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Tag Archives: Behavioral Issues
Transportation Woes, Part 3
The following week, school was closed as Open Mind School (OMS) moved from Redwood City to Menlo Park. There were a few days of makeshift classes, but without a sensory gym, I didn’t think Katie would fare well, so I … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Change, Open Mind School, Special Education, Special Needs, Transitions, Transportation, Unplanned Life
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Transportation Woes, Part 2
No surprise, the taxi driver had problems on the bridge, which frankly, serves him right for waiting in the cash line. I wondered if this had been an issue in the past. Whenever my daughter had a problem, it usually … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Change, Open Mind School, Special Education, Special Needs, Transitions, Transportation, Unplanned Life
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Transportation Woes, Part 1
Open Mind School (OMS), the wonderful, magical place that embraced my daughter Katie last fall after years of struggle to find her an appropriate educational placement, is MOVING! The long awaited move to Menlo Park is finally happening—or will once … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Change, Open Mind School, Special Education, Special Needs, Transitions, Transportation, Unplanned Life
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What’s the Problem?
Sometimes I wonder, is the problem me? Other parents have special education horror stories, but no one has twisted tales of terror like mine and my daughter’s. Am I a bad parent? A poor advocate? But no, I have moved … Continue reading
Playing Chicken
The school district and I are playing a high stakes (at least for my daughter) game of chicken. They want me to sign an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)—read annual contract—committing my daughter Katie to the generic, for-profit, non-public school (NPS) … Continue reading
Summer School Surprise
Summer school. What can I say about summer school? In a word: amazing. I’m serious. After three agonizing months of what can only be described as a horrible in-home “school” experience, summer school has blown my mind. Quite possibly, it … Continue reading
Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 6
You thought I forgot about this story, didn’t you? Life (and death) intervened, but I’m back to finish this crazy tale. You can find the previous installments here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5. The … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, Child Protective Services, Fear, Single Parent, Unplanned Life
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Saying Goodbye
Katie and I are on vacation this week, getting some much needed rest and relaxation on the Sonoma Coast. This place has never failed to provide both of us with much needed solace and sanctuary. I am grateful that we … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Adjusting Course, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Failure, Gratitude, Loss, Monica Martinez, Parenting, Single Parent, Special Education, Unplanned Life
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Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 5
The female investigator from Child Protective Services (CPS) surveyed the broken items around us and asked whether my daughter received behavioral support. “I had a great in-home team who had been with us for years, but I lost them in … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, Child Protective Services, CPS, MediCal, Parenting, Regional Center, Single Parent, Special Education, Unplanned Life
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Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 4
I didn’t have long to wait. The investigator from Child Protective Services (CPS) arrived the next morning. She refused to enter until I put the dog outside, then paused at the door while she took in my new decor. The … Continue reading