I have never blogged before but I am looking forward to it!
I am currently a Homemaker with 4 children, 1 of which was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (mild) and Autism at the age of 2 and that is when My journey in Early Childhood Studies, Education, Intervention and Advocacy began. Although my degree is not in Education, the many years of caring for our son enabled me to learn how to care for him through research, trial and error. Those years how taught me how Vital it is to identify children at risk for Special Needs services early in their life and have seen the difference in my own son. Because I have been So blessed to be an at home Mom with our son, I am compelled to give back, so that other parents who share our journey may avoid some of the obstacles we encountered along the way. My goal is to reach as many Parents/Caregivers with this message...When a Parent/Caregiver Denies a NEED in their Child, they have become the Greatest Obstacle to that child reaching their fullest potential. Therefore, my new journey begins with my Masters in Early Childhood Studies, but that's just the Tip of the Iceberg!!
Dianna I really enjoyed reading your post. I am proud of for you positive attitude. I have a child in my class that I believe has autism but was not diagnosed with it. It very hard to do circle time reading or anything of that matter. He is into everything. During circle time and reading time he will be in the middle ofinger the carpet screaming and yelling and talking plus his arms fling every where. He now screams and yells at us. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHey Melissa,
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I would strongly suggest is to go to your school's Staffing Coordinator (or Administrator if there's not a SC) an express your concerns so that they can observe and then recommend an evaluation to the parents. Without parental consent and a diagnosis, your hands are tied with regards to what you can and can't do in the classroom. I have a few questions:
1. Have you had a conference with the parents about his behavior?
2. Do the parents appear aware he may have a disability?
3. Is he verbal and if so, does he appear to have a full vocabulary or limited?
4. Is he academically on grade level?
5.. Is he on any meds and if so do you know what kind?
From the info you gave me, it sounds like there may a couple things going on with him...1. his activity level indicates he may be ADHD, 2. Flinging his arms may indicate that he is somewhere on the spectrum and also that may have sensory issues.
Now, that being said, is there anything he really likes? We have used reinforcers (food, toys, games, computer) with fading quite a bit to help the kids remain in task. They can be used in an First/Then scenario.."first we do..., then we do .....which works for typical as well as atypical children.
Melissa, I could type for days..if you like, give me a call and we can speak in more detail so you can tell me what all you have tried, etc! I am more than happy to help!! I will email you my cell number!!
I have talked with mom about my concerns however, did not talk to her about me thinking he has autismall because we cannot bring that kind of stuff up. He does not not talk. He talks more babyish he cant hold a conversatin but he will copy what you say. Now he has learned my name and can say it very well. He spoke a sentence for the first time today. When he started he couldn't use the bathroom he was in a pull up and had no kind of self help skills. He is not currently on any kind of medication.he is develop mentally delayed. Mom does not seemed concerned because he can use technology just fine. However, she says that he can count but how can he count if he can't talk and talking is her concern. He like play dough and we sit him there all the time. When the children go into centers he is every where getting into everything.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, he is definitely on the spectrum and sensory as well. He REALLY needs to be evaluated. Do you have a special needs classroom at your school? What is the protocol for evaluating children you all suspect have some type of disability?
ReplyDeleteNo we don't have a special needs classroom in my center. I am a head start teacher and we can have special needs children however, I can have 20 children which I don't think helps him. We have behavioral incident reports and we have to do this papers to get him scene by a mental health special but thode papers don't have what I am observing.
ReplyDeleteSo how do you all identify those children and get them evaluated?
ReplyDeleteWeek 2
ReplyDeleteI have always loved the Cat in the Hat series. There is no particular rhyme or reason except they were exceptionally imaginative stories and as a child, I had a wild imagination so I would pretend my eggs were green when I was eating them or that microscopic "Whos" were watching me from Whoville.
I have read and seen many stories about children, but none have touched my heart as much as my own son, Xavier. You all have read enough of my posts to know they are fueled with passion and determination for not only him to be the successful, independent adult I know he will be but for other children to enjoy that same success that I hope to provide in the very near future.