Voice Your Choice! Stop the use of the 'R' word!

Hi5!

New Jersey bans the use of the word "retarded"

(Governor) "Christie said "he regretted people had to wait so long to get the bill passed, and said he was proud to have signed it. This is making sure each citizen in our state is treated with the respect they deserve ... It’s their government, too,’’ he said.



The 81-page bill includes the citations in state law and regulations that have to be changed, including: "mentally retarded," "physically handicapped," "feeble-minded,’’ and "physically or mentally defective." The law also applies to language involving people with mental illness, such as "the insane," the "mentally deficient," and "the mentally ill."


"Words matter - it’s that simple,’’ said Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), one of the bill’s sponsors and the father of a daughter with a developmental disability. "We have a community of productive, hard-working citizens...The ‘R’ word should mean respect."


The legislation (S1982) passed in June. "


http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/296278

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitaljournal.com%2Farticle%2F296278&h=01110

ENJOY! 

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Voice Your Choice - No More Use of the "R" word!

Hi5!

Now that's progressive!

OMRDD is now OPWDD (New York)

"The state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities is now the Office For People With Developmental Disabilities - after a Red Room bill signing ceremony that for some inexplicable reason was closed to the press. The name change was prompted by the longstanding concerns of many in the disabled... community, who would like to see “retarded” and its derivations consigned to the same scrapheap where “cripple” now resides.Here’s the statement from Gov. David Paterson:"The historic legislation removed the words “Mental Retardation” from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.“This name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities” Governor Paterson said. “For many people with developmental disabilities the words ‘mental retardation’ are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For People With Developmental Disabilities(OPWDD). The historic legislation removed the words “Mental Retardation” from the name of the State agency and from State statute and regulations, and will take effect immediately.

"
“This name change sends a strong message that New York values the dignity and respect of individuals with developmental disabilities” Governor Paterson said. “For many people with developmental disabilities the words ‘mental retardation’ are hurtful and represent a disrespectful term. The Office For People With Developmental Disabilities is a name that respects their rights as people with developmental disabilities to have an agency name that invokes pride, and not shame.”


http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.timesunion.com%2Fcapitol%2Farchives%2F29435%2Fomrdd-gets-a-new-name%2F&h=01110

ENJOY!

Note:  This blog is also shared on Facebook with a Discussion tab at

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Hi 5!

Here is another day to say thank you for how you help empower people with disabilities. We appreciate you for what you do for the developmental disabilitycommunity. This is what 'Happy VALUE Day!' is all about.

Do you have a link of a website from an organization, agency or individual that is positively impacting the disability population? If they have a Facebook or Twitter or any other social networking page, include that also.

These are a few of the entities we VALUE in offering support, sound advice, and reliable research as we continue to VALUE our 5 year old son who is on the autism spectrum.

All of our support systems are on Facebook, Twitter and/or have a website. Look them up!

The National Disabilty Rights Network (NDRN)


Cambian Learning


CARD - Center for Autism and Related Disorders


Autism Spectrum Quarterly Magazine


National Arts & Disability Center (NADC)


PACER Center

Autism Society of Acadiana (Louisiana) - Congratulations on celebrating your Grand Opening! (8/27-28/10)
 
LaCAN Acadiana Region IV (Louisiana)

ENJOY!

 

Note:  Join us on Facebook under the same title.  We share a webpage with related information. Our Discussion tab is an extension of these Google blog posts.  You can leave comments and questions, too. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Enjoying-the-Hi-5s-of-Autism-A-Family-Experience/

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'Happy VALUE Day!' - Links Galore!

Hi-5!


Here is another day to say thank you for how you help people with disabilities. We appreciate you for what you do for the developmental disability community.  This is what 'Happy VALUE Day!' is all about. 

Do you have a link of a website from an organization, agency or individual that is positively impacting the disability population?  If they have a Facebook or Twitter or any other social networking page, include that also.

These are a few of the entities we VALUE in offering support, sound advice, and reliable research as we continue to VALUE our 5 year old son who is on the autism spectrum.

All of our support system is Facebook.  Look them up!

Autism Speaks


Autism Society of America


TACA - Talk About Curing Autism


NICHCY


LaCAN

LaPTIC


Families Helping Families (10 in Louisiana)

LaTEACH


LATAN


American Association of People With Disabilities


Partners In Policymaking state-level initiatives of the Developmental Disabilities Council

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (including NIDRR & OSEP) all of the U.S. Department of Education

Remember to share your links, too.


ENJOY!

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Stop All School Bullying!

Hi-5!

(WE) say, "Let's start and maintain every school year with the right, positive attitude and actions. NO BULLYING! Unfortunately, many of our special needs students experience bullying while they are pursuing their FAPE, in an inclusive and LRE that embraces PBS. (Schools) are designed to produce academic excellence.  Behavior is a Discipline component of education.  We are to prepare our children to be productive citizens. Parents, Teachers, Administrators and fellow Students, don't ignore these counterproductive behaviors. Instead, TAKE ACTION!" --Read 'Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli Speaks at the Department of Education Bullying Summit'.

WHAT A SHAME WE NEED A BULLYING SUMMIT!

Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli

Speaks  at the Department of Education’s

Bullying Summit

Washington, D.C. ~ Thursday, August 12, 2010 - Good morning and thank you. I am very happy to be joining you today on behalf of the Department of Justice. It is great to see Secretary Duncan and the Department of Education taking leadership on this important issue through this Anti-Bullying Summit. The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools is doing great work, and I’m pleased to be with all of you here today.


I am pleased to be here for two reasons. First and foremost, I am a parent. I have two sons, and, like all parents, I want them to have every opportunity in life. I know that education will be their key, as it was for me. To that end, I want my sons to be safe in school, and without fear of harassment by fellow students. Our nation’s children deserve a learning environment that allows them to reach their full potential, and no child should be scared to go to school because of bullying. What all of you in this room are doing matters to me personally.


[Read the entire bullying summit speech by Associate Attorney General T. Perrelli at the following US Dept. of Justice link  http://www.justice.gov/asg/speeches/2010/asg-speech-100812.html ]

Has your child experienced bullying at school?


What was your child's reaction?


What was your child's peers reactions?

What was your child's teacher's reaction?


What was your child's school's(administration) reaction?

What was your reaction?


Are your child and the other student who perpetrated the bullying now friends?


ENJOY!

Note:  FAPE, LRE, PBS are all terms used in the laws governing special education implementation. FAPE stands for Free and Appropriate Public Education.  LRE stands for Least Restrictive Enviroment.  PBS stands for Positive Behavior Support.  Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA) is one of the laws that outline the education of children with special needs.  Consult with your school's counselor or administration for more information.

*Original post on Facebook version of "Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism - A Family Experience" at http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=167&uid=135895773111543

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Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: Stop All School Bullying!

Enjoying The Hi 5's of Autism - A Family Experience: Stop All School Bullying!: "Hi-5! (WE) say, 'Let's start and maintain every school year with the right, positive attitude and actions. NO BULLYING! Unfortunately, m..."

Happy VALUE Day! to Students receiving a very special Education!

Hi-5!


'Happy VALUE Day!' is the theme reflecting the inherent, innate, undeniable VALUE that is present in all people with a developmental disability, or disability in general.


We believe that our son is valuable to us, every day. We select Sunday's to honor the value in others, like him with Autism and other neurological, developmental conditions. Individuals with disabilities should be understood, accepted, and appreciated, too. So, we want to join others in celebrating the good ways that individuals with special needs contribute to their communities.

Victory
Already
Love
Unfolds
Eternally

Why do we VALUE our child learning from Special Education curriculum and techniques?*

We thought about this question as we shared with other Parents during our son's 'Meet & Greet' at his elementary school. He has a new teacher, old and new classmates, and a somewhat new classroom(shared in snack time, previously);and all at the same school.

We VALUE our son's special needs education because it is administered by trained professionals who compassionately help our son learn his academic lessons.

We appreciate our son's willingness to learn from several types of instructors EVERY school day.  In collaboration with his Teachers, our son learns from the help of special services professionals like: occupational therapists, speech language instructors, adaptive physical education specialists, etc... (we will discuss teaching aides as the school year progresses).

His Special Education Team help him embrace inclusion concepts while he plays in a least restrictive enviroment.

It is really helpful when schools implement the 'universal design' classroom components for teaching and learning throughout the entire school (regular and special education classrooms, cafeteria, libraries, playground, gym, computer lab, arts, music, sports,band, dance, the chest club and other extracurricular activities).

His elementary school is mindful of his need for specific accommodations and modifications that assist him with learning. For instance, our son uses adaptive scissors and visual aides to participate in assignments. 

Our son is not 'acting' like a baby at school.

Rather, our son is learning from his autistic perspective.

His Teachers do not allow him or his peers to focus on the 'dis'.

Instead, his Teachers show him and his peers how to target his ABILITIES!

Having a unique learning style is not bad or sad.

Skills for learning from within an autism spectrum presents innovative opportunities for his educators, him and his school mates.

Our son learns from his Teachers and peers how to communicate, socialize, share, laugh and play with his classmates.

Our son and his Teachers help his classmates understand, accept and appreciate him as a fellow student with VALUE!

Our son is learning how to understand, accept and appreciate his school, classwork, instructors and peers.  In other words, he is learning how to VALUE people who do not act, think, respond, or learn the way he does, too.

All of this reciprocal VALUE exchanging is very important because ...
{as we adults learned/sang in school and now our kids are learning/singing in school}...

"This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me." 

So, 'Happy VALUE Day!' to all the Students who are receiving and enjoying a very special Education!

ENJOY!


Note: * Special Education (needs) Students include individuals who attend schools on a  full-time or amended schedule basis.  These Students may have physical, intellectual, emotional, motor, cognitive, visual,auditory,mental, developmental, and learning disabilities. These Students usually require enhanced, modified and/or accomodating teaching methods to successfully learn in their academic arenas. Thank you, too.


"Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism-A Family Experience" is also featured as a Facebook website.


[Remember to support your favorite charities at Good Search.com]

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• http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/thisland.htm - This Land Is Your Land instrumental link of the NIEHS Kids' Pages are supported by the NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison,National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services
• http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.100010446/default.html  - This Is Your Land by Woodie Guthire; performed by the U.S.Coast Guard Band,New London CT - taken from the cd entitled 'Sing America'
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Happy VALUE Day - Special Education Teachers

Hi-5!



'Happy VALUE Day!' is the theme reflecting the inherent, innate, undeniable VALUE that is present in all people with a developmental disability, or disability in general.


We believe that our son is valuable to us, every day. We select Sunday's to honor the value in others, like him with Autism and other neurological conditions.  People with disabilities should be understood, accepted, and appreciated, too. So, we want join others in celebrating the great things our special needs family, coworkers, friends, neighbors,etc... do for our communities.


Victory


Already


Love


Unfolds


Eternally


Why do you VALUE your child's Special Education Teacher(s)?*

We thought about this question as we shared with other Parents during our son's 'Meet & Greet' at his elementary school.  He has a new teacher, old and new classmates, and a somewhat new classroom(shared in snack time, previously);and all at the same school.

• We VALUE our son's special needs Teachers because they are trained professionals who compassionately help our son learn his academic lessons.

• His Special Education Teachers help him embrace inclusion concepts while he plays in a least restrictive enviroment.

• His special needs Teachers are mindful of his need for specific accommodations and modifications that assist him with learning. 

No, they do not 'baby' him! 

• Rather, our son's Teachers show him how to learn from his autistic perspective. 

His Teachers do not focus on the 'dis'.

• Instead, his Teachers target his ABILITIES!

Having a unique learning style is not bad or sad.

• Skills for learning from within an autism spectrum presents innovative opportunities for his educators.

• Our son's Teachers help  him communicate, socialize, share, laugh and play with his classmates.

• Our son's Teachers help his classmates understand, accept and appreciate him as a fellow student with VALUE!

So, 'Happy VALUE Day!' to Special Education Teachers!

ENJOY!

Note: * Special Education (needs) Teachers include the paraprofessionals and paraeducators who diligently work hand in hand with the Teachers.  Thank you, too.

"Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism-A Family Experience" is also featured as a Facebook website.

Rel{Support your favorite charities at Good Search.com}

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FYI: Back to School#6 - 'TEACHING Your Teacher'

Cover via Amazon

Hi-5!

Get Ready!
School starts in less than a week, depending on where you live!


Ten Things Your Student With Autism Wishes You Knew


Insight from a child’s perspective.

By Ellen Notbohm

1. Behavior is communication.

All behavior occurs for a reason. It tells you, even when my words can't, how I perceive what is happening around me. Negative behavior interferes with my learning process. But merely interrupting these behaviors is not enough. Teach me to exchange “bad” behaviors with proper alternatives so that real learning can flow. I want to learn to interact appropriately. Negative behavior usually means I am overwhelmed by disordered sensory systems, cannot communicate my wants or needs or don’t understand what is expected of me. Look beyond my behavior to find the source of my resistance. Keep notes as to what happened immediately before the behavior, documenting people involved, time of day, recent activities and current settings. A pattern may emerge.

Do you know how your child with Autism communicates to his/her Teacher?

Do you know that your child with Autism may communicate differently with his Teacher than the way he/she communicates with his family?

Does the Teacher of your child with Autism knows how he/she communicates?

Enjoy!

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Happy VALUE Day! BOWLING Bonanza!

Hi-5!       

Alright, this is our 3rd installment of the Happy VALUE Day! 

We want to celebrate the wonderful works of people with disabilities.  We want to say thank you.  We want non disabled people to appreciate the VALUE of so many special needs people within our communities.  We hope people without a disability will join us, and other supporters, as we endeavor to acknowledge, understand, and accept the disability sector of our populations.

Everyone has VALUE.  This includes so many of our loved ones, friends, neighbors, teachers, advocates, coaches, librarians, pastors etc... who are enjoying life - even while managing a disability.

This Sunday, we VALUE the group called S.A.G.E. because they are friendly, funny and serve great food!

Our 5 year old son totally enjoyed himself and did not want to leave after bowling for over 1 hour!  Even an autism condition could not impede him from bowling!  He tolerated a new enviroment, being around a lot of unfamiliar faces; and lots of noise from the bowling balls clanging against the pins! 

So, now we have to bowl at least once a month!

This is the invitation announcing the group, fundraiser and contact info. on Facebook.

Northshore Families Helping Families
Tiffany Lanes in Mandeville is raising money for S.A.G.E (Self Advocates Gaining Empowerment), our adult group. Sweet treats will be sold and a raffle for an LSU bowling ball and a Saints bowling ball! July 31-Aug 7. Drawing for the bowling balls will be Aug 7th. Contact us for more info! 985-875-0511
July 19 at 1:31pm

So, you still have time to help S.A.G.E.
One more week left to buy tickets for a great group!
HOPE our tickets get pulled!
We want that Saints bowling ball!

Mrs. Carmen's reminder posts on Facebook. {We get her posts on our mobile phone because we 'suscribe' to her FB SMS posts. This is good especially when you are on the go!}

Speaking about benefits...please pass the word there's a bowling benefit for the Adult Group, SAGE. $10 10-2, Saturday, July 31, raffles, lunch, red beans and rice, sweets...good cause. Open to the PUBLIC, proceeds to benefit SAGE directly. Check it out on NFHF website...see you there..
July 24 at 3:31pm


Tomorrow is our big day. Bowling benefit from Tiffany Lanes...$10 for four hours bowling 10-2. Sweet sale, JPAS Northshore Pkg. Raffle, cash raffle, lunch $5 red beans rice sausage..family fun recreation, arcade, pool table...beat the heat index of 115 come inside and bowlin with us in Mandeville...to benefit Adults with Disabilities group.
Friday at 11:31pm

Glad Mrs. Carmen sent these reminders cause often caring for a loved one with special needs can put you in a care-giver's bubble. It was good to get out and balance out our lives by enjoying life with others.

These are the appreciation comments we posted on Facebook pages:

Northshore Families Helping Families
Kbj Cosse' We had a ball! 123 roll the ball- black, blue, purple, and orange is son's fav! He played all 10 rounds with score of 78! Glad we bought the home bowling kit! This was his first time public bowling!! Fellowship! Fun! Food! Thanks to Carmen, Perry, Gina, Wendy and all S.A.G.E. members, as well as, Tiffany Lanes! What a way for our family to close out celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the A.D.A.!

This is our thank you to Mrs. Carmen & S.A.G.E.
· Kbj Cosse' We had a ball!
· Kbj Cosse' Joshie 1st time publi bowling!
· .Kbj Cosse' ‎123 roll the ball-black,blue, purple,orange is fav!
· .Kbj Cosse' Joshie finished all 10 score 78!
· Kbj Cosse' His school O.T. in next lane AMAZED!
· .Kbj Cosse' Enjoyed meeting new friends.
· .Kbj Cosse' Hubby says sign up for next time! WOW!
· .Kbj Cosse' Hubby still asking for y'alls red beans and rice! Guess, I should've gotten a bowl to go! Well, a can of Blue Runners will have to suffice!

So, you still have time to help S.A.G.E.
One more week left to buy tickets for a great group!
HOPE our tickets get pulled!
We want that Saints bowling ball!
But, if we win the LSU bowling ball, giving it to our big Sis' in Cali who's a Tiger alumni!

S.A.G.E. upcoming fundraiser posted on Mrs. Carmen's Facebook page on 7/31/2010:

Raffles to benefit the group; biggie is to welcome Jefferson Performing Arts Society to the Northshore two tickets for three (3) performances in St.Tammany (LaBoheme, Meshuggah-NUNS!, Sound of Music, dialogue, sing-along concert). $5 rafffle, drawing in October! All to benefit SAGE! THANK YOU!

We hope to fellowship with  S.A.G.E. for their next fundraiser and a bowling day!
 
ENJOY!


Notes:
1) Northshore Families Helping Families is  is a family-driven resource center for individuals with disabilities and their families.  Our Mission: To provide the individualized services, information, resources and support needed to positively enhance the independence, productivity and inclusion of individuals with disabilities.Visit our website for more info. at http://www.fhfnorthshore.org/.  Contact us at (985) 875-0511or 1-800-383-8700 or email NFHF@bellsouth.net.  Please register for all events unless otherwise noted.

2) S.A.G.E. is the Adult Program for NFHF. S.A.G.E. (Self Advocates Gaining Empowerment) offers individuals with disabilities over 18 an opportunity to spend time with others in a fun and care-free environment. This group gets together once a month for a social event and weekly to bowl. We also have small workshops on topics of interest for the adults tailored specifically for them. Please contact Carmen O'mara to join or with any questions. 

3) Carmen O'Mara is the Adult Program Coordinator (S.A.G.E.); and LaCAN Liaison.  Louisianan Citizens for Action Now (LaCAN) is a statewide grassroots network of individuals and families advocating for a service system that supports individuals with disabilities to live in their own homes.

4) So, if you're in New Orleans Metro area on Saturdays at 11AM/cst, S.A.G.E. is bowling at Tiffany Lanes bowling facility in Mandeville, LA. The Northshore of St. Tammany Parish is just 1 hour from downtown New Orleans via the Twin Span Bridge at I-12. Also, if you visit, it is only 30 minutes from Metairie, LA in Jefferson Parish via the Causeway Bridge.

5) "Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism-A Family Experience" is now on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/babymiracle2005.  We write a supplemental of this blog on our FB website and Discussion tab section. Leave your comments, questions, and replies at http://www.facebook.com/babymiracle2005#!/pages/Enjoying-the-Hi-5s-of-Autism-A-Family-Experience/135895773111543?v=info&ref=ts

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