My daughter is 4 almost 5 and she has been in school with sp ed for 2 years and it seems that there is nothing else were we live to help us parents to learn info to help our children. Our public library has to books on Autism really 2. So we look on the computer and there is so much we dont know where to begin. And now they say they want to put her into a regular class room next year and i have many issues with that. Do any of you home school and if so how does that work. Please any info would help.
She has had OT PT for 2years now. She has a good school schedule. but trying to find things for us to do with her and for her are very difficult. as far as taking her into public settings that becomes very difficult she has what we call Chelsea moments and will begin to have self abusesive behavior. I feel so lost sometimes. I have 4 children all together and chelsea is my only child with autism but my son has very severe learning disabilities we think that there is something else there but doctors pretty much just closes the door on the idea of it. anyway thanks for your input
Shannon,
Does she have language? Have you had her in speech/OT/PT or ABA therapy..all these things can help her immensely and trying to engage her as much as you can. We have Sarah mainstreamed & she is doing fine but she had years of intense therapy.. Things you can do yourself to help her off the top of my head besides getting her ABA, speech and OT/PT:
1. Baby bumblebee videos-build volcabulary
2. Gotta go-vhs-potty musical
3. modelmekids dvd's- "time for school" made just for autistic kids very visual step by step guide to help teach what to expect at school
4. make flash cards of everything she likes, foods, people, places, toys and make schedules; cuts down on tantrums..
5. make poster-Today is ****tomorrow is***** and yesterday was****make velcro pieces of monday, tuesday, wednesday..ect..
6. get cheap kitchen timer and teach her limits-3/5/10 and get her used to transitions
7. sensory items: bounce house/trampoline/moon sand/playdough/silly putty/giant ball to bounce on/roll her up in blankets or lay her down in middle and have one person on each end and gently swing her, swing, shaving cream to put hands in-teach her to move them fast fast fast ..then slow slow..pointy finger to draw shapes, smiley faces ect... swimming if you can find indoor pool:) weighted vest if she hyper..calms..as well as epsom salts baths.
8. expose her to as much positive real world places that she can handle: petstore, library, bookstores-kid sections are nice, toysrus, grocery stores..get her introduced to : librarians, clerks, policeman, nurses.. (occupations)
9. get her used to holding a pencil and writing-mangnadoodles are wonderful...start with just straight lines, circles, figure 8's, over and over it really helps with writing letters later on.
10. Find a small playgroup where you can prompt her correct social skills..modelmekids dvd-Time for a playdate is excellent too:)
Write all your concerns and what you want for your daughter next year: either an aide, speech/ OT/PT, ABA/ visual aides/near teacher ect.. and hire a Educational specialist to go with you at her IEP meeting,,make sure you have all her evaluations (speech/OT/PT/ABBLS and recents medical tests you may have on her. One day at a time..don't let it overwhelm you..once she gets some help you will feel much better. Good luck to you:)
Blessings,
Shelley
Hi Shannon,
I'm a newbie here myself, but I do have an autism website that I built last year, which you may find helpful.
My son Sammy is doing so much better... he literally has been improving on a daily basis and is even bi-lingual now. This time of last year, I couldn't take him anywhere - inappropriate laughs, touching everything, running out of restaurants, etc. Last week, we went ice skating, which he loved and even to school Mardi Gras... moon bouncing and all!
He's in mainstream kindergarten and also is still in special ed at the same school, but I'm really hopeful that he'll be in all mainstream by 2nd or 3rd grade. He has become very verbal and is even bi-lingual now.
Let me know if you have any questions.