Sounds very promising! I hope all goes well and keep us posted!
And sending you big wishes for finding a babysittier!
Good luck!
Wishing you lots of success!That sounds great. Wonderful that you're taking action. I agree that there is strength in numbers. I hope you see some results.That's great- we moms need to stick together!That sounds great! I know Tzoya has mentioned a Special Ed PTA in her district, and I've always thought that sounded like a great idea. Wish we had that here. Good luck with everything.Glad you got to go!!
Sounds like your community is really trying to pull together and fight autism...that's so great! Keep us updated on how things progress.
Our 1st meeting was last night. The women who put it together did a great job. Senator Maloney and Representative Joyce were bot there. We talked alot about poor insurance coverage and children with special needs being sent out of the area because our area can't handle the amount of special needs children. Some kids are getting on the bus before 6 a.m.
The senator and rep gave us some tips and clues to how to get the ball rolling on some stuff. The rep said he finds the amount of autism in our area alarming and has already taken a few step toward seeking out environmental causes or triggers.
The state rep really wants to get a school built in our district that focuses on special needs children although it wouldn't be solely for special ed. There is already an outline put together and he wants us to figure out what our dream school would be and we'll work from there. Also, he wants it to be for our district only. If someone from out of district wants to attend, they'll have a tuition option. Interesting.
I am very excited. A group of people in my area have started a special ed advocacy group. We are going to start meeting on a monthly basis. We are having our first meeting tomorrow and our State Representative for our district is going to attend. He sits on the elementary school committe. They are a little disorganized and they just firmed the meeting up yesterday so I hope people are able to attend on short notice. We're going to meet at a local park district. There are a couple of moms that started this and they have done alot of work
We are stronger in numbers and if we wish to see changes in the school system, the way insurance covers our special need kids etc. we need to get together.
This all started because of some drama at the public pre-school Anthony attends. The principal fired the autism teacher from the only self contained room at the school. The parents LOVED this teacher. I never met her as Anthony was not in the self contained room. The parents talked to the principal and she refused to reinstate her stating they had different ideas about teaching (something to that effect - I can't remember the exact words). The parents are furious and started talking to each other and emailed all parents from the school which led to the formation of the advocacy group.
The main problem with the school he attends is that they are play based learning. Anthony is there for 2 1/2 hours a day and well over an hour of that is free or choice time. Oh yeah, free/choice time is great for a child with autism LOL. So, basically the whole philosophy of the school is in direct contrast with the needs of most children with autism. Our kiddos need structure.
Although, other services there are fabulous. ST, OT & PT are really good. Social work - not so good.
So, anyway I'm pumped about meeting our rep and the other parents. Although, I still don't have babysitting firmed up YIKES. Keep your fingers crossed that my MIL pulls through for me.