OCALI conference...
                              Here... 
                                        I.....
                                            Come!!!


Just 4 more weeks until I will be attending one of the best conferences on Autism in the state if not the region! I am so excited (can you tell?). This school year has been filled with new joys and challenges which have left me happily invigorated (as opposed to whooped like I felt last year). It could have a little something to do with the beautiful piece of jewelry resting on my left ring finger (got engaged last July!)... but I think it also has a lot to do with the trials I overcame last school year. 


What is that saying? What doesn't kill me, will make me stronger? Well, stronger I truly feel I have become. 


The opportunity to go to this 3-day conference is an absolute gift that cannot come at a better time. I have a little buddy who is exhibiting many characteristics of an autism spectrum basis. We have been helping him meet success in many areas despite his many sensory-based issues, but his playground social skills have been baffling me. 


I have thought of starting a lego group some days of the week during recess, but I want more ideas for helping him achieve success doing what he loves most on the playground... playing kickball! The game rules are (understandably) very black and white to his perception. He tends to want to control the game and melts down whenever he does not agree with a rule call. 


Hopefully, OCALI will hook me up with some strong social skills training resources that I can bring back to the classroom setting ASAP.


I was looking at the roster today and I am stoked! There are presenters from every aspect of the educational field ... parents, professors, veteran teachers, researchers, and people who live with Autism every day. What amazing perspective I am going to gain from this opportunity! And my students will reap the benefits. =)


I chose to upload the picture below because it reminded me of my students. These flowers were closed and full of potential when they were initially arranged in the vase together. Now that they are in full bloom, each color has intensified, the fragrance grown sweeter, and the beauty far surpasses what I had hoped this season's last batch of roses would do. My students, too, have amazing gifts and qualities yet waiting to be fully tapped, but when they do their homes, communities, and the world at large are going to benefit big time. 


I firmly believe in the excellence of all my students. And I want to keep educating myself in order to better serve these brilliant stars of the our future.