HELP! Family Training and resources for children with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome

-

School is out! Glorious!!

For most families this means going on vacation, relaxing at the beach or the pool, and organizing play dates with the neighborhood kids....and mainly just entertaining your kids and making sure that they don't get into trouble.

For families who have a child with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome, summer can be just as exciting---as long as families are prepared with a transition plan. 

During the school year, students are provided with a predictable schedule, and their unique needs and behavior difficulties are supported with behavior plans, accommodations, and interventions through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or a 504 Plan. 

How can parents prepare for summer? 

1)  ESY (Extended School Year):  Parents may consider ESY for their child if they have documented regression of academic or behavior skills when they are away from the school setting for long periods of time. 

2) Social Stories! Parents can ask their child's special education teacher for help with creating a social story that is age appropriate and personalized for the end of the year activities and getting them ready for a change in schedule.  
"Friday is our last day of school. During summer, I will get to play with some of my friends during Summer Fun. I will have a new schedule and new teacher. " 

3) Keep a routine: One of the best ways to reduce a child's anxiety about a new schedule and new routine is to have a predictable routine that will encourage learning and good behavior. 

4) Prepare for next year: parents can find out what their child will be learning next year and work on academics for an hour or two every day (depending on their grade level). This will help them transition into the new school year and feel prepared. 

5) Visit their new campus: Also, parents may want to take their child to the campus if they are going from elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. 


Popular posts from this blog

Masterbation: Self Stimulating Behaviors At School

-
Image
SELF STIMULATING BEHAVIORS AT SCHOOL.  Underwear Matters.  Trust me on this.  Over the past couple years, I have had numerous teachers shyly approach me for consultation, looking for strategies on for their students who are engaging in "self-stimulation" during class, at school, and even on field-trips. In one case, just finding the appropriate pair of underwear solved the problem. Basketball shorts and no underwear was not working out so well... but once discussed, it was a trail and error and a simple fix.  Many times, the teachers biggest concern is how to discuss the problem with the parent. Sometimes the behavior is suspected but not as obvious... But it is always better to have a conversation with the parent as soon as possible. To ignore the issue can be extremely problematic and can create habits that later will be difficult to break.  I think it is important to be mindful of parents cultures when bringing up the topic with them. Initially, it's easier w
Read more

Doug C. vs. Hawaii: IEP parent involvement

-
Image
The IEP court case of Doug C. vs. Hawaii When a student is found eligible for special education, an individual education plan (IEP) is developed and updated annually. Special education teachers have traditionally sworn by those dates, allowing no room for flexibility. However, a landmark case (Doug C. Vs Hawaii DOE) in  Summer of 2013, courts ruled that parent involvement is more important than exceeding timelines for annual or reevaluation deadlines.  The case began when a parent requested a meeting to be rescheduled due to illness but because of the school was going to go over timeline, school staff met without him present and made decisions about their child's program. The IEP team told parents that they had decided that their 18-year old son with autism was to transition from a private placement to the public home school.  Parents went and lost at due process but  found victory in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Despite Hawaii's Department of Ed
Read more

Complex? Navigating the school system in Hawaii

-
Image
I had no idea what a complex school psychologist meant or how it would be different than my training in California...but it's really not as "complex" as you may think.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- District:  The statewide school system is divided into seven administrative districts, including Oahu’s Honolulu, Central, Leeward and Windward districts; the Big Island’s Hawaii district; Maui District has Maui, Molokai and Lanai; and the Kauai district. Within each district, smaller areas are divided into 'complex' areas, based on the high schools and all the feeder schools .  Honolulu School District:  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Complex:  The complex I work in is called Kaiser Complex and is in the East side of Oahu. There are four elementary sc
Read more