PDD/AUTISM
          SUCCESSFUL
                    STRATEGIES

PARENT TO PARENT
(CONTINUED)

4)  WHAT IS THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN OBTAINING WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM?
          -Stay calm when speaking to staff.  If you feel you are getting hysterical, talk later when you have control.
          -Know what you want to say, bring cue cards with the points you wish to discuss written on them.
          -Be proactive:  Get everyone discussing the solutions to the problem rather than the cause (unless the cause is obvious and can be rectified in a non-threatening way.)
          -Understand the contraints that exist in the educational system.  Be creative.  Find a way to work within the boundaries that are not going to change.
          -Learn everything you can about how our kids tick, share the information in point form.
          -Learn how to make up Social Stories, Visual Lists.  Offer these  as methods to cue your child in social or anxiety producing situations.  Use them at home to teach skills like 'getting dressed for going out' , toiletting, etc. 
Give copies to staff and train them.  Show them how it works.
BE A TEACHER TO THE TEACHERS:  and remember, there are 25 or more other  kids in the class, many of whom also may have special needs.  GOOD LUCK, IT CAN BE DONE!

   

ONE TYPE OF
FAMILY PROBLEM:
OSTRICH  SYNDROME

            THIS IS THE TYPICAL SCENERIO IN THIS TYPE OF FAMILY:

-  parent # 1 learns continuously about Autism.
-  parent # 1 learns about schooling and attends all meetings alone.
-  parent # 1 does all of the behaviour management for affected child, stays up at night with child, etc.
-  parent # 1 does not have much time or energy for anyone else, the other children or parent # 2.
-  other children feel neglected.
-  parent # 2 feels neglected.
-  often marriage break down follows.
-  parent # 1 is left with the children and all of the problems.
-  parent # 2 runs away, lives happily ever after with a minimal amount of responsibilites
(and I hope, with a lot of guilt).

In my opinion, this begins with one parent 'putting their head in the sand', perhaps at diagnosis, and the other parent doing what has to be done.  Parent # 2 should GROW UP and realize that if the responsibilities were shared, the family would be closer and they would have a bit of time for each other and the other children.

Remember, as a family, you should accept whatever help is offered, especially from trusted friends and relatives.  It would be great to go away as a couple, or with the other children on a weekend outing! (I know that this is not often possible, but you can dream).

KITS

SOME WORDS TO THINK ABOUT......
PARENTS
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