More...Advocacy Letters

Advocacy letters are so important for many reasons. Letters tell a story and document issue's and progress. Letters you receive from educators and those you will write yourself provide vital information to both parties and usually create a clear picture of the issues. Unless in pre-school thru 3rd grade or severe I recommend the child try to handle the academic issue first, second I would speak to the teacher directly and third I would write a letter with a meeting to follow. I have had to advocate for my child in both directions, meaning when some of her academic scores where below level and above level. If your child's test scores are good don't ever let an educator get in the way of your child's success. Be the best detective you can be. Be aware of executive and social skills. Be aware of educators whom don't feel like it's their job to figure out why a student with on level test scores is failing. I had a teacher whom liked to give only oral directions and my nick name for her teaching style is "speed racer". She told me she could see my frustration with my child. To that teacher I say my frustration is not with my child it is with educators like you whom would just assume fail a child than to find out how they can succeed.

Ms H******,

As per your request upon admission to ******** my child ********. in Ms. ******third grade is undergoing a psychological educational evaluation. As part of the evaluation Ms. C. S. from the psychological services center at N*** University will be calling about 2pm May 14th to set up an observation of G******.

Sincerely,

Melissa B*********

This is a letter I received from an advocate helping me with "G's" IEP

In regards to G*****'* IEP….

Curriculum and Instruction: Many of her goals are part of the 2nd grade curriculum and not really “Priority Education Needs” at this time. This can always change as she progresses, or shows a lack of progress.
The nature of her disability would cause her to have difficulties in inferencing, math word problems (but not at all times) and written language. In the area of reading, I think that focusing on retelling of a story, making predictions and answering (why, how) higher order questions would be appropriate. If some of her existing goals are already mastered, or deemed to not be priority education needs, we can exchange them with some of these skills that will impact her reading in the third grade.

Social Emotional Behavior:
As per the Present Level it seems that the school is working on many areas in this domain, however she only has one goal. She may need one to appropriately initiate and sustain a peer interaction for a targeted amount of time. As I had shared with you, “soft skills” will impact her far more in everyday life, than academics. The goal for all children is to make them productive, accepted members of society… and giving her tools to achieve this are of vital importance.

Inde Functioning
Although these three goals could have potentially been part of 1 or 2 goals… they are fine to leave alone… unless she has mastered them already.

Communication:
We can review goals 11 (use descriptive language) and 13 (pronouns) for mastery. If so, I would suggest adding a goal for idioms and multiple meaning words. This will impact her both in her ability to communicate, as well as reading comprehension.

Supplemental Aids and Services: I would suggest adding: Extra time for assignments (esp with writing), visual schedule (for organization) and Close proximity when given directions.

If you’d like, I can contact the school with my recommendations so that they are aware of what we are looking for before we get to the meeting. That should help things go smoothly on that day.

Let me know

Thanks
S*****

Ms. K****,

I hope G****** can be provided a quite environment and that 20 minutes is sufficient time for her to take a quiz ,that she was in school and able to take the day of. I had no clue my child was being pulled from math, and would never agree with that. G****** was supposed to be pulled from Spanish. Is 8 am the earliest? We will plan to be at school at 8 am tomorrow.

Thank you,

Mel*** B*********

Here I am thanking a teacher for providing a classroom checklist.

They look great! I see how it builds to where by the last one the student is self questioning. Her being given adequate time for this is my only concern so that it does not add stress. One thing I forgot to ask you today was if you ever see behaviors such as nose picking, space invading, using her hands to much, or making noises to initiate a conversation, please do not allow her to commit social suicide everyday, please let me know and address it with her directly. I do not get offended, I appreciate your honesty and would rather know.

I so appreciate all you do,

Mel***  ****

This letter stems from differentiated instruction issues where they will place a child in a speed taught class just because they tested well on the SAT. "G" was placed in a faster than normal paced math class due to her testing above average in math on her SAT and was paying the price for it grade wise until her placement was corrected.

Ms. K****,

Please move my child immediately to Ms. E************ math class, I appreciate immensely you letting me know the difference and that this is an option. I am only aware that G****** has missed one HW assignment and it is due to confusion (just because you copied something from the board doesn't mean it was clearly understood)about what to do, I know my child ,and missing HW, at this point is not a defiant act on her part. I know she corrected the quiz and the test and returned them to you Sept 16th on time, which we believed would bring the grade up but according to you she received an 87 on the chapter two test but still has a grade of 64.98.We are impressed she got the word problem right because that's her weak link in math thus far. According to G****** , her tutor,and her most recent academic evaluation she is fine with the curriculum. According to her she just needs more time than "one lesson being taught in 5 minutes" so I will be in contact with the principal ASAP to insure she is removed from your class. You never have to be hopeful my child has studied, she always studies if things are clear.

September .19, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. ****** *******

10*** S.W. **th St.

Da**, Fl *****24

(945) **6-**15

J***** L******, Ed. S.

1**0 S****t Way

West**, Fl 3**26

Written Request

I am writing in reference to McKay scholarship fifth grade student ******* B********* in Ms. K*****'s math class. In our meeting on September 12th 2011 we discussed some simple accommodations for Timing, organization, word problems and oral comprehension so G******* has clarity of what is expected of her daily. After speaking with her teacher I am requesting G******* be changed as soon as possible to Ms. E*******'s math class where the same curriculum is being taught at a slower rate. This is an example from last weeks class page,

Ms. E******s Class: This week in Math, we began Chapter 2.

Mrs. K*******s Class: We have completed the Chapter 2 math lessons and tests.

According to our independent academic evaluation and the schools own assessments( to date) G****** is on level academically. My most recent independent evaluations that I have provided to the school indicate only mild/moderate differences in oral comprehension, timing, and organization, with a critical difference only for math word problems. We request that in the future the school take these facts into consideration whenever deciding any placement or academic decision for our child. We respect your hard work and dedication to children.

Sincerely,

Mr. and Mrs. **********

This is the letter the teacher sent me to tell me my child with a round the year tutor and above average SAT testing in math, and outside math academic testing was failing. Within two weeks  of my child being moved to a normal paced class she had an "A"  in math. Do not allow a child that you can prove  be taught fail due to educators whom are either to busy or just feel it's not their job to figure out why a child is not doing well. In most cases when  a kid is not doing well there are some very simple fixes that I feel should be obvious to a trained teachers eye. This teacher was teaching a math lesson in 5 to 10 minutes.

Good Morning Mrs. *********,

I am writing to you regarding my concern for ******** math grade. To date, I have assigned 6 assignments including quizzes and tests. I did not average in the one quiz grade since she was out of the class, however, the other grades have been averaged and accounted for. On her first classwork assignment, she received a 13/18, her first quiz 18/22 and her first test reflects a score of 12/16. The next classwork assignment was 11/18 and her most recent assignment she received a 0 on for simply not doing. This particular assignment was written in the agenda last Friday, as I gave the students their week in advance. While correcting the study guide I found that ***** had not completed any of this assignment and was writing the answers down as we reviewed them. Her current grade before the test today has dropped to a 63.2. I write the current grade on every math paper she takes home so I know that you are already aware of this but wanted to discuss this with you to find out if you feel she is working at a level of frustration or if she is simply rushing through or not completing her assignments. I want to help her succeed but if she comes to class without her home learning completed it is difficult. This assignment was worth 39 points and counted as 20 % of her grade. If you feel she is working at a level of frustration, or that she might work with more success in a class that doesn’t move through the chapter at such a quick pace we can also discuss her moving to Ms. E**’s class.

Her test is worth 40% of her grade so I am hopeful that she studied the study guide I gave her last night.

Thank you,

J***** K****** MS ED

5^th grade teacher, The ******** School

I saved the best for last. Below is the #1 reason you need to advocate for your special needs child. After she had changed math classes and I got her social studies grade intact due to the same teacher not giving both oral and written directions, I receive a report card that states my child has an A in math but is "Not meeting the standards". WOW, turns out teacher and the principle state its a "Computer glitche" and that the report is garbage and they will print me a new one.

Hi Ms.*****,

I was under the impression after our parent/teacher conference that my child was in a regular math class and doing well. According to her report card I see this is far from the case. ******'s last SAT done by the school at 10 years 4 months old (she is still 10) puts her total mathematics in the above average range. According to Ms. ***y G***** was capable of meeting the academic standards, it was the pace that was an issue. This tells me accommodations not modifications would be in order. The only option I was presented with was to change her class to what I believed to be the average class which turns out to be a remedial class. I am confused as to why it would even be suggested that a child that can meet the standard academically be put in a remedial class and then told they are not meeting the standard and need modification a whole change in what she is learning. According to every test I have (S********) and our own independent there is no reason she should not be in an average 5th grade math class. Please, we need to figure out why with great academic testing my child is not meeting the standards of fifth grade math. When is the earliest we can meet? I will have no choice but to have her transferred from the school by the first of the year, if she can't meet the standards of an average fifth grade math class.

Help! :-)

Mel**  ******

Ihave made the correction and reprinted the report card. It will be sent home today. Sorry about that!

J******* *****

Principal, School

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Sample Letters

The following are some letters I have written that helped facilitate my child's needs. Make sure you stay focused on solving the problems and document everything helpful to your child in writing.:

Written Request

I am writing in reference to ESE student ******* ********** in Ms. *******'* class at *** ***** elementary. My child's IEP meeting on May 8th at 7:30 a.m. left her placement for next year up in the air with you stating that "*** ***** did not know if a first grade with support would be available. In order for our daughter to make meaningful progress next year, it is appropriate and academically necessary that the county provide a general education first grade with support for our daughter, meaning a general education teacher with a full time aid in the class during academics. It is educationally necessary for ******* to be in a first grade with support because her ability to achieve academically is at this point greatly reduced without it. Please give a written response as to what ******* **********'s placement will be in the 2007/2008 school year.

Sincerely,

      

Dear LEA Rep,

Early Release Request

I am the parent of ******* **********, age six, who is a student in ** ******'s first grade class at *** ***** elementary. I have reason to believe that my child has special needs that cannot be completely met by the accommodations the school is providing. Our pediatrician is recommending she attend the Lindamood-Bell learning center as part of her daily therapy(see prescription). In order for her to make meaningful progress in academics we are requesting early release Monday thru Friday between 12:30 and 12:45.

Sincerely,


March. 9, 2007
Mrs B.  B.
Address
Tel


Michael Morris
Director Jacarenda pre-school
address


Dear Mr. Morris,

I am writing in reference to ******* ********** in Ms Millers class. My concern is that her progress this year was cut short in the first semester due to me not being properly informed that behavior was keeping her from meeting IEP goals. I was only made aware of the situation after I initiated communication with the teacher in December 2007 as to why she was not meeting simple goals I had no doubt she was more than capable of. I would have definitely met with the behavior analyst in the beginning of the year if I had any clue her progress was being jeopardized, I am requesting a copy of all records Jacarenda pre-school has on file for my daughter including home and teacher notes, meaning not to exclude anything. Thank you for your attention to this matter, please contact me if I can be of any help in collecting her records.

Sincerely,


Dear Ms Lea Rep,
This e-mail is being written in response to our interim on 9/20/08. I am requesting that the following information below be provided by the school in writing.

1) Please provide me a schedule of my child's day(including ESE pullouts)

2)Can you show me the research studies that show this intervention works for students like my child(such as sentence starters)/?

3) Can I observe to see how the intervention is delivered? Can I learn how to do it also, to support the teacher?

4) Can I review the materials associated with the intervention?

5) Can you show me any data that shows that any student of this teacher last year closed the achievement gap using this intervention?

6) How often will "g's" progress be monitored and can I gain access to the data collection that shows she is benefiting from the intervention?

7) What is your plan for changing the intensity, frequency, teacher training, size of class and/or methodology if my child does not make gap closing achievement in six weeks?

8) If "G" masters the goal more quickly than anticipated , will you adjust them upward at least every six weeks?

9) What pull outs for services can be done before or after school?

A comparison of her expected and actual rate of learning should be considered by the "TEAM" before more time in general education is recommended. I want nothing more than for "g" to be independent in general education and meeting sunshine state standards. I need more proof that she is ready to take that step to independence of more time in general Ed. I will sign and return the release of information form to you from her educational supplementary outside provider. They can provide great insight into the strengths and weakness areas of my child. According to outside documentation I believe she has mastered her math goal. I was left with the feeling that I was calling an interim for no good reason by your autism coach(who's name is not on my draft but present at the interim). Her inappropriate comments such as"if its not broke don't fix it" and "I'll be honest with you, they had to point out which one she was because I couldn't tell" only cause me to have to spend vital outside therapy money on advocates.

Thank you for your time and attention,



On The Fence

The hardest part of leaving pre-school with a child on the spectrum was not knowing where she would be attending kindergarten. The county only shows you an autism cluster program in your zone, so to me it was assumed that a cluster would be appropriate for all. When I mentioned to our well meaning tour guide at the Elementary school  that I would like to see a regular kindergarten classroom , she discouraged it. Crazed, knowing my child must fall somewhere in the middle , I asked the Director of the pre-school and all she could tell me bless her heart was that my child was "On The Fence". I say bless her heart because this pushed me to get my "Ducks In A Row". A mother has a wonderful ability to envision her child's future and see her child's options very clearly. I always say if you have a child with a learning difference you must have a plan A,B,C, and D at all times for all things. Wondering whats the big secret, I ate, slept, lived and breathed every day all day just  preparing for  "G's" transition IEP. I began to really see that the burden of proof is and will forever be on your child.These are the steps I took before my child's exit IEP from pre-school:

1) I researched Inclusion/least restrictive environment for weeks
2) I wrote letters to the county looking for answers and info
3) I got letters from therapist, tutors, and any extra activity she had participated in for independent proof of certain skills
4) I requested a copy of her records from pre-school.
Below is an example of a letter :

Dear Mr.

I am extremely concerned that *** ***** elementary has very limited options for my high functioning autistic daughter. The highest cluster at the site was clearly not even close to my daughters current level of performance(not even for 70%-30%) and the general education class possible had one aid that helped direct the entire class. There are three months of school left and my daughter is what they are calling on the fence, meaning to me that it could go either way. I feel I am being deterred from looking at other schools understanding that it is preferred by the county that student's attend their home schools. If the gap is so wide and I cant seem to get a straight answer about her placement next year it is only leaving my family and I  feeling victimized before our exit meeting has even taken place. Is Broward county in the practice of holding children's fates and futures over parents heads? What is the big secret all of a sudden about my child's placement? How can I properly prepare for a meeting when I am not allowed to know what the recommendation is before hand? It seems beyond unfair parents of average kid's know where their child will be placed but many ESE parents are put through much unnecessary undue stress and anxiety.

Sincerely,

This is not an example of a proper letter to obtain a service or to request something, that type of letter needs to have emotion out of it and stick to short facts with what you are requesting at the end. This letter shows the desperation I had after visiting/touring what was to be her elementary school autism cluster program. I do not believe inclusion is appropriate for everyone but clusters are not either. Placement is an important factor in your child's success whether they end up in  a cluster or general education classroom. Be able to prove your child abilities, look up sunshine state standards and make sure your child has as many of those abilities as possible, BEHAVIOR at this age is crucial for inclusion most people wont come right out and say "Hey it's your kids behavior". For some reason the most important things a parent needs to hear alot of professionals are still too worried about being politically correct to lay it out and say the truth. Only after you hear and accept the truth about your child can you change things for the better. If you see a certain behavior at home believe me they are doing it at school also.  Have common sense if your child is not potty trained yet total inclusion might not be the best place for them yet. Today I jokingly say she is an "On The fence Autistic" meaning she is on the fence with some autistic traits but not as close as she was at 3 to going over the fence into full blown autism.Set goals and don't wait for the school to achieve those goals, you make them happen with your child. For "G's" exit IEP from pre-school I wore a picture of her around my neck for all to see. Nothing gives me drive and determination like a child in need.

A Passion for Promise

A passion has evolved in I over the years for helping parents of kid's with disabilities. The ability to have an unbias opinion with experience look at the facts when a child  is not doing well academically and/or socially can make the difference between success or failure. When I say unbiased, I mean not the principle,county, teacher, parent, or even therapist whom all of course should be involved(it takes a village to raise a child). All of the people and more listed are necessary and have their place. The most valuable opinion's and guidance I have ever obtained has been from advocates that I retained for free through family network on disabilities or by hire. I can take the emotion out of advocating for other peoples children but when it comes to my own I find it difficult to do, and taking the emotion out of it is one very important key element along with listening between the lines and doing your homework.

The point is everyone truly has their own agenda, from the  administrators, school autism coaches,teacher assistants,area program specialists, autism family counselors,speech language pathologist ,LEA representatives,  ESE teachers, and  general education teachers you might all see at an IEP meeting you would think "Hey look at all these professionals, they must be making decisions that will enable my child to make the most meaningful progress , provide the proper services under the law, and stay on top of measuring his/or her goals". WRONG! The reality is these people are simply support and you the caretaker will be the constant driving force to ensure all the above is happening .Education is power in this situation, so use all these supports and learn from them. Take the knowledge with you because you will need to use it down the long fruitful road of raising that independent, sweet, focused human that will have many gifts to offer the community.

My first IEP meeting out of the safety net of Baudhuin pre-school was that of the LEA Representative(the person who holds and speaks for the counties money) telling me that she couldn't  tell me my child's placement(meaning if they could provide a supported classroom or not) even though my child's reading comprehension was testing well below pre- primer level. The number one rule always is "If it doesn't make sense, It's not true!). This just didn't match my child needs and I knew better from taking the time out to learn the laws. I thank this LEA Rep today because this experience gave me drive right out of the box, I now knew why the county spends so much money on educating parents because the system is flawed. Only  parents that have truly put the time in and paid attention will see the benefits for their children. My child's situation this time was handled through a letter with specific wording. The question really is what would have happened if I had said o.k. regular class  or not taken seriously the reading comprehension score. The comprehension score was actually corrected by me getting permission to pull her at noon everyday to attend Linda-mood Bell because the services the county could provide was not going to be  nearly enough to catch her up to speed in time. Some situations require intensity, meaning alot of time and sacrifice. Next, I will chat about teacher types and how the speed racer type can threaten to ruin a child's hard earned  academic career in a matter of a month.

Academic Percentiles It's All About The Numbers

Know your child's testing score numbers because this will determine if they stay on level and meet sunshine state standards.With Autism time is not on your side. Once diagnosed and you have the eligibility of Autism,The basis for receiving services in the public school system is all about the testing percentiles and you will need to pay close attention to these numbers whether you remain in the public school system or not. The county will test usually before an annual IEP(Individual Educational Plan) or you can do a written request for them to test (you better provide quality proof for the need of one). You must always have your own  independent academic testing. Below is a line you will live by for the rest of your child's  academic life.

                                                            Percentiles



  Weakness                                                 Average                                      Strength                                                                            
1                         25th                                           50th                                         75th
Special Services

So, if your child tests in the 1 to 25th percentile they are in need of special services and you have the right to advocate for them if the county is not providing the F.A.P.E (Free appropriate public education) that is academically necessary in order for your child to make meaningful progress. You want your child to be 50 % or above to be stable in an area and 75% or above means a strength or aptitude in the area. We have been to many "learning centers" in the area and I believe my child received something from all of them. I can tell you the lower your child's score in testing the more intense (meaning frequency and time) the academic intervention/therapy must be in order to see gains in the short amount of time you may have, this is why you must start early. "G" had a private academic tutor at four years old.

After the wonderful two years at Baudhuin just when you are starting to feel safe, secure, and are feeling great because you both have worked hard to make tremendous gains, it is time to transition to the real world called kindergarten This is where all those classes you took on the law , IEP's, letter writing, and inclusion are really going to pay off. You must know where your child stands because autism is a spectrum that can range from mild to severe but on the tour of your new school  they show you only an autism cluster  without showing you an "average" classroom(I hope this has changed to include talk of inclusion,supported classroom and where your child may fall on the spectrum). The rooms I saw were mostly gray with no pictures.One of the most outstanding features in the room was a T.V. that clung to the wall. I saw that money plays a huge factor, heard horror stories  from advocates of some clusters in the county being held in broom closets. For the most I think the county does the best with what they have but it is inevitably up to you to know the rules and laws so you can call them on their end of the bargain. the county will teach you from the beginning so be smart enough to learn the lingo ,the system,and the laws/ procedures because in most cases than not in some way or at some point you are going to have to use it.


I have come to learn over the years while advocating for my child that when  I butt heads or have a disagreement with an administrator, teacher, or professional in the field that their is something important that I am to learn from that person. So I didn't get along with the behaviorist yet what I learned from her was pivotal in "G's" recovery. My child is 10 now and this is still happening in fact just this year  I learned through butting heads with a teacher about the con's of differentiated instruction for a child on the spectrum.This is where placement in a class is based on academic testing alone and things like timing, organization, or oral comprehension scores are not even considered. My "G" is no longer in the public school system and now can be placed in an accelerated class according to academics but will fail it due to other skills being lower in percentile, so when they call it a puzzle it's extremely fitting and not just because of whats causing autism. These are some of the academic interventions we have used in the area

MSI offers Tutorial Program for Children in Grades K-5 | NSU News Center (super kid's good results)


Sylvan learning centers (least results)


Summer reading program advertised in the Public school office( zero results)


Lindamood-Bell® Learning Centers | Weston, FL (The most intensive educational therapy you will find in Broward county.) This center will provide you quality independent testing yearly at no additional charge. Our Doctor recommended it and we saw the most all around improvement out of all other academic interventions.

Educational & Diagnostic Services (EDS also recommended by her pediatrician) good testing, learned a new method of learning touch math, professional.


Boca Raton Brain Training Learning RX is brain training similar to the arrowsmith method.Executive, visual, and auditory processing speed remains the hardest things to make progress on. We did not see the results of Lindamood-Bell but we did see gains. Testing was good. Perhaps with more intensity our results would have been different. You buy the program it will be done at the center and they will teach you to do it.


http://clubztutoring.com/Broward_Miami/  Used them for years with excellent results Ramon Serrano (director) will work with you to find the perfect tutor.


C2 Education (not very intensive or understanding of special needs).


Kumon of Davie | Unlock Your Child’s True Potential Good for kid's in lower grades with not alot of homework. The director in Davie would not write us a letter of progress for an upcoming IEP meeting that we had to attend, so we left.

www.socialcommunicationstation.com The best social skills classes we have found. This is the higher level thinking skills they need for real world success. Both teachers are SPL'S!



After-school, weekend and summer camp | math classes and computer classes in FL, NC, CT and MO IMAC'S Institute for mathematics and computer science. "G" loved the computer classes and the summer camp was good. The actual program done during the school year has no pre or after testing so progress is not measured and we found it to be logic puzzle's which seemed to get less results than the brain training of learning RX.  One on one instruction is not offered here and the classes can be large. This place use to advertise to advanced children only. Again we did summer camp(5x a week but they dont do the math program in summer) and one session(meeting once a week) the frequency and intensity of a Lindamood -Bell  was just not there.

www.hwtears.com/  Handwriting without tears, google search to find a teacher in your area. Ours was done by  an extraordinary occupational therapist named laura Holmes who is trained in the program and works out of:http://specializedspch.com/Specialized_Speech,_Inc./Welcome.html We saw results in overall writing ability along with better and more confident use of her hands.

Specialized Speech Center, Inc.3335 North University Drive, Suite 5

Hollywood, Florida 33024

954-442-9422

I searched out this program after her third grade teacher mentioned her handwriting needed work. "G" always had weakness in her hand's and wrist. Look for trouble opening up doors, doing buttons, tying shoes and zipping zippers especially after you know that they  have the skill but still just dont seem to have full strength in hands to do the job right.

http://www.blastedu.com/ A good social skills class when they are young. I did not see the higher level social skills I was looking for being taught here.


http://www.theneurofeedbackinstitute.com/site/ We love neurofeedback and Rick Harris is awesome!
"G" went here for attention,certain behaviors, and anxiety. I believe this therapy helped her coping skills alot.

 http://www.amazon.com/Memorize-Minutes-Tables-Teaching-Manual/dp/0965176967 I love this manual. If you are having trouble with the times tables the Lindamood Bell visualizing and verbalizing program is the perfect compliment to this book.

As you might have guessed from the list above we could have bought a house or a college education with all the money we have spent thus far on educational therapy and the answer is yes the one we saw the most results from cost the most money but in return it continues to help still today. The public  school testing will look different not in percentiles so look for the Less Than sign like in math say for a DAR reading comprehension score, or a - negative sign in front of  understanding oral directions. Ignorance of testing scores is deadly and toxic to your child's academic future, so simply speak up and ask. To me academic testing scores should be the first thing discussed at an IEP because that determines whats academically necessary as far as services(speech,ot,accommodations,modifications). If you don't know you cant change it, this is where sometimes bad news is a blessing because time is not on your side, so the sooner you know the score the sooner you can find the appropriate academic intervention. These are only the academic interventions we have been through not including speech, OT, and of course the unconventional.. Next chapter will be "Our Story" and then you will truly understand why the numbers are so important.

Pre-School

The universe works in mysterious ways and the good lord puts you right where you need to be.Out of all the places in the county we could have moved we just happened to move close to the Baudhuin pre-school before we even had a child. The Baudhuin Pre-schoolhttp://www.nova.edu/humandevelopment/earlylearning/index.html in my opinion is this fabulous marriage between Nova University and Broward county. The resources, encouragement, information, and commitment to excellence there is phenomenal. One thing I was determined not to do was waste this blessing by remaining in denial in anyway so I embraced this opportunity and what it gave me in return was priceless. Please, if you are lucky enough to get your child in this school go to all the classes  and follow their advice they have for parents. It is alot of work but nothing good and worth while ever comes easy and it will determine an optimal outcome for your child in the future. I saw so many that still remained in denial "Oh I don't need the classes, they are coming out with a new supplement"or " I am just to busy" ect. Such wasted wasted precious time, but as with anything it only works if you work it.

Information immersion and putting what I had learned into practice. I have heard alot of parents at this age say well he knows his ABC's , she writes her name, and knows all the flash cards in the box. "G" could actually read in pre-school. I had to learn to stop defending and being defensive and focus on what was holding her back from being "normal". Looking back on it now being diagnosed just meant someone telling me we had some catch up to do. Dr. Manny Gonzalez-Abreu is another earth angel. Dr. Manny is now the associate director of the Baudhuin pre-school and he taught me much of what I know today. His Guidance showed me how to obtain the results we were looking for in "G". Here are just some of the classes I was able to take for free thanks to the county:

• Etiology and diagnosis of Autism
• Potty training and the special needs child
• Legal issues regarding least restrictive environment
• Social skills and the child with autism
• Inclusion making it work part two
• Understanding challenging behaviors in children diagnosed with Autism
• Financial planning for special needs individuals
• IDEA 2004 & least restrictive environment
• Quality IEP's
• How to use PECS(Picture exchange communication system)
• Educational learning strategies for disabilities

So you can see pre-school with a child newly diagnosed is time for the parent to go back to school. If I had to pick one person whom made the most impact on me and I am so glad she did it would have to be a behaviorist (free to me, Thank you Broward county). Victoria Sanchez ,was a women I loved to hate because she had the best advice and tools that I still use today but told me stuff I needed to hear but didn't necessarily want to hear about my child. Mrs. Sanchez thank you from the bottom of my heart. I was told flat out "If you don't get a handle on this behavior now, you can imagine what you will be dealing with when she is older" and with that she introduced me to the cost/economy/token reward system and my child's behavior started to change within a few weeks. I still use a version of this today. I learned that you must have behavior first then you can learn. I see so many parents who don't put behavior first and then expect their kid's to be welcomed with open arms in an educational program. Behaviors are not all normal stuff you might think of like using your inside voice but stemming and other behaviors can also be changed through the reward system. Any behaviors you can change to help your child blend in is key and can be done through behavior modification.The only key to this system is knowing what your child likes and being consistant.

Diagnosis Day Denial

Hearing things you don't want to hear? Becoming a member of a club you didn't want to join? As a first time stay at home Mom I recall looking out my front window thinking there must be life out there somewhere. Be careful what you wish for. My well meaning thought was just to join a local chapter of MOMS offering Moms support but life had way more than that in store for my child and myself.

I highly recommend support groups for both stay at home Mom's and working Mothers. The benefits are huge when you have an infant to pre-schooler. I now find myself wishing they had them for Moms with older kid's. Today even the best information I receive is from other Mothers. So now I am founder and president of a new Mommy support group and "G" (that's what we will call my daughter) and I are participating weekly with a group of over 30 women and kids in playgroups, activities, and events. I have always been a very intuitive person and as the days turned into years there where little signs and signals that all was not well with my child.

• Preferred to play alone even in a room full of children
• T.V. was her #1 priority
• She lined up her toys (not playing with them appropriately)
• Violent tantrums and self injurious behaviors (head banging)
• Arm flapping/stemming
• Milestones such as speech and walking always 4 to 6 months behind

At "G's" two year old well visit the Doc recommends we see a speech therapist so O.K. sucks but alright if it will help we shall go. I am forever grateful to Dr. Morrison today but I did not always feel this way. After a while in speech therapy I remember feeling put out and angry that my child required this extra step and going to get a second opinion. What they don't tell you is that speech therapy is only the beginning of what will become your new full time job.

The time between "G" being  2 and a half  to 3 years of age was a foggy time for me mentally and I can still feel the pain as if it were yesterday. Denial  or wishful thinking whatever you want to call it but the day I was called into the principals office at a local religious private pre-school and was told my child was no longer welcome to attend school there due to behaviors such as eating carpet and sand something snapped and I knew I had to face reality. At the time I thought well I guess we are not all gods children since that is what most religious schools preach but my real problem with the school is they couldn't tell you where to turn for help. I hope GD still has the phone # I went back and provided them to Children's diagnostic and treatment center's early intervention program through Broward county www.childrensdiagnostic.org/so other Mom's are not left in the same position as figure it out on your own. I just feel anyone who is an early education provider should be able to provide parents with where and how to receive help.  The irony here is the best pre-school in Broward county for Autism is located right next door to the school she was kicked out of but you need to be diagnosed through the county first in order to attend the Baudhuin Pre-school. Yes, still in denial "Hello", we took "G" to see an independent psychologist whom told us we better go through the county because If you have it diagnosed with me it's gonna cost you an arm and a leg.

The universe works in mysterious ways and we are all living. loving, and learning. I believe it will be the human experience(that is what we learn from each other) that will always be the most meaningful. That MOMS club I joined came back to me with a Devinne intervention and wake up call when a friend and mentor of mine from the club said to me "whats wrong with you, she has autism, I know because mine was just diagnosed and is getting fabulous treatment and care so go make an appointment with the county!". My husband carries a screaming, headbanging,inconsolable "G" into an assessment room and as a testament to how bad things had become in our house due to the monster she had become  "G" managed to spit out some single word utterances that weren't so sweet. I believe in Earth angels and Stephanie M. Kondy Ed.D. is one. That day she told us our child met the requirement for eligibility for ESE(Exceptional Student Education) under the diagnosis of Autism and when the denial ceased , relief and fear flooded  me and the real work began. In our area I believe the county to be the best provider(a one stop shop) for help, information, and services for early intervention in Autism.
They were my saviors in her early years by providing myself and my child an appropriate education and the best thing I have done to date for "G" is to have taken full advantage of what they had to offer. As you will hear later my relationship with the county is one of love and hate.