Autism who were under attack...
A Love Song
During a particularly difficult time for me at a personal level (I was working many long hours while attempting to care for my two young children then 4 and 5) I began to feel overwhelmed and out of touch with what was important. I know there are many of you in this position – managing work, obligations...
Improving language Skills with “Rapid Fire Improvisation”
I adapted Rapid Fire Improvisation from a method I learned in a speaker’s boot camp in the mid-1990s. The purpose of the boot camp was to improve skills as a public speaker. Our instructor would select an object or thing in the room and we would speak about the object as quickly as possible, saying...
Moving Up To The Next Grade
Posted by
Jene Aviram in
Parenting on
08 12th, 2009 |
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Good morning. No, this is not your class room anymore. I’m sorry but you’re not allowed to be here. Do you see that person over there surrounded by children you don’t know? She is your new teacher and those will be your new friends. Please go with them. That is where you belong. I...
Summer Camp – End The Stress!
Posted by
Jene Aviram in
Parenting on
08 12th, 2009 |
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Summer is here. Routines have changed. New programs begin. Teachers go on vacation and substitutes take their place. Different camp counselors, aides and paraprofessionals are assigned to our kids.
These people are wonderful. They want to help our kids and we couldn’t do without them. Unfortunately,...
The Guilt Factor
When a child is diagnosed with autism, parents develop a new vocabulary. Conversations contain words like ABA, receptive and expressive language, discrete trial training, eye contact, floor time and biomedical approaches. Parents share their joys, their fears, their strategies and their dreams. ...
Good Days and Bad Days: Seven Strategies to Cope
Posted by
Jene Aviram in
Parenting on
08 12th, 2009 |
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If you have a child with autism, then you know that life is NOT like a rollercoaster ride. It’s more like hanging upside down on a triple corkscrew that makes sudden and surprising stops in shark infested waters, beautiful rolling hills and bustling cities.
As a parent, a good day in the world of...
Autism’s Hidden Casualties: Typical Siblings
My daughter Jessica is a statistic. She is one of seven million “typical sibs” in America who have brothers or sisters with disabilities. Until recently I truly believed that I had provided a life of normalcy for my daughter, but I have come to realize that Jessica was isolated, fearful and guilty.
Jessica’s...