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Home > A Look at Special Ed Here

A Look at Special Ed Here

June 30th, 2006 at 05:10 am

I had occasion to drive a long ways (for me at least) today, with my autistic kiddo. During the time, we went past his most recent high school as well as the old school, which he attended for the previous 3 years.

Conversation isn't really conversation with him, but he actually TOLD me something and I had a huge moment of comprehension. (which, considering the traffic both ways, and his constant little self was amazing all by itself)

He started asking me if I liked shopping. I told him I hated shopping. He said "me too". I knew all this, we had done this conversation a thousand times.......but the connection here was the old school. They insisted on taking the special ed kids shopping at least once a week, in addition to going out to eat once a week with a window shopping trip thrown in. (lunch budget was a suggested $15.00 per kiddo)

The new school, which my kiddo absolutely loved, didn't push shopping. In fact, neither of us can remember any shopping trips, or lunch outs this past year.

I think the pieces are fitting together, as to why this guy liked the new school. There were no mandatory mall excursions!!

And, I was perplexed as to how the old school district put so much emphasis on shopping as entertainment and an activity.
What in the world were they teaching these kids? I protested as much as I could during the years I was in that district, we didn't do the $15.00 per person lunches by any means..... This latest kiddo just stayed home on the mall/lunch days as he hated them so badly.

Even tho I don't have a positive impression of this years school & how they ran their program, I now have something I think they were doing right.

The kids got to participate in activities this past year that truly don't have to cost anything (or could be really cheap), like simple woodwork projects, all sorts of arts & crafts activities and cooking all the time!

It was interesting to have this AH HA moment brought to me by the autistic wonder boy..... which proves, he really was my teacher these past 4 years.

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On another front here..........the first speaking event went off without a hitch. I love it. The driving and the traffic were the negatives, but getting up in front of people again was great. And, I'm getting paid for it, can't beat that!

And, the other front......The Amazing Blazer is now finished and covered with sequins (hand sewn mind you) and the bill is just waiting for her to come by after she gets off work in 30 min.
Got paid for another alterations job this afternoon, in addition to the dog watching which I was really doing as a favor, but got a nice little payment!
And, there is one more order to be picked up tomorrow afternoon.........still to be started, truth be known. Getting up early to get this out of the way.

I feel like I'm an understudy in the circus, trying to learn how to twirl all those plates on sticks!!!! Going to read some entries here til my customer comes, then head straight for bed!

4 Responses to “A Look at Special Ed Here”

  1. boomeyers Says:
    1151641153

    I think you are a jack of all trades (or a jill) and a master of many!! Kudos!

  2. Thrifty Ray Says:
    1151677083

    The key is, you can juggle them all and still laugh about it. Smile (even if it is tongue in cheek sometimes)

    You truly are one of those people who is making a difference.

    ...You sure deserve to enjoy this next journey....which if memory serves, starts sometime TODAY...woo-hoo!

  3. ima saver Says:
    1151678628

    Good luck on your new journey, I think you will do great!

  4. jodi_m Says:
    1151682748

    As someone who works with the developmentally disabled, I see quite a push for "community inclusion", which is absolutely wonderful - for SOME people! It's a far cry from the days when the disabled were sent to institutions and never interacted with the community - but there has to be an understanding that some people (particular those with autism) much prefer their own routines to some arbitrary community trip. I'm glad your kiddo found a program that suits him better!

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