Good afternoon dzhope!

We are so happy you have found the new forum and took a moment to tell us about your wonderful children. Again, you have your hands full. I am sorry, could you please tell me GAD? I know most of them but could not get it.

I agree with you how the right school district, the right IEP and the right people all have to fall in place in order for our children to succeed! Might I suggest the state run advocacy group to help you. It is nice because you time and emotions are no longer in the struggle with IEP and people involved. Yes it matters and you are involved but they are like a hired gun. Best of all, It is free. Let me know if you would like me to look up the group in your state. My DH also works for the local school but DS is only 3 so we have a few years.

You are so lucky to be teaching the HI program. Do you teach exact or C? I know C but in the end, made my DS talk. Where did you study? How many years have you signed?

I thank you again dzhope for coming and sharing with us on the SN forum and look forward to the suggestions, discussions, stories, laughs and cries that we call share on this forum.

April

Hi Everyone,

I'm Lisa, mom to a 4 year old DD with Sensory Integration and involuntary Breath Holding Seizures. Annika is bright and smart, and truly the joy of my life.

Unfortunately I consider myself a bit of an expert in the Breath Holding Seizure department, but I'm really hoping to learn from others with knowledge of SI. I posted separtely requesting SI information, as aside from speech therapy and what I can do on my own at home, we're getting nowhere.

Blessings,
Lisa

Hi Lisa and welcome to the forum.

I had just read your SI post and was pondering a good answer for you about SI and especially eating.

Don't you find it strange how we all become experts in the area that our children needs are? I think we all have done it out of sheer survival. Unfortunately, the programs and schools and specialist seem to take forever to get on board and even then the information can be not what you need or you may need more help. I know first hand your frustration.

I am so glad you are here and we can all help you find answers and support,

Warmest Wishes,
April

Hurray! I'm so glad this forum was started! I'm looking forward to learning about all of you and all of our special children.

My ds is 9 and has CAPD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder. He is Learning Disabled, has fluctuating hearing loss, receives Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. He's in fourth grade this year and we tend to struggle just to make C's and D's. I'm learning how cruel other students can be, on the playground, on the bus, whenever there isn't an adult within hearing distance.

My dd is 11 and has a heart condition. She's a "fainter" and usually goes down when we least expect it. She's doing better although Middle School is very scary! (Stairs, PE Classes, etc)>

I was so excited to see this new subject forum and start learning about everyone!

Thank you for posting about the SI Sensory Integration subject. My son has this, and I was highly recommended "The Out of Sync Child". This book was such an eye opener. I actually started crying because it described my child so well and someone finally understood! It helped me understand him so much better. Once we understand why our children do certain things (screaming when other kids are playing loudly or when there's an argument), it helps us redirect them so much better, and helps us look for the signs of a meltdown. This book can actually help someone whose child is "typical", also, in its suggestions. It gets dry in the middle, but is sooo informative, it's worth sticking with it. There are two others in the series, too: The Out of Sync Child Has Fun (they tend to play differently than "typical" children, and Teaching the Out of Sync Child. Your local bookstore can order them or may have them. I get a lot off of Barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Lorie, I can totally relate to the playground issues. In fact, I have asked for a monitor be near my child at all times to avoid problems. I don't want them to hover, but to be within earshot. The school must give that to you if you have a child with a disability. In my case, the teachers are working hard, but we will be readdressing it next week, as he reported something else to me today. In addition, our school district has prevention programs (I think it was started after Columbine). What is so great is that it teaches focus skills, how to make friends, the difference between tattling and telling for protection and bullying (among other things.) Our school district makes noises about having zero tolerance for bullying and I am holding them to it. We are the best advocates for our children; often the only advocates. If you think something is needed, fight for it. School districts are tasked with saving money, but their biggest task is educating our children. A frightened, upset child cannot learn effectively. Try to work from the bottom up, but if need be, work from the top down. We are here as a shoulder, and hopefully to share info that we've all gleaned. I'm on the warpath now on this bullying issue.

Wow, I go away for a week and finally the Special needs foum is here! Yeah!

I'm Debbie, mom to 8 year old twin boys - one DS with high functioning autism, sensory intergration and ADD all wrapped in one very loveable little boy. My other DS has sensory issues (low fine and oral motor tone) and the ever lovely ADD. They are both in 3rd grade, my DS with autism is in a self-contained class half the day and a mainstream the other half.

My current struggles are educational appropriateness (what really is the right setting - should I push more or not), making sure we get all the services we need and understanding how to handle the social stuff. We are in the Raleigh area in NC and have excellent resources available. I work with UNC/Chapel Hill's TEACCH program which is absolutely amazing. I am lucky to be where I am and have the services my son needs available for him.

Life with children with special needs is always an adventure, and I am glad we finally have a forum here on mommysavers where we can support one another. I look forward to learning more about all of you.

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Debbie

"Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves." --Benjamin Franklin

Hi...I'm Lori. One of my triplet daughters has mild CP (spastic diplegia). She wears AFOs and is scheduled for her 4th round of Botox injections in her right calf on Halloween.

I am also a speech therapist in our local school district. I am very excited to see this new forum up and running.

Lori
Mommy to ggg triplets born on 1-30-01

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Lori

Mommy to ggg triplets born on 1-30-01

Hi, Lorie. What are AFOs, for those of us, like me, who don't know all the acronyms? I don't want to alienate others by not letting them in on our "secrets". Thanks!

AFOs are ankle foot orthotics. They are braces that she wears on her feet and legs. They stop a few inches below the knee.

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Lori

Mommy to ggg triplets born on 1-30-01

Thank you for explaining AFO. Is she expected to always have to wear these, or do they think therapies (and surgeries?) will help her lose them? How often does she need the botox? Does this work well? Are there side effects? I'm so glad you're here, too, with your professional knowledge. My son is just now starting speech therapy at school, not for words coming out, but for processing words coming in. I am hoping it will help him, though, in understanding that he doesn't have to blurt everything that is in his busy mind.

How do you handle TRIPLETS (especially at this active age!) and a career as you have, plus working with your special needs child? Do you have outside help, use your dh or are you just superwoman? It's hard for me with just having a full time baby, let alone trying to work with ds. Homework today was horrible. He was trying so hard to understand telling time, in a pattern format, which he's actually good at, but she was back there crying for me the whole time. Of course, she's sick, and that made it worse. Ugh!