Hi5! We are still just as excited about our 5 year old as the day when the doctor pronounced,"You're Pregnant!" Yep, we're still jumping for joy,and so is he! We are sharing our joy,disappointments,successes and challenges as a family with a child touched by AUTISM-a neurological condition considered a developmental disability.If you care to share, please do.Join us on Google Blogger/Reader/Buzz/orkut,hi5, digg,Facebook,Twitter,Yahoo!Buzz,YouTube,MySpace, holiday WordPress.ENJOY!KBJCosse'Family
Enjoying the Hi-5s of Autism - A Family Experience
While students with autism are increasingly being educated in general education classrooms, they are often excluded from rich and meaningful literacy experiences like reading and writing stories, book clubs, acting and performing, journaling, and whole-class and small-group discussions. It is not unusual for students with autism in these classrooms to follow a different curriculum than the one offered to their classmates (Kluth, 1998).
Some students identified with autism can participate successfully in whole-class rich literacy experiences, with the right kind of support. Learn about strategies for designing lessons that are appropriate, engaging, and challenging for every learner in the inclusive classroom.
u
"hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil,..." One concern we have had for our son is being the victim of any form of ABUSE. For 2 years, our 6 years old son, has participated in a 'good touch' vs 'bad touch' program. Yes, our children with developmental disabilities can be taught about their 'personal space', 'private parts' and similar personal topics. Think about it... If we are 'trying' to teach them Communication, Socialization and Behavioral Skills (along with the ABC's and the 123s), why not also train them in Self Awareness, Personal Safety and Privacy issues.
Thus, every school year, we enroll our son in P.A.L.S. 'Play And Learn Social Skills' which is an after school, after care, at school Social Skills development/ enhancement program. P.A.L.S. pairs our son with a 'Peer Buddy'. by the way, much ABUSIVE situations occur in social environments when the average person is ' guard' and only primarily thinking about the event. Additionally, P.A.L.S. incorporates video modeling via "Model Me Kids". Also, P.A.L.S. trains our son in 'good touch' vs. 'bad touch' through the 'Talk About Touch' and 'Second Step Curriculum' of the 'Committee for Children'.
As Parents, Caregivers, and Advocates of children with developmental disabilities (any disability/ special need), we must be mindful that ABUSE Awareness, Intervention and Prevention is a daily threat to our kids.
Why? Just as with bullying, children with disabilities are disproportionately teased, harassed, beat up, taunted. THEY are the targets of Abuse. Child Predators and their Enablers and Conspirators of Silence are not impartial to kids with special needs. Evil people commit evil acts against whomever they deem 'easy prey' or 'preferred targets'!
In light of the Penn State University (alleged) system-wide Child Abuse-Sex Scandal, let's teach our kids with special needs about 'good touch' vs. 'bad touch'. Let's train them in how to respond to abusers. Let's talk to them about expressing any type of ABUSE they might possibly encounter.
"Child Predators have no business on School grounds! Schools need reliable vetting procedures and 'No Child Abusers' Policies! Rules should apply to all Personnel ---tenured, senior, new, temp., ancillary, tangient and any associates of a school system. Annual Reviews should be extensive on all levels. What is your schools policy on Student Safety and Protection, as well as, Sexual Harassment and Abuse?"
God Bless. The Cosse' Family
References & Resources
Talking points. Penn State Assistant Football Coach and the prevention of sexual abuse.
NEW YORK — It can be a malicious rumor whispered in the hallway, a lewd photo arriving by cell phone, hands groping where they shouldn't. Added up, it's an epidemic – student-on-student sexual harassment that is pervasive in America's middle schools and high schools.· ShareYesterday at 6:47am
The Model Me Kids video series is a powerful tool for teaching social skills to children and teens with Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Lesson Plans...
Model Me Confidence & Bullying Prevention™ Models skills for preventing bullying and building confidence through self-advocacy, choosing friends, positive self-talk, and more. Run Time: 63 min. DVD plus free photo CD For Ages 9-17 read moreorder
What an Autistic Child says: Thank you to Jeffrey, age 10, for sending us his Report on "Time for School." Read Jeffrey's Report: Page 1 | Page 2
Aspergers Social Skills Group:
"I love your video. It is an excellent tool for my Aspergers social skills group." -Caron Starobin, LCSW-C, Group Therapist for boys with Aspergers
"Your DVDs are great! Our daughter (high-functioning autism diagnosis) LOVES them and has learned so much from these! ...We make them mandatory viewing for our home ABA therapy team." -Karen Hofferber, Texas
A nonprofit working globally to prevent bullying, violence, and child abuse
A Family Guide to Second Step is available for use with families of children in preschool...Committee for Children recommends developing a plan to include ...
Together they embody the proverbial principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no ...There are a total of 8 panels, and the iconic Three Wise Monkeys picture...
Happy AUTISM Awareness Month! 'The Talk' on CBS will feature Jimmie Smith and his 2 kids! Jimmie is in Los Angeles right now with his children preparing for tomorrow's show! Thanks to Holly Robinson-Peete for sharing your families' experience and serving as an international ambassador for Autism families and causes. http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_talk/
Check you time zone for broadcasting times and set your tivo! Spread this good news about how raising awareness works! Thanks to CBS The Talk for consistently highlighting Autism-related topics.
Remember, we shared about Jimmie Smith's 'aha moment' last October, on this blog site. Thanks to many of you, Jimmie Smith & his 2 kids commercial won! Now, The Jimmie Smith Family is in Hollywood!
aha moment - VOTE for 'Just the way he is.' - Jimmie-Baton Rouge,LA
All of our 'EnjoyHi5Autism' blogs and social networking sites include links to Jimmie Smith's aha moment commercial. We will let you know when Mutual of Omaha will air his Autism spot this spring.
Click the 2 links below to view previous blogs we shared about Jimmie Smith:
aha moment - VOTE for 'Just the way he is.' - Jimmie-Baton Rouge,LA
“Thank you Jimmie Smith, Jr. for opening up your life to me, for not judging me, for sharing with my husband, for being so sacrificially unselfish. Mostly, I appreciate your bold stand for children with special needs, your pursuit of ...
When you share your life, you help so many others. This is why The KBJ Cosse' Family established the "Enjoying The Hi-5s of Autism - A Family Experience" blogs and social networking sites.
Reading Rockets logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
