... of the aims and designs of this school in Mentor, Ohio. I especially appreciate the fire alarm system! Why don't all schools have these?
Showing posts with label Autism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Autism. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Monday, October 18, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Incredible Blog
NPR recently highlighted the life and times of Lisa Daxer a 27 year old student at Wright University. She is an up and coming scientific scholar who lives with autism. I had not personally seen this story, but am grateful a friend at work thought to pass it along to me. In the article was a link to Lisa's blog entitled "Reports from a Resident Alien." I perused the articles by topic title along the left side of her page intrigued by the insights she had to share and drawn in by her straight-forward style. Her posting entitled Safe Place was of especial interest to me as it confirmed some professional decisions I had been questioning. I really feel confirmed in my current stance now that I read this article. I strongly encourage educators and non-educators alike to check out Lisa's blog. Humans are meant to learn from one another. The plain life-lessons I gleaned from Lisa Daxer's life observations will stay with me for a long while to come. Hope you find some inspiration, too.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Lego Therapy
I was fascinated by the way this group is an excellent case in point as to the power of play in any child's life. I would like to look into starting a small group similar to this during recess for some of my students who also have struggles in this area.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Awesome Resource for Families with ASD
KKI IAN :: Interactive Autism Network - Linking the Autism Community and Researchers
A friend of mine recently found out her daughter has autism. Knowing I am an Intervention Specialist, she asked me what resources I might be able to hook her up with so that she can begin the self-education process. The first website I referred her to is www.ianproject.org. Operating under the umbrella of Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Ian Project is an astounding community of parents and researchers who are joining together to discover breakthroughs in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder. This vast resource database is easily and readily accessible. There are a variety of different research studies and support groups families can choose to participate in. If you or someone you know is affected by autism, then I urge you to please share this fabulous resource with them. Step up and choose to be a part of the research that is making the future better and brighter for families with ASD.
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