HomeSchool Resources and TidBits (SpecNeeds)

We recently learned that our son's ILC classroom is GONE! Not sure what the road will be like ahead, but we are trying to pick up the pieces and find a pathway for his education and journey. Not sure what to feel, but we are definitely concerned and disappointed with how this was all handled, in regards to students who are autistic and have or need lots of academic support and accommodations.    At the end of the day, all that matters is that we find a way to educate our autistic teenage son the best way we know how, hopefully with the school district's guidance and options/resources available to him and us as well. Keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best in a situation that could have gone better.      Transitions. Disappointment. Hopeful outcomes and a way forward.  Sincerely,  ~Mandu

Have a Happy 4th of July 2019 with your Family Today!

Home cooking when you are in a rush can be really stressful if you try to do it all yourself. But if your children are special needs, this skill is invaluable to their well being and quality of life. So you need lots of patience and time blocks when it is time to enlist them into some cooking with visuals and great pictures. So that the recipes are easy to understand and are less likely to cause any type of emergency set back.  Safety First The most obvious issue, especially when it comes to special needs, is safety in the kitchen.  They should always wash their hands well before engaging in any meal preparation, have an apron to protect their clothes and a work station away from any hot oven or stove.  Invest in the Right Equipment Be sure to have kid-safe mixing bowls and measuring cups. Also consider getting a chopper with a plunger. All they have to do is put the food under it and press down with both hands. Make it FUN Teach them fun and intere...

Summer 2019 5 More Weeks of school until Summer...ready to Dive In:-) We are all anticipating the start of summer, especially because there are lots of transitions and change coming our way. Our oldest will be a senior in high school, while our youngest son, who is autistic will be in eighth grade.  We have no clue once again what summer will look like when it comes to activities and keeping him occupied, especially since there are not very many opportunities geared towards him and his skill level socially or emotionally.  My plans are to keep him busy with workbooks, going to the park, ice cream breaks and keeping ourselves cool and comfortable. Late nights, movies, and all of the above.  What are your plans for the summer? How do you keep your autistic or special needs child or children busy? I would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts. Until then be blessed and take it one day at a time.  M.

Another year has gone by and your kids are getting bigger and maybe even more sassy, how are you handling all of this change and growth? As my mother and father would tell me, 'Parenthood is NOT for cowards'!  As I think back on the year of 2018, our son grew by leaps and bounds emotionally, but really struggled in other areas of his development. I have a bunch of things that I would like to sell and/or give away, regarding workbooks and other educational stuff. I have not got them all put together as of yet, but once I have time, I will post it up here for you to take a gander. Thanks so much for stopping by and I will see you soon. 

Our son had a recent PT checkup at a local children's hospital. We are so thankful that we were able to finally be off that waiting list over a year ago. Especially since we had been on it for over 2 years! With that said, his Physical Therapist says that he no longer has to come in every 6 months due to increased progress. Yay! As long as we all keep up his exercises and increase his strength, then we will no longer have to come in every 6 months. So now just Yearly checkups.  We have come so far on this journey and are thankful for how far our son has come.                                          Victory Dance! To keep our son's strength going and progressing, we use these tools below to help get his flat feet stronger. Wherever you are in advocating for your special needs son or daughter know that you are not alone. I hope that these tools below can help yo...

Well, It is officially summer for our kids as of yesterday. Although we are excited as any family should be after the year ends we still have lots of questions as to why our autistic son has not progressed beyond a third grade level across ALL subjects.  Life keeps moving as we are sometimes overwhelmed by it all. But with every frustration in our lives in the quest of advocating and making it happen for our autistic son, there needs to be a plan in place to counter act the inaction of  public school education. You have to understand that it was not very long ago that our special needs children were not allowed in the very institutions we are fighting today just to support our children academically and inclusively. How much progress is enough? Is is right to move a special needs child forward to the next grade, when it is emphatically and apparently clear that there has been very little academic progress if at all? Only you, as a parent and advocate for your special ne...