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
Friday, October 1, 2010
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Image via WikipediaNational Bullying Prevention Month – October 2010
PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention unites, engages, and educates communities nationwide to address bullying through creative, relevant, and interactive resources.
http://www.pacer.org/bullying/bpam/nationalpartners.asp
Become a National Partner! To include your organization, please fill out this form. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TR6KWHC
Need Help? Call 952-838-9000 (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CST, M-F)
PACER is the Minnesota Parent Training and Information Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Moms Fighting Autism
Hi-5!
Free webinar (a seminar on the world wide web) is being offered each month by the online community Moms Fighting Autism. Register at www.momsfightingautism.com.Moms Fighting Autism
at www.momsfightingautism.com.
Once you register, then you are sent a confirmation email with a call-in number and id; and online viewing link.
Also, they ask for questions to be submitted in advance. Here is our question for this month:
"Why do Parents have to advocate for their child to receive public services? Our tax dollars pay for public and federally mandated services for our son as a student, as well as, as a recipient of benefits associated with Disability Rights legislation. We understand if we have to advocated for him to attend a private school or a private after-school activity like horse-riding. But, to have to advocated for a public education, public health insurance and medical care and other tax covered benefits is preposterous! This is like telling President Obama he has to pay with his own credit card and petition every time he wants to fly on Air Force One to uphold the duties of his office stateside and overseas. Ridiculous! "
This month's FREE webinar is:
Topic: Moms Fighting Autism: "How To Be An Advocate for Your Child".
Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept. 29th at 4pm Pacific. (check your time)
Speaker: Attorney Areva Martin and Moderator: Chantal Sicile-Kira.
Webinar Description: Nationally recognized expert on autism advocacy Areva Martin shares her hard-won knowledge as a parent of an auti...stic child and an individual rights attorney. In The Everyday Advocate, she lays out vital and relevant step-by-step instructions to parents facing the seemingly impossible odds of advocating for a child with autism.Parents need to become activists for their children rights to services and learn how to safeguard those rights-both in school and in the larger outside world. An invaluable resource, The Everyday Advocate offers practical, real-world actions that work, lists helpful websites and organizations, and gives parents and caregivers the emotional support they need as they face the challenge of successfully standing upfor children with special needs.
For more information, go to Moms Fighting Autism.
ENJOY!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Happy VALUE Day! AMC Movie Theaters
Image via WikipediaHi-5!
Happy VALUE Day! to AMC Movie Theater for dedicating show times for to address the viewing needs of moviegoers with sensory issues. AMC Sensory Friendly Films alter the viewing experience for patrons with lighting, visual, sound, auditory and timing concerns.
Two years ago, a Maryland mother and daughter were asked to leave a theater after her daughter with autism became over-stimulated. This mother contacted the Autism Society. This national advocacy organization negotiated with AMC Movie Theaters to start a trial viewing of Sensory Friendly Films. Over 300 viewers showed up for this first screening at the AMC Columbia Mall 14! Read more about this life-changing strategy in the NPR online article NPR.org 'IMAX'd Out: Kids With Autism Get Big Screen Break'
Yes, we have mentioned this before, but, anything good is always worth highlighting again! We are so excited because in the New Orleans Metropolitan area, families faced with a developmental disability, now have 3 theaters they can visit to enjoy movies. In Harahan, Houma and Hammond - children with autism are happily hurrying and shouting hooray as they head to AMC movie theaters each month.
To find out how to request a Sensory Friendly Films viewing in your local AMC Theater, go to Sensory Friendly Films of AMC Movie Theaters.
Now, our 5 year old enjoys going to the movies. He does not cry, scream or shake in terror as we pull up to the theater. He checks the displayed posters for his movie, tries to read the marquee, and even goes up to the window to pay for his ticket(if there is not a crowd). He excitedly walks in handing the host his ticket.
The sensory issues he has associated with a developmental disability are eased due to the dimmed lights, low sounds, and reduction in previews/ads shown. No longer does he cover his ears, closes his eyes, fidgets in his seat and tries to run out of the show. We notice that hosts remain in the theater to help, if needed. For safety, the floor track lights remain on. The surround sound booming effect is removed, too.
He enjoys singing, laughing, dancing and interacting with the other movie goers! He likes selecting which of his favorite crunchy snacks and h2ojuice drink he brings. Once inside, he enjoys singing, laughing, dancing and socializing with the other movie goers! What a great play day! Next year, we might have his 6th birthday party at an AMC Movie Theater and request a Sensory Friendly Film viewing version. You know what, we can incorporate this concept for a home party, too.
Partnering with The Autism Society, AMC Sensory Friendly Films are showing the following movies this fall.
Upcoming Sensory Friendly showings* include:September 4 - Nanny McPhee Returns
October 2 - Legend of the Guardians - The Owls of Ga’Hoole
November 6 - MegaMind
November 20 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1
December 11 - The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
All shows are at 10:00 am local time.
*Dates and films are subject to change.
To request AMC Sensory Friendly Films in your market, or to learn more about autism, please contact:
AMC Entertainment Community Relations | Autism Society of America
It really works! We participated in an email request by a disability advocacy and parent resource center. AMC Movie Theaters responded to our needs. Now, we have 3 theaters sites showing Sensory Friendly Films!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Genetic Testing?
Hi-5!
Well, we finally did it!
We took our 5 year old son for genetic testing. Fragile X, metabolic, and a few other tests are what the geneticist initially ordered. As you may recall, since he was 3, he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum.
Mommy was a 'high school volunteer' at Children's Hospital in NOLA. We hope they will find some answers with these DNA results.
Make sure you are comfortable with the doctor and the medical facility that will do the testing.
Part of the test is a family profile type of hereditary traits, medical history and personal awareness. Be HONEST about provided as accurate and detailed answers as you possibly can recall. Remember, you are there to help your child. The geneticist is not trying to blame anyone for the reasons that your child has a developmental disability.
We want to thank our child development specialist and our good friend Patricia K.K. for encouraging us to undergo the genetic testing.
There are many causes associated with autism and other developmental disorders. This week we want to highlight Fragile X syndrome.
Image by Julia Manzerova via Flickr
National Fragile X day was acknowledged on July 22, 2010.
Image by Julia Manzerova via FlickrHave you or are you considering genetic testing for your child with Autism Spectrum?
Learn more about Fragile X and other genetic tests for developmental disabilities by referring to the links we have posted.
ENJOY!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Happy VALUE Day!
Hi-5!
Happy VALUE Day!
We are appreciating the doctors who are researching, testing, studying, analyzing and trying to reach determinants about the causes for autism and other developmental disabilities.
Today, we specifically highlight the works of geneticist. We appreciate their insight and years of studying in order to assist families like ours who seek answers, even to questions we don't know to ask.
ENJOY!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Bullying! EDUCATION not intimidation.
Hi-5!
[PLEASE BE ADVISED: THIS POST CONTAINS LINKS TO ARTICLES ABOUT BULLYING.]
Bullying! EDUCATION not intimidation.
We are definitely concerned about bullying at school. This year, our son will have more interaction with the general student body, as he participates in kindergarten activities. We know that we can not protect him from life, but, we are grateful that his elementary school/school board has a bullying policy. We have reviewed it. We are mindful of the possibility of our son encountering bullying while riding the school bus, on the playground, in the cafeteria, etc... AND EVEN IN THE CLASSROOM.
We are hopeful that just because he has autism and is a student receiving a special education in an inclusive, FAPE that is LRE, he will not be targeted. This sentiment is extended to all students!
Do you think bullying is an issue and a bigger issue now than when you were a student?
"Yes, directed towards students and people iwth special needs, bullying is a real issue and bigger than a decade ago."
"With more technological advances and rapid speed of communicating and access, bullying is now a viral threat for the masses to be concerned about its rippling and insidious effects."
"Bullying poses global problems amongst countries, economies, religions, political views, and cultures."
"If left unchallenged, bullying can prevail as the pervasive cornerstone of a generation, like the Nazi regime instituted!"
"Individualism, diversification and the pursuit of liberty can be uprooted from the very core of our civilization, if the world does not annihilate BULLYING!"
(9.14.2010@12:16am)
You can prevent and stop bullying!
Let's do our best to make and keep our school communities a bully-free zone environment!
EDUCATION not intimidation!
[PLEASE BE ADVISED: THIS POST CONTAINS LINKS TO ARTICLES ABOUT BULLYING.]
ENJOY!
Image via Wikipedia
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