DISCUSSION - People with Special Needs and Webkinz

[MamaDeeDee]

Just a quick note to let you al know what is up here. My Patric won an art contest! He got a camera so we will be going on some picture taking trips. As a professional graphic designer, and photographer I was pretty excited and proud about that That was our good news.
Our sad news is my cat, Fred is dying- renal failure. He apparently got into something in the neighborhood that poisoned him. We cannot afford the high end treatment but I hate to just put him down so we brought him home and are trying to keep him comfortable until the end. My first Webkinz is named Fred- I got it because it looks just like him although the real Fred is a ragdoll, not a Himalayan. He will be missed a lot- he was a mama's boy, sitting with me and watching the computer as if he knew what was going on. I will probably not be on much for a while I feel sad sitting here without him.

[melethana]

Originally Posted by MamaDeeDee

Just a quick note to let you al know what is up here. My Patric won an art contest! He got a camera so we will be going on some picture taking trips. As a professional graphic designer, and photographer I was pretty excited and proud about that That was our good news.
Our sad news is my cat, Fred is dying- renal failure. He apparently got into something in the neighborhood that poisoned him. We cannot afford the high end treatment but I hate to just put him down so we brought him home and are trying to keep him comfortable until the end. My first Webkinz is named Fred- I got it because it looks just like him although the real Fred is a ragdoll, not a Himalayan. He will be missed a lot- he was a mama's boy, sitting with me and watching the computer as if he knew what was going on. I will probably not be on much for a while I feel sad sitting here without him.

(((HUGZ))) I truly am very sorry to hear about your kitty

[Electrabuzz1]

Another work of week done!! This has been an exhausting week. Three more work days and I will be on vacation for a week and a half and I need it!!

A fellow I used to work with has written, illustrated and published a childrens book on children with disabilities. It is definitely in Chapters in Canada and I believe it is being sold in the States as well now. The character in his book representing Autism is based on my son. There is even a picture of myself and my two boys having a picnic (not a real life picture).

Watch for it if you are in a book store. It is called "Half of Me" by William Bart.

Tomorrow we are going to a book signing where my DS will be presented with a copy of the book and the original pages written with him in mind framed. I am not sure how my son will deal with this attention but we will see how it goes.

Originally Posted by MamaDeeDee

Just a quick note to let you al know what is up here. My Patric won an art contest! He got a camera so we will be going on some picture taking trips. As a professional graphic designer, and photographer I was pretty excited and proud about that That was our good news.

Congratulations on the contest. That is wonderful news. I hope that he enjoys his new camera.

Originally Posted by MamaDeeDee

Our sad news is my cat, Fred is dying- renal failure. He apparently got into something in the neighborhood that poisoned him. We cannot afford the high end treatment but I hate to just put him down so we brought him home and are trying to keep him comfortable until the end. My first Webkinz is named Fred- I got it because it looks just like him although the real Fred is a ragdoll, not a Himalayan. He will be missed a lot- he was a mama's boy, sitting with me and watching the computer as if he knew what was going on. I will probably not be on much for a while I feel sad sitting here without him.

MamaDeeDee - I am so very sorry to hear about your cat. What an awful thing to have to go through. I know all about the pain of watching a beloved pet pass. I wish you much strength during this difficult time and please know that I will be thinking of you!!

Originally Posted by melethana

Glad to hear that the positive reinforcement is helping. That way he'll remember behaving well, and be less likely to behave inappropriately. Or something along those lines.
I've always tended to internalize my feelings, and focus inward. I did engage in door slamming 2 or 3 times, but by that time I was a teenager. I think even neurotypical teens will slam doors occasionally. I like that word "neurotypical" much better than "normal" I'm not abnormal, I'm just atypical!
I never really thought about acting out violence against others, it just never occurred to me. The only theory I could offer about the "I can because I want to" attitude is the feeling that other people don't count. Not now so much anymore, but when I was going through ****rty, I would often get this feeling that my life wasn't real, but just a movie I was watching, or a book written by someone else. (Not all that odd with Asperger's Syndrome) And since my life wasn't really real, people weren't really real either. It didn't matter what a character in a movie said, so why should it matter what people said? But rather than acting out against people, I just withdrew and ignored them.

melethana, I wanted to tell you once again how much I truly appreciate your insight. You are a wonderful asset to our thread. When I read your thoughts I find myself trying to emulate the feelings you have experienced in my head. I do not know if I am telling that right but I am trying to feel how you felt so I have a better understanding of what may go on in my son's head. Did that make any sense at all?

Originally Posted by carmel_mom

For anyone who wants to look into it, it is called the Nurtured Heart Approach. The book is titled "Transforming the Difficult Child" by Howard Glasser and Jennifer Easley. It is a positive based reward system. That may sound like something we have all tried, but when I'M focused on this system, it works perfectly. The general basis is catch them being good AND praise them for it. Only give your energy to the POSITIVE. Negative behaviors receive a brief, objective timeout with no emotion from you. (I'm over-simplifying it here. The book has excellent detail.) The system works just as well for my neurotypical (and too smart for her own good) daughter.

I will say that the book can be a hard read. The authors seem to go in circles with examples and metaphors, but once I got through the entire book and started implementing it, it really worked well. This morning, I praised my son for everything he did right. He, in turn, used great manners and never needed a timeout. He didn't break a single rule!

I think I may have to look for this book to read during my vacation. Let us know how it goes carmel_mom.

[wekinzluvr56]

Yes, you're right. There are some complicated things that might be hard for others with disabilities. <3 I hope they change to help them. <3

i mean- webkinz change to help the children with disabilities.

[carmel_mom]

Originally Posted by MamaDeeDee

Our sad news is my cat, Fred is dying- renal failure.

MamaDeeDee, I am SO sorry. I know from experience how difficult that is to go through. Telepathic hugs to you and the kids!

In my own life right now, if it's not one thing, it's another. My son is doing better. Friday was an AWESOME day at school. He had two goods, one great and one awesome on his behavior sheet. We took him out to dinner!

So life is settling down with my son, for now. The foster cats appear to be healthy and are headed back to the shelter tomorrow, when we will get a new foster. At least I'm HOPING they are 100% healthy. They ARE tearing apart the guest bedroom.

Tonight I come to find out that my sister married an alcoholic that is emotionally abusing her. So the first thing I did was tell her how much I love her, the second thing - I gave her the contact info for Al-Anon. I just wish I lived closer and could be there for her physically!

I hope you are all having a quiet weekend. I'd wish you all a great weekend, but for most of us, I know quiet is more treasured!

[carmel_mom]

And another thing...

Originally Posted by Electrabuzz1

A fellow I used to work with has written, illustrated and published a childrens book on children with disabilities. It is definitely in Chapters in Canada and I believe it is being sold in the States as well now. The character in his book representing Autism is based on my son. There is even a picture of myself and my two boys having a picnic (not a real life picture).

Watch for it if you are in a book store. It is called "Half of Me" by William Bart.

You can order it here:

Half of Me

I did!

[WebbieHyper]

here is huggs to evrybody going thru a tough time- ((((((HUGS))))))))

hope yu have a better day!

[lovehorses]

http://www.kansasasd.com/KSASD/Socia...es_Page_1.html

look around that site as there is another page of social stories too


http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...ndHaveToDo.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...WordsStory.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/Respect1.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/Respect2.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...sDontHelp1.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...sDontHelp2.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...sDontHelp3.pdf

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uploads/calmdown.pdf
http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...o_teachers.pdf
http://www.speakingofspeech.com/uplo...ntrums_don.pdf

http://www.thewatsoninstitute.org/te...1226415747290j a ton of social stories there

Have you read about the five point scale?

A five will make me lose control or a 5 is against the law, and a book by the same author when my autism gets too big, try model me kids videos maybe or even make a video of kids behaving nicely etc. video modelling

use visuals

what about a visual schedule? a visual rule list, and reinforcers immediately for good behavvior, like good sitting do you want to work for goldfish or computer etc.



carmel mom here are some social story links that may help

[Electrabuzz1]

Originally Posted by Electrabuzz1

A fellow I used to work with has written, illustrated and published a childrens book on children with disabilities. It is definitely in Chapters in Canada and I believe it is being sold in the States as well now. The character in his book representing Autism is based on my son. There is even a picture of myself and my two boys having a picnic (not a real life picture).

Watch for it if you are in a book store. It is called "Half of Me" by William Bart.

Tomorrow we are going to a book signing where my DS will be presented with a copy of the book and the original pages written with him in mind framed. I am not sure how my son will deal with this attention but we will see how it goes.

Originally Posted by carmel_mom

You can order it here:

Half of Me

I did!

I hope that you enjoy the book carmel_mom!! Did you order it online? I cannot wait to hear your review.

We went to the book signing and DS posed for another picture that is going to be in the newspaper. He was a little upset and it took some coaxing. He does not want to be famous LOL!!

The author presented him with the original drawing for the page that represents him and a signed copy of the book. He also met the other true character represented in the book "Blake" which he enjoyed. There were a few other children with Autism who came to the book signing and they were all excited to meet my son. It was neat!!

[meowsrus]

We finally had a meeting yesterday. I was not allowed to say much in open forum- and still aren't- but let's just say that it was interesting. Something that we have been trying to get for quite a while, we have. And it is good to have back-up. It is sad that it took this much and something like this happening to my daughter for us to get the help we needed. But I can say that last year they still nigh have helped us, had the right people been able to get us in touch with these people. [hope that made sense!]

Well, the meeting was not able to be a 'real' IEP meeting, but we were still able to have part of our position known and we were also able to make sure it is known that our daughter will NOT be around this teacher. Apparently the state department of Education is 'watching' in a way. Which is, they are expecting to know some up-dates and the end result, but not have a finger in in everything that happens. So the district was trying to bs *how* and only state the result instead of their misleadings in getting a result. But that will bot be able to fully happen now.

So much of my time has been spent on my daughters, meetings, paperwork, calls, appointments and trying to get appointments set up, I have had no time to even get groceries in the past few weeks, so please don't feel that I am just not coming in. I am getting 3-5 hours of sleep a night for many reasons, but also because my daughter is having 2-3 nightmares a night on average. She is sleeping between them, but I try to wait to go to sleep (getting more things done) until I know I can't wait anymore to go to sleep because I know she needs someone there with her when she wanders areound her room when she wakes from them. Where I am in the house during these times, I can hear her when she is up from bed, so I can get to her easily when she needs me.

It would break your hearts to know her dreams and all of the fine details of that day, well, no I take that back- the ones who have gottten to know them have only gotten enraged. One friend said "now I understand why you cry most nights".


**BUT** that being said, I am so grateful and thankful that we have the help we have now for our daughter. That both of my girls know that there are people who are willing to help make sure things go how they are supposed to and help make them right when they don't. Both of my girls are worried that this will happen again to one of them.

"We want you to be able to trust us with your children." Those were the words spoken by the principal when my older daughter was going to start kindergarten, during kindergarten orientation day. That quote has echoed in my head for years now. How many times has this school, this district violated that trust is, well, sad.

Thursday is American Thanksgiving and I wish all of you a wonderful Holiday. I hope you have a day blessed with family, friends, and loads of quality time with those you care about. I know my dear friend in here will be here in the states, getting prepped for the mad dash of the shopping/friend spree I wish for you and your friends a happy, safe, and fun journey!!!!! Sending you huge hugs.

Ms. Buzz- I sent you an email a few days ago- go and check! LOL I'll be sending another out to you probably tomorrow afternoon, but forgive me if I get caught up on the phone and it isn't until evening/night.

About an hour after the meeting I found out that I am allergic to something in my house!! Only 2 things have changed, a cedar chest we found at a flea market (for very cheap because it needs all of the hinges replaced or fixed and needs refinished- they duck-taped it closed!!!) was brought inside and I used a new wood cleaner on the floor. One of those I am allergic to. Since I am here most of the day, BLECH!!! I am on a med now (ran out and had none yesterday!)- Claritin and such doesn't work, but sudafed and benadryl do- but benadryl knocks me out and sudafed makes me awake!!! LOL Sadly I took the 12 hour sudafed about 7 hours ago, but I am hoping I just might still force myself to sleep with it in me anyway. LOL

Things at the school are not resolved, but are evolving. I really can not say much out in an open forum and we can't wait for the holiday break so she can get one. Can I hear a YEA!! VACATION FOR HER!!!!

I still have to get the van in for recall before it catches fire! LOL The page for the recall says:

List of things that can happen, INCLUDING FIRE!!! <- just like that! LOL

I know, I know, it is serious. But come on... They go on to say that it is only *possible* not *probable* LOL

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday and I am grateful for each and every one of my friends I have met through here.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!! And Please be safe!!!