April - Autism Speaks

**Pixie** · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:21 am Post subject:

Another way to donate virtrual test drive
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"Throw it out the window"- Jacob

**Joanne Maria** · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:14 am Post subject:

Click here: Train Ride http://pixiesplace.com/trainride/

Please follow this link BE SURE TO CONTINUE THE RIDE WHEN THE SLIDE SHOW IS DONE...it is fro AUTISM
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"I didn't want to be the monster! I didn't want to kill this room full of harmless children! I didn't want to lose everything I'd gained
in a lifetime of sacrifice and denial!
I wouldn't! She couldn't make me.
*EDWARD-Midnight Sun*

**Shimmerskin** · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:59 am Post subject:

I just wanted to say thanks for making this the focus for April, and to all the ladies who shared their heartfelt stories. As someone who often encounters or works with Autistic children in the school setting, I hope I may come to you for advice when I need it. I find that public school educators could be better-trained in dealing with issues that can come up for these little guys. Sometimes I'm not sure I'm doing the right things for them.

I was really nervous yesterday when state testing started and I got my 27 RSP students ready (we have more, but these were "mine"). One boy is not actually receiving academic services from us, he's on a 504 (Behavior) plan in the regular classroom, but he is taking modified assessments with me. Anyway, he arrived without his one-on-one aide. She had a death in the family and will be out for several days. This was unexpected, and I was worried because I don't know this boy well. I don't know all the little important things unique to him, and I was worried for his tension level because his aide's absence was a shock to his system on an already stressful day (because of testing, being in a different room, changes in routine, etc). I was on my own, unable to leave the class unattended should he need to go out and "walk it off" as he sometimes does with his aide. So I talked to him about these things and we decided on a plan that he was comfortable with. I am so proud of him because after a bit of a rocky start he was able to settle in and work well on his test, and he did great again today. He had two "moments" that didn't disrupt the testing environment too greatly, and he was able to pull himself out of it both times and get back on our plan pretty quickly. I don't dare anticipate tomorrow, but even if the rest of the week should finally prove too much for him, he's had yesterday and today, right? I think he has accomplished a lot under what are, for him, very trying circumstances.

These children are so brave. Every day they face untold difficulties, surrounded by people who don't understand them or what being at school feels like to them. And they have to do it day after day after day. We all have challenging days, but for them every one is a challenge to be faced and conquered. Sometimes I picture them as climbing a mountain...and ahead is an endless vista of mountains still to be climbed. Mt. Monday, Mt. Tuesday, Mt. Wednesday...not every day is Everest but there's hardly one that's not an uphill climb when you have Autism. Bless these children and their courage, and their families and their courage.
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**mommavamp** · Newborn Joined: 13 Feb 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Ohio

Just a quick thanks to those who have shared your inspiring stories. My nephew was diagnosed within the past year, so we are all still learning about Autism. I tried to get his mom to read the TW series after I had first read them but she said no, I have to read all my books on Autism first. Smile

Lizlvsmeyerbks · Newborn Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 19

So connected in so many ways. It is a blessing to have a place to see we are not alone...whether it is the books, daily nonsense, or even autism.
Our 1st child didn't speak until he was 3. We could not have a sitter, and we lived away from all family, so with the exception of visits, it was just us.

Asperger's is so strange in that way.
He is 12 now, and the changes are night and day. I will post at some point more. With school ending, time is short.

Thank you for sharing.