Autism

[luvsterriers]

Anyone has autism, or has a child with autism?:confused:


Anna

[lisarb]

I have a 12 yr old son with autism/Asperberger's. He has come a long way since the early years when our days and nights were filled with therapy appts. He is the coolest kid and the biggest joy of my life. If you ever need to talk I'm here!! Lisa

[Preacher-Girl]

I have a brother with profound autism and he has severe epilepsy. He grew up at home and still lives with my parents. PM me anytime!

Angela

[luvsterriers]

Lisarb-

I also have aspergers syndrome and learning disability. Does your son struggle at school? Does he come home and cry to you and tell you that teachers or classmates were mean to him? Does he have friends?

Anna

[tigger_gal]

My son has Autisum/Asbergers, and FASD what can we help you with from our own experiences?

[leelee88]

My step son has Autism/PDD..He is 14 and is going through Many struggles right now with school and not being able to make friends.. I am here if you need to talk.. (((hugs)))

[luvsterriers]

:( That is so sad that your step son doesn't have friends. He's so young! I remember the teenage years coming home crying because someone picked on me. Still to this day I have my crying episodes and I'm out of college. I wished I was home schooled and took online college courses to avoid the teasing. I rather work from home as well to not deal with gossip at work and parties. I hate parties even with families. I can't stand them at all. Just the whole communication thing is a struggle. Plus the IC gets to me. I wish I can find a job where I can work from home. I would love that.

BTW, what is PDD?
Anna

[tigger_gal]

I am not sure what the letters are but Jake has been tagged with that too. I pulled out all his paper work and had a few things in there that I have not posted. I know Ronda knows we talk about our sons often. She just had a new granddaughter born last night, so when she gets on line and sees this she will let you know.

I fully understand how you feel my husband and I are taking FASD Triumph classes to learn about the childrens dx. We are adopting so it took forever to have someone hear us out to get a right dx.

[ICNDonna]

I did a quick search and came up with "pervasive developmental disorder" --- not sure how to define the term, however.

Donna

[luvsterriers]

For those of you who have autism or have children with autism, did you ever try home school? I think if I was home schooled, perhaps I would be happier today. Home school life I assume is much better because of the number of students. I know someone who was home schooled by her mom. It was just her and her younger brother. They also have colleges especially for learning disabled in Vermont and one in Florida. That is great. They should offer more colleges for students with autism or learning disabilies so that they too can succeed!

[VickiB]

I didn't home school my kids but many people I know in this area do. It seems to work well as long as they make sure the kids get plenty of other social experience from outside.

I suppose the teasing, bullying, etc might just happen at these other social events then. I don't know there's any getting away from it.

Anyway, it seems a lot of these parents chosing to home school also chose 4-H for one of their kid's social outlets. As a 4-H leader, I have to say that in general, the kids certainly weren't lacking in manners or education! I was impressed and usually found them much easier to work with in comparison to those from public school! However, it was not uncommon that a home-schooler appeared to be lagging behind their peers in social skills. That kind of scared me on their behalf. We have to learn to interact smoothly, "fit in" to put it bluntly, with others in this world!

Vicki

[vm]

I work in an early intervention system (kids ages birth to three) and I evaluate and work with children with autism in their homes. PDD stands for Pervasive Developmental Disorder. It is the broader "umbrella" term that autism falls under along with Rett's disorder, Asperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and PDD-NOS (not otherwise specified). All those disorders are types of pervasive developmental disorders.

You can read more here:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_whatis_PDD

[mish]

I have 2 boys 12 and 10. My 10yr old is HFA (high functioning autism). He was dx'd at age 4. He is in a regular 4th grade classroom, and goes to resource, speech therapy and a social skills class at school. Academically, he is behind, but still progressing. He likes being alone, so he doesn't have any friends. He doesn't seem bothered by this as of yet. Some days at school are hard, but he has never come home crying from the other kids picking on him. From what he tells me, his classmates help him and remind him when he forgets something.

I do dread middle school though. My oldest is in middle school this year, and there is so much responsibility for the kids to take on. I know his IEP will have to have alot of changes in it for him to succeed in middle school.

I'm divorced and work from home, so I have alot on my plate right now.

[Dolphjoy]

I'm not sure how to say this or share but I want to say that I'm a special education teacher who has worked with individuals with autism, PDD, asperger's, Fragile X syndrome for over 12 years. It's not an easy thing for families to have to deal with,let alone the individual themselves. If there is any way I can help, please let me know. Please feel free to PM me any time if you need to bounce stuff that is happening with IEP's, stuff that's not happening but is supposed to be happening with IEP's, etc.

I will try to help.

Thanks

[tigger_gal]

I think it is actually better for the children to go to school and learn how to function with there disorders out side of home and in the public enviroment. I am not against home schooling. However I think it is very important to give yourself a mental break during the day. My oldest will be 21, she is adhd and ocd. We went thru all the ieps and fun stuff. Little did I know when she went to college I would be adopting my niece and nephew. Both FASD, Jake has other issues, to include a brain based disibility. Every day is very hard. Going into a store is a struggle in its self. You have to have a never ending amount of patience, and you have to know its ok, to break down and cry. Daily, if needed. Laugh when you want to cry, and smile when you want to screm in front of them. These children need structure, a scheduled routine, and constant supervision.

[lisarb]

Mish,
I know each child is different, but my son has high functioning autism and is finishing his first year of middle school. I too dreaded it so much but he has done great! At his middle school they have something called LRC for learning resource room which is basically a study hall for a little over an hour with a special education teacher and an aid and maybe 8-10 kids at most where they help him organize his classwork and start on his homework. It has been a godsend for us to keep him on track with his general education classes. He doesn't have any friends because he prefers to be alone, but the kids seem to treat him well, I think the kids are used to seeing more kids on the ASD spectrum in the general education classes so they all get along. I wish your son well. Lisa

[Briza]

As a middle school science teacher I had HFA and Asperger's Syndrome students (among students with many other disabilities) who were mainstreamed not only for science and social studies, but sometimes for all of the core classes and instead of electives they had special service classes as indicated on their IEPs. I will say that tho these students often did not have many or any close friends, they did not seem to be disturbed by that and nor did the other students in the class pick on them. If anything, I found that my students with HFA or Asperger's did exceptionally well in regular classes and scored very high on State standardized tests and were often the envy of the other students because of their very good grades. Do these students have very special needs and often need very special attention in a public school setting? Absolutely! But good teachers are experienced and up to the task... and just from my experience feel that if nothing else, being in the least restrictive environment, interacting with other students of similar age regardless of skill and ability level, is extremely important for learning the social skills necessary to deal with the "real" world. And yes, public school is very much like the real world...in the real world we are not sheltered, and in public schools, students experience exactly that (meaning NOT a sheltered environment), regardless of disability or not. JMHO :)

[amaranthe]

My 1st cousin, Tammy, (who is also a good friend of mine), has a 15 yr old daughter who had been diagnosed with PDD/HFA. Tammy left her daughter in the public school system throughout elementary school. However, since Tammy didnt work, she volunteered at the school almost every day for at least 2-3 hours, and frequently stayed there all day. Her daughter had several special education classes, but was also mainstreamed for others. Tammy spent a large portion of her volunteer hours in her daughter's classrooms, acting as sort of an assistant teacher, (but without pay.) She would help not only her daughter, but also all the other kids in the room. The teacher's also had her do alot for them, like grading papers, making copies, doing bullitin boards, helping kids one on one with reading and computers, etc. Other times, she'd stay in the library, restocking the books.

She started doing this, after her 2 other children and their friends told her about how her daughter was being made fun of on the bus, on the playground, in the halls, the bathroom, and in the cafeteria etc. every, single day. (And those are just the places that her siblings and her friends heard and saw it!) None of them were in her class, so they have no idea what she endured there. She was afraid to tell her Mom for fear it would get worse for her. After all, much like with you, her teachers frequently overheard it all happen, but just stood by, doing nothing about it. Also, just as with you, she came home crying every day. Each day

The teasing and bullying went on for several years. Most of the time the school did nothing (despite the fact that there were usualy witnesses. On the rare occasions when the school actually DID punish the offenders, their friends would make it even harder on her for "being a tattle-tail." Then, the other problem was that after the offender's (short memory) of his/her soft punishment was soon forgotten, then they'd revert right back to their old ways of mistreating and harrassing her, only after the offender had been punished "on account of her", the cruelty would always be much worse! Even when the bad kids were taken out of the classroom for a few days to be sent to in house detention, there was always a new bully ready to step up as the new King or Queen of the Cruel, until the 1st little abuser returned to resume his rightful place as the Alpha dog. . :(

It got to the point where the little girl had to use a hall pass each day to go to the restroom, because everytime she'd go in a stall with other class members present, they would kick open her stall's door, so they could laugh at her, as she tried to urinate or defacate.

Tammy and her husband couldnt afford private school and were fearful the abuse would probobly resume no matter where she transferred anyway. They also didnt want to homeschool her because they felt it was important for her to be around other children for social reasons. So, since Tammy was unable to come up with an acceptable alternative, she decided to start volunteering there, so she could at least be near at recess, in the gym, in the lunchroom, etc., to prevent her child from being bullied, teased, or otherwise harrassed.

This arrangement lasted until her daughter completed elementary school. After that, they went ahead and decided to homeschool her. Though she could still see some social benefit to a public education, she said that in her daughter's case, she never succeeded in making any friends (whether Tammy was at school, or when Tammy took a break from volunteering for a few months (on the advice of her daughter's Psychiatrist). She said there was also no really noticiable social difference in her for the first 1 1/2 years when her daughter had first started school, (prior to Tammy's volunteering.)

Her daughter (now 15), is exposed to other children her age through their local Homeschooling association and church group. Tammy has also seemingly constantly kept her daughter enrolled in several extra-curricular activities in which she shows interest, such as piano and swimming lessons, a pottery making class, and drama classes at our local theatre. Tammy has told me that out of all the options she has tried, she and her husband both feel that the current arrangement of home schooling supplemented by several outside extra-curricular activites, has had the most positive effect on her daughter, academically, socially, and emotionally.

I have a couple of aquaintances in additon to my cousin who have a child (or children) who have been diagnosed with PDD, Autism and/or Aspberger's Syndrome. Every, single one of them are such amazing women! They each possess a seemingly endless supply of patience, kindness, strength and endurance! It's as though the Lord gave them extra supplies of these staples to deal with the cards life has dealt them. I have never encountered anyone as intuitive, protective or as nurturing as those mothers. It reduces me to a puddle of guilt when I turn introspective and realize how comparatively little patience I often have with my children when they try my nerves.

My heart goes out to you, Anna. I am so sorry you had to endure all of that. Children can be so cruel....much more so than even adults, I believe. Like everyone else, I am sure that your early experiances of being mistreated by others shaped the woman you are today.

Unfortunately, scars like that just never really heal. However, if we are fortunate, they may fade. I pray that yours will, and that someday (hopefully soon,) you will be able to have peace.

Also, I hope it helps to know that what Briza said is absolutely true.....EVERY child/person has memories of being teased and or riduculed by other kids, (though admittedly probobly not to the extent or extreme that you endured.)

I think for me, the most disturbing thing in your post was that even your teachers particpated in this and/or condoned it!) I mean, as cruel as children can be, we can look back as adults and realize that they WERE just children who had no idea of the long-term effects of their cruel actions. But, hearing that even your teachers participated in this and/or condoned it is absolutely unconscionable!

(Not that you asked), but if that happened to me, I would write a letter to each teacher that did this to you, explaining your condition, what they said or did to you, how it made you feel at the time, how it caused others to feel it was okay to mistreat you due to the teacher's example, and then tell them about the impact these events have had on your life. If anyone witnessed these events, I would also list the names of these witnesses. (Though, I'd probobly call the witnesses first and see if they remember what happened.) Then, I would also put my return address on the envelope, and include my phone #, just in case they had want to explain, (on that .001% chance it was a misunderstanding) and/or in case they wanted to call or write to apologize.

After, mailing the letters to each of them, I would wait 2 weeks for each of them to reply (either by letter or phone), (even though you wont be requesting an apology), but rather are simply explaining what they did years ago and how they made you feel. You should also tell them that you are writing because you want to make them more aware of the impact they have on others and that the impact (whether positive), or in your case, negative, can be life-long. (You might also want to enclose one of your old school pictures so they will remember exactly which one of their former students who they mistreated is writing to them now. After all, anyone that cruel probobly does stuff like this to some kid or even several kids everyday, so it might be hard for them to keep track of just one particular kid that they hurt.)

After waiting 2 weeks, if no one wrote or called to sincerely apologize for the pain they caused, then I would get down to business.

I'd start by sending copies of those letters to the principal and Superintendant of your former school. (Even if they dont work their any longer, it might be helpful in keeping the school from giving them a good reference.) Not only THAT, you know darn well, that it would be a huge topic of gossip in the school, taking no time flat to spread all around.

If any of the offending teachers changed to a new school (which you could find out online or possibly thru the Board of Education), then, I'd also send a copy to their new principal and new Superintendant. I'd also send copies to the Board of Education (one copy for each member), and the President of the PTA, (as well as all members of the PTA). Then, I'd request a hearing in front of the Board of Education, asking for the dismissal of these teachers.

Please dont confuse this plan with revenge, b/c it isnt intended that way at all. But, rather, I view it as a necessary evil to get rid of these bad seeds so they will no longer be in a position of authority over the very people they have been abusing.

(Also, if you ever heard them do this to other kids too, I'd look up those former students too, and ask them to do the same and to accompany you to the hearing in front of each teacher's Board of Education to ask for their dismissal. After all, you dont want them doing to other students what they did to you. Also, you dont want anyone else to have to carry around the kind of scars you are for the rest of their life, (especially when you can do something to keep them from EVER doing this to a kid again!) What they did was a horrible abuse of their power and completely inexcusable! (Can ya tell this subject has me fired me up?!!!)

Obviously, I think those teachers should be fired, but if "the powers that be" wont do that, then I believe you minimally deserve a sincere apology. I belive the apology should be as public as the "teasing" or emotional abuse was.

If the offending teachers did not apologize at all, then I would make sure that as many parents as possible would hear about these teachers by also sending the parents a copy of the incidents that happened to me (and others, with their permisson, of course), and the names of the witnesse. (If I didnt know a parent, Or, I would have one of my friend's that knew them call and tell them, asking each to sign a petition to get the teacher's fired or formally reprimanded for doing this to children in their care. By the time I would be done, every year when it's time to sign up for classes, EVERY Parent that had heard what happened, would flat-out REFUSE to allow their children to take the classes of those teachers!

After getting a ton of names on the petition, I'd send copies to the Principal and the PTA, Then, I'd take it to theSuperintendant and the Board of Education, (accompanied by my witnesses and others who had this happen to them and their witnesses.) Then, I'd request an open, formal meeting to discuss our concerns about their employing teachers who do and/or have done these things. it with you (and/or send copies to the principal(s), PTA, Superintendant of schools, and other parents.

I may sound hard core to some of you, but personally, I believe that as bad as it is for one kid to do this to another, it is an entirely different matter for a teacher to do this to one of our children. That's because they are respected and revered. Children look to them daily as the source of all truth and knowledge, so when a teacher makes a derogatory comment, it may be viewed with much more weight and may even be believed by not only the other students, but in the worse possible cases, it may be belived by the child!


Again, Anna, I am so sorry this happened to you! But, I hope you can see from my post that I dont think you (or anyone else) deserved to be treated this way. Those teachers took a bad problem (Asberger's and Autism) and made it a million times worse! I mean, you were already naturally inclined to be a bit anti-social, and more of a loner....someone who has difficulty forging intimate bonds with friends or others, and now, due to their abuse, you have become even MORE distrustful of others and even more of a loner. GRRR!!

But, I will definately say a prayer for you that God will grant you peace about this, and that He will erase this negativity from your mind and relace it with positive thoughts and associations from your past and present instead.

Sending huge hugs of sympathy and support,
Amaranthe

[VickiB]

I don't know if I'd say "hard core", Amaranthe, but you're certainly not the sit back and ignore type!

The world would be a much better place if people would step forward on behalf of others when bullying, teasing, etc happens. If there were a bit less acceptance and ignoring of the problem because it's seen as simply an unavoidable part of childhood life. I do think this is getting better. At least schools & other social organizations are talking about it now!

Still, I would be careful about what one does. Writing a letter to the individual teacher (or whoever), especially if they're still in a supervision of kids role, might help to heal the personal scars and even bring about change to help prevent someone else from experiencing the same. But once it goes beyond that, to another school board, PTA, etc, you may be setting yourself up for legal trouble!

Vicki

[amaranthe]

Actually, if something happens to me, I can blow off the steam and then ignore it. But, if someone does something to my kids deliberately, then they sure better watch out!

And as or the legal issues, that wouldnt bother me one bit either as long as I had witnesses. In that case, I would tell them to bring it on! I'd spend every dime I had to make them sorry if they hurt one of my kids by doing that.

You are right. Society overlooks to many things these days. Things people ought to overlook, they make a big deal out of, but things that should be addressed, people back down. It just doesnt make sense, does it? But, as for me, for a teacher to participate in the bullying and picking on a disabled child, that is something I could not and would not back down from addressing. But, maybe that's just me!I don't know if I'd say "hard core", Amaranthe, but you're certainly not the sit back and ignore type!

The world would be a much better place if people would step forward on behalf of others when bullying, teasing, etc happens. If there were a bit less acceptance and ignoring of the problem because it's seen as simply an unavoidable part of childhood life. I do think this is getting better. At least schools & other social organizations are talking about it now!

Still, I would be careful about what one does. Writing a letter to the individual teacher (or whoever), especially if they're still in a supervision of kids role, might help to heal the personal scars and even bring about change to help prevent someone else from experiencing the same. But once it goes beyond that, to another school board, PTA, etc, you may be setting yourself up for legal trouble!

Vicki

[VickiB]

And as or the legal issues, that wouldnt bother me one bit either as long as I had witnesses. In that case, I would tell them to bring it on! I'd spend every dime I had to make them sorry if they hurt one of my kids by doing that.

I can relate! So far I have a ridiculous amount of money invested in a law suit that anybody with a lick of sense would've just let the guy get away with. Not me mind you! :bonk: I don't even want to imagine next month's bill!

So my comment to be careful comes from the outrageous (no,...ridiculous is more appropriate) cost of being involved in litigation in this country. Anyone can sue anybody for any reason. And unfortunately with our court system, spending every dime one has can very quickly become a reality!

Vicki

[tigger_gal]

I had to go back and read the thread to see what I missed. I am sorry I didn't catch the important part of bullies. **note to self, do not read after night time meds**
anywho I have no choice but to fully agree with Amaranthe. I think its fair game when it comes to my kids, especially if it is an adult teacher. **** would be hitting the fan at the school.
I had a similar incident Ashley's senior year at an iep, the counselor told Ashley, my husband and I it would be in Ashley's best interest not to attend college, because she wasn't college material! I can't tell you what I said to her, but it was by all means not even close to nice! it was basically who the he-double-hockey sticks does she think she is to pass judgment, she never was around to help in the first place! Ashley is an A student and just finished her second year of college. you have no idea how many times I have wanted to call the school and tell her that my child is acing physiology!

All is fair when it comes to protecting your kids!

[luvsterriers]

Some of the bullies even went to my church! How I should have pointed out to my parents that the girl in the choir bothered me so much in history class 8th grade. I should have done that. But see if my parents were to confront the bully in church or the bully's parents, then obviously her parents would defend her. I HATE parents who do that! If your child is teasing or bullying someone, do you think that's ok for your child to do???! UGH! I get so annoyed when parents defend their bully children. Maybe their parents were once bullies too so these children don't know any better. I didn't bother no one in school. I just went to school to learn and graduate, not to get teased or bullied. I also thought that minister's children are the best friends. OH NO was I wrong. They can be just as cruel as other children. I just don't get it. I have learning disability and aspergers, yet I NEVER teased or bullied anyone as a child. So children with no autism or LD tease others? I really should have asked these bullies if they enjoyed seeing others cry and be in pain and ask them how they would feel if someone hurt them. Boys, girls they all did it when I was a child. How I would LOVE to see these bullies now. I wonder how they are doing.?? They would probably be shocked that I have a degree. I know several of the bullies never finished college. But when you have family members that think you are dumb that's just wrong. I think some of my relatives if not all just hate me. Hate is such a strong word.

Another thing which is work related. When I go by someone's office and they look to see who is walking by and then they see me, they laugh. I want to ask them what's so funny about me???! It makes me sooooooooooo mad when people do that! I mean what honestly is so darn funny???! I don't bother people at work, yet I get bothered all the time. I have confronted someone about it, and they got so defensive and mad. I know a liar when I see one. Getting teased most of my life I learn when someone is saying a falsehood. Body language and facial expressions can tell a lot. I thought as adults people would change. But no way! Adults can be just as cruel as children. Bullies never grow up. I guess it's best no friends and no man in my life. But I do hate being alone. I hate it when co workers say what they are doing for the weekend, and I say oh nothing. I mean I have no friends. :(

[tigger_gal]

unfortunately adults can be worse then the children. Ministers, Judges, and cops kids are the ultimate worse! I don't recall how old your child is, but here we have a program called sensory systems, for children and adults. It is for about any type of ld or mental disability.
good luck dear.

[luvsterriers]

Tigger_gal

I don't have any children. I was referring to myself. Another thing that bothers me is when I go on family vacation I have to leave my dog behind. What if the resort abuses him? I can't trust kennels, vets, boarding facilities to take care of my dog. Just dreading the day I have to leave my dog makes me sad. I think I may need to seek mental health help immediately. At my age to cry and get depressed while going on family vacation and leaving dog behind??!! I have to be beyond dumb. A lot of kids travel with their parents during the summer and I'm sure they had to leave their dogs behind, yet I don't see the kids crying to their parents saying they miss their dogs. Maybe it's harder for me because I don't have any friends or a boyfriend. I never had friends growing up and I'm in my early 30s now.

About your post earlier saying that your daughter isn't college material, that just angers me! You totally should go back to that ignorant person and tell her that your daugther is in college. I didn't give up (at times I wanted to though) and I have 2 undergraduate degrees. I totally wish I can go back to my 3rd grade teacher and tell her that not only did I finish high school and graduate that I went to college and graduated as well. I will NEVER ever forget that day when she handed back an assignment and told the whole class that I got an A because dad did the work for me. I SHOULD have told my dad that day, but didn't. Teachers can be so ignorant! So it's no wonder I think that I'm dumb and immature because of my aspergers and LD. Life without friends is so hard and depressing. Now I'm sad again. :( :(

[amaranthe]

Tigger_gal

I don't have any children. I was referring to myself. Another thing that bothers me is when I go on family vacation I have to leave my dog behind. What if the resort abuses him? I can't trust kennels, vets, boarding facilities to take care of my dog. Just dreading the day I have to leave my dog makes me sad. I think I may need to seek mental health help immediately. At my age to cry and get depressed while going on family vacation and leaving dog behind??!! I have to be beyond dumb. A lot of kids travel with their parents during the summer and I'm sure they had to leave their dogs behind, yet I don't see the kids crying to their parents saying they miss their dogs. Maybe it's harder for me because I don't have any friends or a boyfriend. I never had friends growing up and I'm in my early 30s now.

About your post earlier saying that your daughter isn't college material, that just angers me! You totally should go back to that ignorant person and tell her that your daugther is in college. I didn't give up (at times I wanted to though) and I have 2 undergraduate degrees. I totally wish I can go back to my 3rd grade teacher and tell her that not only did I finish high school and graduate that I went to college and graduated as well. I will NEVER ever forget that day when she handed back an assignment and told the whole class that I got an A because dad did the work for me. I SHOULD have told my dad that day, but didn't. Teachers can be so ignorant! So it's no wonder I think that I'm dumb and immature because of my aspergers and LD. Life without friends is so hard and depressing. Now I'm sad again. :( :(

I just sent you a pm, offering my friendship. I dont have alot of friends either, since I am disabled and home all day. But, if you ever need someone to talk to, you now have a friend! :) I have a few other close friends I have met here and they are among my dearest.

So, I hope you will take me up on it if you ever need someone to talk to or just want to chat.

Sending hugs and an offer of friendship,,
Amaranthe

[Preacher-Girl]

I'm sorry this has happened to you Anna. I agree with all the other posters. I will pray for you to find a place near you where you feel you belong and can make friends close to your age. And I think you should take Amaranthe up on her offer of friendship. She makes a great friend!

But really, we are all your friends here and you can post anytime and we will listen.

Ministers children can be the worst. My husband and I are going to become pastors. I always make my daughter show kindness to every other child and never make fun of anyone. She likes to help care for her autistic uncle and share her toys with him. We never want her to feel like she is above anyone. My husband and I have known many pastor's children and most of them behave terribly! It's not right and I hate it.

I was bullied as a child as well and it was horribly painful. But I am an adult now. I asked God to help me forgive them and move on. The remembering was killing me and just eating me up inside. My suggestion would be the same for you. They are not worth it. You are an accomplished young woman and there is no reason for them to continue to harm you.

Also, it is only natural to worry about leaving your dog. I always pray for our family dog before she stays at the kennel or a service. You can't always trust people but you can always trust God. He will watch over your beloved puppy if you ask Him. You are not being silly or dumb. You are just concerned and that is OK.

Angela

[tigger_gal]

you have me as a friend too :) and no your not crazy about being ups set over leaving your dog, he is you baby. no one ever said all babies are human! I have 3 babies, and would not leave them in the trust of a kennel. If I can't find some one to watcch them then I don't go, however we don't go anywhere anyway, Jake has a lot of issues and big crowds tend to cause conflict. also with noise, and bright or lack of light. and eating, omg... he rarely eats, and what he dose like is far and few between. btw don't know how I missed that you were lking about you. boy I need banned when I take my meds lol j/k Donna lol :biglaugh: at least I admitted my lack of paying attention! If you want to talk out side of postings send me a pm, and we can add each other to our emails, or exchange number, like Amaranthe I talk to outside of the icn. If you have yahoo we can chat that way also. I had my far share of getting bullied as a child, and as an adult, those people are not worth your time.
Preecher Girl, no pun intended. lol Ashley has gone to church since she was 5 and just finished her second year of college, so I know a few pastors from different church activities, I am glad you agree, I didn't want to step on toes. My made of honor was a state cops kid, boy did she get into some sitituations! lol.
anywho, I have added you to my friend list.
xo

[Hannah13]

Anyone has autism, or has a child with autism?:confused:


Anna


My son has autism, turrets and OCD. He's 11 and a huge part of what stresses me out with this disease is worrying about him so I understand.

[luvsterriers]

Hannah-

Does your son struggle with making friends? I know at my age I still am. I'm out of college too. Still struggling to make friends. :(

But anyways, I'm going to attend this conference. It's near me.

http://www.researchautism.org/news/conference/index.asp


Also there is RUN FOR AUTISM. It's in various cities in US.

http://www.researchautism.org/news/run/races/index.asp

[vm]

Here's a forum you might like:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/forums.html

It's for adults on the spectrum.

[luvsterriers]

Thanks Kim!! :)

[vm]

You're very welcome! I found it a few weeks ago when I was searching for some information for a family I work with. They were so excited to read about autism from the perspective of someone who has it. :)

[amaranthe]

Hey Tig! :hi: Not that you asked, but I would DEFINATELY be making a copy of Ashley's college transcripts and mail it to that high school counselor along with a copy of her high school picture (to jog her memory) and a brief note about the poor advice she gave you at that time and how fortuantely you allowed her to persue her dreams and have never regretted it for a moment. I would word it very politely, but I would make sure the point was made. Hopefully, it will help her, and prevent her from advising someone else this way. I mean who knows how many others she has ill-advised in the course of her career. And what percentage of those parents and/or students actually took her advice and this ultimately limited the potential of that child and their future job prospects.

Though I am sure that the counselor told you that with the best of intentions, and with no malice, I still belive she needs to be told now. After all, who knows how many years she still has left in her career and who knows how one letter (worded politely) could change the course of many lives.

Although it would be Very tempting to slam her when you write (at least it would for me) I would urge you to be as kind as possible in the letter because the nicer you phrase things, the more likely she is to actually really reflect on this and not ever limit anyone's potential again.

I am so happy to hear how well Ashley is doing! You every have right to be proud! (Heck, even though she's not my daughter, I am proud of her too! :))

Love and Hugs,
Amaranthe

[amaranthe]

Here's a forum you might like:

http://www.wrongplanet.net/forums.html

It's for adults on the spectrum.

That was a really nice thing to do! I love the way our members go above and beyond like this to support each other! Way to go, Kim! :)

[luvsterriers]

I had to go back and read the thread to see what I missed. I am sorry I didn't catch the important part of bullies. **note to self, do not read after night time meds**
anywho I have no choice but to fully agree with Amaranthe. I think its fair game when it comes to my kids, especially if it is an adult teacher. **** would be hitting the fan at the school.
I had a similar incident Ashley's senior year at an iep, the counselor told Ashley, my husband and I it would be in Ashley's best interest not to attend college, because she wasn't college material! I can't tell you what I said to her, but it was by all means not even close to nice! it was basically who the he-double-hockey sticks does she think she is to pass judgment, she never was around to help in the first place! Ashley is an A student and just finished her second year of college. you have no idea how many times I have wanted to call the school and tell her that my child is acing physiology!

All is fair when it comes to protecting your kids!

ARGH that is so wrong! I thought since it's 2009 that teachers would be more educated than the teachers in the 1980s. I'm sure learning disability and autism was fairly new, but maybe not. If your child gets an A on a assignment, then the teacher ALWAYS assumes that they cheated or got a parent to do the work for them!