FOLLOW UP!!!

Well, on Tuesday morning I went 2c Malik's so-called speech therapist. She tried 2 reiterate her point on why she thought Malik doesn't need the traditional one-on-one speech therapy she said, "at a certain age if a child is not using his vocal cords the chances are high that he/she will never use them," and how he works very well w/the augmentative device. She went on to explain how DCSS says if the child is effectively communicating w/the device in school then that is the method they should continue 2 use. In other words Malik is communicating academically w/the device.
I told her at all the IEP meetings I attend w/Lithonia Middle School an important goal of mine as well as Malik teachers, is 4 Lithonia Middle 2prepare Malik 4life by helping him become more independent, I went on 2explain 2her, in life he is not going 2walk around w/a augmentative device. The device allows Malik 2respond 2questions that r asked but, supossed in life a question that is asked is not programed n2 the device????? ...then what??????? the so-called speech therapist had the same look on her face Malik has when he gets sent 2bed & I find he's still up playing playstation ! I also explained 2her if I would have listened to all the so-called professionals each time they expressed 2me what Malik was &would b capable of doing n life...I'm frightened at the thought of where he would b!!!!......so, the little pow-wow we had was a complete waste of my time!!!!
Wednesday, I spoke w/Malik's Lead Special Education Coordinator, Ms Hill and I expressed my concerns bout the conversation w/the so-called speech therapist she and I agreed we need 2have another IEP review as soon as possible. I requested Malik's 2teachers, the so-called speech therapist, her boss Dr. Carter, Malik's new teacher 4 next year, Ms Hill and of course myself all attend..... She agreed.
Yesterday on Thursday I spoke w/Dr. Carter who is the supervisor of the so-called speech therapist she advised me she couldn't recall a converstation she had w/her employee (the so-called speech therapist) where they both agreed Malik was basically beyond help, she also expressed her concern w/the so-called speech therapist doing consultation therapy where she only asked Malik's teacher (Ms McFadden) if Malik was doing good w/his device. Dr. Carter said that is not how consultative speech therapy goes. With all this new info I asked Dr. Carter if there was another speech therapist that caters to Lithonia Middle School bcuz I didn't feel comfortable w/the so-called speech therapist giving Malik therapy. If Dr. Carter is truthful I feel the so-called speech therapist is a liar, and I feel she would not be of any help 2him, she does not have Malik's best interest @heart!!! I need 2feel confident that all people who r n contact w/my child have his best interest @heart and sincerly want Malik 2succeed as I do!
So, I will keep u abreast of all the meetings ......and therapies......... and yada yada yaddaaa's ....
stay tuned >>..>>>>>...........

LOTS OF INFO

As u can c, there was alot of news pertaining 2Autism around the globe. I'm excitied 2c so many new programs and organizations along w/new technologies helping along w/the disability of Autism.
All the news is most definitely a turning point in Autism Awareness. I look forward 2our future w/all the new organizations and new technologies!!!!

HOLLY ROBINSON-PEETE NAMED TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Actress Holly Robinson-Peete, named to Board of Directors of Autism Speaks Organization
see full story below:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/holly_robinson_peete_board.php

AUTISM SPEAKS LAUNCHES ...AUTISM IN THE WORKPLACE

Autism Speaks the nations largest advocacy organization lauched Autism in the Workplace,
which is an online resource 4 individuals w/autism, families, and employers
check link below 4 full details:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/autism_in_the_workplace.php

AUTISM SPEAKS JOINS ADVANCING FUTURES FOR ADULTS W/AUTISM INITIATIVE

Advancing Futures for Adult w/Autism (AFAA) is a new website that will update info 4 Adults w/Autism w/employment, housing, recreation and social opportunities
check link below 4 more info:
www.AFAA-us.org,

TODAY SHOW

I was surfing my favorite sites and ran across a 3 part series on "The Today Show " which started on Wednesday called "Breaking Barriers" the series is very interesting
check link below for a snipit:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/today_tunein_0409.php

WHITE HOUSE HOLDS MEETING W/DISABILITY GROUPS

Seems like President Obama & his staff r making good on promises concerning people w/diabilities .
see link below:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13377&news_iv_ctrl=1882

MEDIC-ALERT

Autism Society of America joing forces w/Medic Alert foundation 2 offer Medic Alert Safe & Sound
see link below:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13319&news_iv_ctrl=1882

SO-CALLED SPEECH THERAPY

This morning I was awakened by the telephone. The female on the other end of the phone said her name was Mrs. Southland, she began 2 explain how she needed 2add a supplement 2Malik's IEP meeting packet we had a few months ago, she said she would send the revisions home 4me 2review &sign.
After, letting her speak & finally waking up I asked "I'm sorry, I no u said ur name is Mrs. Southland but, who r u again" she advised me she was Malik's speech therapist which I thought was insane. How could I not know Malik's speech therapist name. I told her how I had been trying 2get n touch w/her 2 c how Malik was progressing n therapy & c if I could incorporate some of her methods here at home. She went on 2 explain how his therapy consisted of him using his augmentative device . I said yes I'm aware of the device but, I want 2 also no what exactly he's doing n speech therapy?....she said that is the only speech therapy Malik receives. What he does on his augmentative device is considered his speech therapy. I replied,
" W H A T !!!"
I told her that is not speech therapy she informed me that's how the Dekalb County School System defines speech therapy now, it's related more to academics. ...again, I replied,
W H A T !!!!! how can DCSS define Malik's curriculum as only being Academic and summarizing his speech therapy up w/only the augmentative device is beyond me. Malik has received speech therapy all his life & it has consisted of one on one therapy with a qualified speech therapist and within the last few years has included working w/a augmentative device. Not, subsituting the speech therapy 4 the device but, speech therapy in addition 2 the device! So, I thought this is what he is still receiving! I proceeded 2 ask her ok, when was ne1 going 2 mention this 2me? No wonder the speech therapist never called me, she's not even working w/him, what would she have 2report 2 me? She said she goes to his class once a week and ask his teacher if he needs any help using the device and the teacher tells her no he's doing very well on the device.!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again, I told her that is not speech therapy!!! The speech therapist also went on 2 inform me that when she worked w/Malik last year she believes he reached his potential w/making word sounds. So, she spoke w/her supervisor and they agreed Malik couldnt make anymore sounds & it seemed like he reached his capacity. I told her u sound as if u've given up on my son, and that is not 4 u to decide! If his IEP says he requires speech therapy, then it's ur job 2give it 2him!!!!
Needless, 2say the conversation took a verrrrrry ugly turn ..... & I was so angry I decided 2 wait until 2morrow 2 speak w/both his teachers the Lead Special Education Coordinator Ms Hill, along w/the speech therapist and her supervisor.
I find this behavior 2be unsatisfactory and it will be addressed. I am in disbelief, it is difficult enuf having a child w/a disability but, when u get a system thats not giving him all the tools he'll need 2help him along its very disheartening!
I no there r alot of politics when it comes 2what's considered this and that n school systems I disagree but, that is not my issue. My issue is the fact that no one told me his speech therapist & her supervisor decided Malik was beyond help and they decided 2 replace main stream speech therapy w/the augmentative device & not n addition 2. If I would have known this I could have gotten Malik speech therapy outside of his school enviornment. Which I should have done anyway.
It's mind blowing 2me!!!! how carefree and nonchalant these so called educated-professionals r!!!! Well, here we go again Malik & his family taking on another fight what the so-called professionals fail 2 understand is I'm not new 2this ! & once again ITZ ON!!!!!!

SPRING BREAK IS OVA !!!

Well, spring break is officially over. We didnt really do too much of anything. The best part of Malik's vaca was a visit from his Auntie Pam, Cousin's Charae, & Olivia. They drove down from Maryland, we were all so excited & happy 2c them.
I cannot believe how time flies. Charae was down here looking n2 colleges! WOW ! it seems like yesterday she was a baby. Charae is bloosiming n2 a wonderful young lady! My sis-n-law is doing a great job!!!!! I think the trip was a success they visited Spellman, and Georgia Tech while they were here. B4 stopping n Georgia they visited North Carolina where they saw UNC. So, the trip was definitely eventful. I believe Charae got alot of info she needed 2help her make her decision bout college!
Our guests had 2leave on Sunday. We were sorry 2c them go but, we definitely cherished the time they were here!!!!!

DISCOVERY HEALTH SPECIALS ON AUTISM

Last nite I was channel surfing & found 2 great programs on the discovery health channel.
The first special was called "unlocking autism" I found the special interesting bcuz they showed a wide range of kids on the autism spectrum. They featured a segment on teenage boys along w/a very special teenage girl. Looking at the teenagers gave me alot more hope. They also featured a mother in Calli who was trying all different types of therapies & treatments 4 her son.
The second special was called "Autism x6" (which was my favorite of the 2, this particular special touched my heart bcuz I saw me n the mom) it was a special about the Kirton family, they have 6 children ranging in ages from 3-14 and each of them r on the autism spectrum. The Kirton family may be the only family that have all 6kids on the spectrum. The special was amazing! The Kirton family agreed 2participate n a study 2help scientist and health professionals better understand Autism. They showed each kid in depth...WOW !
The Kirston's have 2 (SID's) severely intellectually disabled kids, one kid had a fascination w/peeling paint off the walls and eating dirt, the other SID kid loved 2climb on things and figure out how 2get things he wanted that were out of reach.
These 2 specials were the best shows I've seen on Autism since they have been doing specials .... if ne1 gets a chance 2check it out pls do so .....
for more info on c'ing when discovery health will replay it check link below ....
http://health.discovery.com/features/autism-awarness/autism-awarness.html

SISTAGURLZ

Recently, I've gotten back n touch w/a few of my friends. I met my sistagurlz at my ole job. My sistagirlz & I spent a large part of our adult life on the Trading Floor of The New York Stock Exchange where we worked 4the brokerage firm Shearson Lehman Brothers. Shearson is where we formed lasting relationships. We remained friends throught each of our job changes on the floor, I started my career @ Shearson Lehman Brothers, then Bear Stearns (where I spent the majority of my career) and finally a year and 1/2 @ Credit Lyonnais. All together I worked on the floor for bout 15years!
As you can imagine I have alot of great memories from that place. I learned how 2work w/people, I learned how 2be more responsible, and of course I met my sistagurlz. One of my dearest & closest friendships was formed there on the floor w/ Janice a.k.a Jan-Ice she has been constant n my life from the very beginnning. Along w/Wendy a.ka HOPS & Anne.
Ova the years, w/job changes, kids, & life we all lost contact w/each other. Unfortunately, my friends and I were reconnected thru tragedy. My girl Wendy's son lost his 18year battle w/cerebral palsy! My Goodness, I cant tell u how my heart hurt when I heard that news !!!!

Thru my constant friend, I reached out 2Wen &we talked on the phone like there was no time lost between us! I realized how much I missed her. We talked, laughed, and caught up on the years that had been lost between us. We reminisced on our goodtimes and our other friends from the exchange. After explaining the details of her personal tragedy, she went on 2say so whatz up wit u? how is ur son ? I remembered, she had no clue about Malik and all we had been thru.

My other girl Anne is also a close friend we would talk, laugh and work 2gether 4years again, I couldn't recall how we lost touch but, we did. Feeling wonderful after talking 2my girl Wen, I decided 2try & find my other girl Anne. So, I started searching the internet (which by the way, is a wonderful thang) I went on facebook and figured everyone & their mother was registered ....right???? WRONG ....then, I thought about her daughter ( I was always fascinated by her name Anne combined the 1st 2sylabols of both her sisters names along w/hers and named her daughter)... so u can imagine its an unusual name so,I put her name n the search field and there she was ...I wrote Anne's daughter & she got the message 2Anne 4me. So, needless 2say I had found another friend I hadn't spoken 2n years n a matter of hours....!!! (the internet is a beautiful thaaannnng)
As we spoke & caught up. Again, the same question presented itself "so whatz up wit u? how is ur son?
Suddenly, it was all coming back 2me....remembering why I hadn't spoken 2my girlz n years ..& believe me it had nothing 2do w/job changes ...it waz because of .........ME & MY SECRETS !!!
I waz the one who fell out of touch. Wheneva they asked how everything was w/Malik I always answered vaguely. Most times I lied. I decided n my lil mind I would just avoid questions & ultimately I started avoiding them. I figured all was fair in the game of SECRETS!!!
Of course, now I realize I sacrificed my friendships bcuz I was not able 2share, understand or willing 2let our secret b exposed. It was soooo much easier 2push them away than 2 deal w/it. I thought about all the life changes that happended 2all of us during the times we weren't n touch & was a little sad, but being the true sistagirlz Wendy & Anne r they were both understanding and genuinelly interested in our journey!!!
I'm so glad I was able 2find my girls and make our connection again!
All women should have sistagurlz relationships that allow u 2break up ur everyday routine & allow u 2b U....We all no her ....The U,who's not just Malik's mom or Shawn's wife but, Cassandra a sistagurl indeed!!!!

SAD TRUTH

Jamaican mother becomes depressed over caring for special needs child and the pressures of society. Unfortunately, this happens more times than I care 2 acknowledge but, it becomes very disheartening when your own community doesn't support you.
check link below for full story:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/AllWoman/html/20090405T210000-0500_148886_OBS_PARENTAL_DEPRESSION_AND_AUTISM___PART__.asp

April 2 marks Autism Awareness Day

Today is Autism Awareness day, there were alot of shows on today concerning Autism. The shows consisted of warning signs, treatments, therapies, and the progress scientist are making concerning Autism.
Here are a few links from eairler one from the Today Show and one from my old place of employment. The Trading Floor of the New York Stock Exchange
Links below:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/inthenews/waad_tunein.php