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Tag Archives: Special Education
Just When I Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Part 1
My daughter Katie’s truce with Caroline was short-lived. Just a few days after spring break, we began having tantrums and random acts of property destruction that quickly escalated. Then came the fateful day that, for me (and I suspect Caroline), … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Anger, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Ignoring the Behavior, Instructional Control, Special Education, Unplanned Life
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Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
My twelve-year-old daughter has been out of school for over five weeks. Katie is loving her extended vacation but I’m frazzled and depleted. Thank goodness that I have Nate in my life. He’s been doing a tremendous amount of sitting … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Autism, Special Education, Transitions, Unplanned Life
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It’s Always Something
This past fall my daughter transferred back into our home school district. It’s a place that for whatever reason seems unable or unwilling to meet Katie’s needs. So now both she and I are in the throes of yet another … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Anger, Annie Sullivan, Autism, Change, Dyslexia, Fear, In-home Program, NPS, Sensory Integration, Special Education, Transitions, Unplanned Life
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Updating My Life Vision
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the past few months about why I’ve stalled on the law firm with heart. It’s been a bit of a mystery to me why I haven’t launched. Sure, I had a book … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Authenticity, Autism, Change, Dating, Goals, Life Vision, Special Education, Unplanned Life, Writing Life
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More IEP Woes
My daughter Katie has once again been kicked out of school, from a special day class no less, in our oh-so-wonderful district. Apparently autism is too mysterious and complicated for them to handle. Or something like that. This time around … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Autism, Behavioral Issues, FAPE, IEPs, Special Education, Suspension, Unplanned Life
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IEP Woes
It’s January, so that means it’s IEP month. (IEPs are individualized education plans for children with special needs.) Actually, this time around, the IEP madness started in December 2015. It’s a triennial year, so my daughter was subjected to lots … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Autism, Behavioral Issues, IEPs, Sensory Integration, Special Education, Suspension, Unplanned Life
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Contemplating the Future
There are things that parents of children with autism simply have to accept–whether they like it or not. Some things are easier to tolerate than others. For example, my daughter will never pepper me with annoying, incessant questions, talk too … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Acceptance, Autism, Letting Go, Milestones, Sensory Integration, Special Education, Speech Delay, Transitions, Unplanned Life
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Hello Middle School–An Update
My daughter Katie has been in middle school a little over a week. I am happy to report that despite my initial fears, things appear to be working out. She had a great first day. A great first week, in … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Annie Sullivan, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Change, Expectations, Fear, Gratitude, Middle School, Social skills, Special Education, Speech Delay, Transitions, Unplanned Life
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Hello Middle School
This week Katie started 6th grade. My daughter is in middle school. How did that happen? I know it’s a cliche, but time is simply flying by, galloping forward and gaining speed. My baby is no longer my baby, or … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Advocacy, Annie Sullivan, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral Issues, Change, Expectations, Fear, Helen Keller, Middle School, Special Education, Transitions, Unplanned Life, Waiting
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The Things We do For Love
The other day I was driving home and saw a man in the middle of the street. It wasn’t a lazy, neighborhood street, but a congested four-lane arterial. He was cutting across mid-way between intersections, weaving through traffic. It was … Continue reading
Posted in Autism, My Life
Tagged Addiction, Advocacy, Autism, Blame, Choice, Experts, IEPs, Love, Special Education, Special Needs, Trust, Unplanned Life
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