Teacher Selection

Upon successful completion of any school, graduation ceremonies are common. Parents, students, and teachers gather together to congratulate the graduating students. Happiness and feelings of warmth are evident. Why aren't celebrations like these a common practice for special education graduates? Could it have something to do with the teaching style that was utilized to teach them in school? Special education programs vary by counties, at least in California. School districts often make a good effort to hire a qualified teacher but, as we all should know, anything is possible. Even if teachers are qualified, do they have the heart to patiently deal with developmentally disabled students on a daily basis? I really think that psychological testing are necessary in order to find the appropriate teacher. Testing on anger management and patience as well as genuine interest for student's well being should become necessary in order to hire special education teachers. I am concerned about this matter because I have witnessed some very well qualified but lacking in love and patience type of personalities in special education teachers. Clearly, I felt that these individuals should not have been selected for the field of special education teaching. They most certainly seemed to forget one essential element of special education teaching, it is not done for the money but simply for the developmentally disabled students who are there to learn with love and care. 

Day Programs for Stress Relief

The enough misery stamps before a star bankrupt.


Parents are often discouraged by negativity around them. It is difficult to parent an autistic child, but it is more difficult to explain what autism is to the general public. As complicated as this process is, it is not a reason to leave this matter untreated. The public needs to know and comprehend that autism is alive and that autistic individuals can function in this world. Numerous "day programs" have sprung in the past ten years which offer assistance in teaching living and working skills to developmentally disabled individuals. Parents should consider enrolling their special person in one of these programs to see if it benefits at all. While the special individual is at the program, parents can attend to other necessities. Maybe it will be a perfect time to reignite romance in your relationship!


This "escape" time can serve as a stress relief and empower you to further parent your autistic child. Most programs teach individuals how to clean, wash dishes, pick up objects, and put away objects. They can also teach how to communicate properly with random people. These are valuable skills for anyone, not just for developmentally disabled individuals. These programs also have social outings and seem to be very fun to be involved in. So, please consider relieving some stress for better health for you and your loved ones by enrolling your special someone in one of the many "day programs".

Spread the Word

Encouragement for parents with autistic child/children seems to be scarce. The public does not seem to comprehend what autism is and how it affects all those involved. Teaching the public is a good thing and should be exercised regularly. I encourage parents to talk to others about autism. Tell them your struggles and let them know how strong you are. I truly believe that parents with developmentally disabled child/children are strong. Please help spread the word on autism.

Basic Signing

It is complicated to communicate with someone who is hard of hearing or unable to speak. It is far more complicated if someone is deaf and mute. I have worked with an individual who was both. On top of that he was severely autistic. Through sign language (even in its most basic form) communication was made possible. Since this individual did not receive therapies and such as a child, we resorted to using basic pointing techniques and communication was made possible. My point here is that it is possible to communicate with deaf and mute autistic individuals. One does not need to learn proper sign language (although it can really help) in order to communicate. 

Take Me Away

Caring for anyone with any disorder can prove to be quite exhausting. In addition to caring for the needs of your loved one, you have to live your life. That means paying bills, making appointments for yourself, keeping up with car maintenance, house maintenance, etc. Simply stated, the life of a caregiver is stressful. How many times have you wanted to quit? How many times have you thought that you were working for nothing? How many times have you wanted to give up? My earlier blogs emphasized the need for time away from your care's.  Taking time away from your care's will not make you a bad person, instead, it can strengthen you to care even more for your loved one.

Goal Driven

Every human has a clear need for goals. It drives us to do great things. What is one great thing an individual with autism can do? Well, an individual with autism can learn to communicate. Communication is not solely verbal, it can also be through signing. One does not need to learn proper signing methods in order to properly communicate, although learning American Sign Language will prove beneficial. Simply pointing to a chair signifies "sit" to anyone, not only an autistic individual. Communication can be one of many goals you can work on with your special someone. Other goals such as toileting, bathing, grooming are all possible with effort. Relentless effort.

Unique Sense

I have posted about sense's, as they relate to autism, before. The sensory experience seems to be unique for autistic individuals. I work with an individual who likes to dance! It almost seems like he has the music in him. He is deaf and mute but somehow he likes to dance. I do not completely comprehend it but I think it he learned this through viewing other people dance. How is this sensory? This is sensory because he dances when he feels grass underneath him. When he feels grass in parks, he starts dancing. He sense's the grass touching him and he seems to enjoy it. Please feed your autistic individuals sensory diet. 

Stressed or Relaxed

Another weekend is here. Time to live life a little! Go out with family and friends to have a picnic, swim, or whatever else. Wait, what about all those who have to work on weekends? What about families with autistic children? Are there similarities in moods of people who have to work weekends and families with autistic children? Do you think there are? I certainly think that both situations cause stress. This stress seems to increase a notch when a weekend worker see's others enjoying days off on weekends or when a family with autistic children observes families without autistic children. All these can be stressful but I also happen to think that as time progresses, so do human thinking. Eventually these types of stress should melt away as parents get accustomed to the autistic life. I know getting accustomed is hard but guess what, it is possible. To all those weekend workers out there, life will become easier after you get accustomed to your weekend work. Listen all families with autistic children and weekend workers, you are not alone. 

Differences

I have to complete an assignment which requires writing on ADHD and autism. ADHD is an acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. To simplify it, lack of attention span. Autism has components of ADHD within it but is far more higher up, in terms of developmental disability, than ADHD is. Please do not be discouraged. I have worked with both types of disorders and have found it easier to work with the autistic individuals. ADHD is really apparent in some children when they just can not pay attention to anything. It does not have to be "only at school" but can also be in their daily lives. There are medications available for ADHD and your doctor can provide more information regarding this. 

Despite Complexities

Life can be complex when dealing with autism on a constant basis. I have said it before and will say it again, I have respect for parents with autistic child/children. The simple family life many families are used to does not stand a chance when compared with an autistic family life. Basic necessities take on a whole other meaning when dealing with autism. Items such as toiletries and medications might take a huge chunk out of a families budget when autism is a concern. Despite all these complexity, a family dealing with autism can still love each other and enjoy life. Humans can adapt to situations and these families can learn to live with autism. It is not simple but it is possible. We can learn about autism and how to live with it through professionals, books, and movies.  As research on autism continues, I will encourage these families to keep pressing on. There is light at the end of the tunnel, whether you see it or not.

Spread the word

Knowing what autism is and not spreading the word about it is like watching someone in trouble and not willing to help! Yes, that is exactly what it is like. You might disagree with me but, please, take into consideration that someone out there might have the ability to research autism like it has never been researched before. Let us be respectful of researchers who are currently busy trying to find out more about autism but, let us not forget the future is yet to come. Please talk about autism and spread the knowledge you have about this disorder.

Catch a cold

I have witnessed that it is very complicated to help an individual with autism get over a cold or flu. Working with an autistic individual in order to help her/him get well from cold or flu takes alot out of the parent or anyone else involved. Follow some basic rules when you find yourself in this situation. First and foremost, take your autistic individual to the doctor. If the doctor prescribes a medicine, please be sure to administer it to the autistic individual. Second, please use all precautions to make sure you don't catch the cold or flu. Protect yourself. Last, please be certain that the autistic individual gets plenty of needed rest in order to get well.

Autism Worldwide

In America, most people know what autism is. Some people know how to help those with autism. But what about in other parts of this world! In India, for example, it seems that autism seldom goes unnoticed. Individuals with autism are regarded as outcasts of their society and not provided the care they need . This simply is inhumane treatment which stems from lack of knowledge about this disorder. This field needs caring therapists, teachers, doctors, and other professionals to genuinely love and nurture the growth of an autistic individual. It is sad that autism is on the rise but lack of experienced professionals in this field is even more sad. I hope to reach corners of this world where autism is present and not known about. I hope someone reading this finds my blogs helpful in dealing with daily life with an autistic individual, not only in America, but worldwide. 

Keep Walking!!

During my career as a Behavior Therapist, I loved to take kids out on walks. Sometimes my supervisor and I would teach a child how to walk correctly but the most pleasurable were times of relaxing walk. These walks were used to serve as a break from therapy sessions or a goal, that a child worked for during therapy. ABA Therapy utilizes goals and working for a relaxing walk is a very good goal. Even on these relaxed walks, I would point out colors to the child. I would encourage the child to feel items such as leaves to feed some sensory needs. Walking is fun and is a good sensory experience.