Comments on: I Had to Learn to See Who He Is: An autism mother’s continuing education

By: Jenny McCarthy, Autism Mother

Jenny McCarthy, Autism Mother — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 03:56:48 +0000

[...] Being an autism mother these past ten years, I have learned a lot of things I would not otherwise have: epigenetics, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), what “stimming” is, why bread without wheat just isn’t the same, how to have a conversation with a tall 10-year-old using less than a dozen words (”Farm Families,” “tape,” “iPod,” “give,” “pig,” “meow,” “baby,” “two more”). With Charlie teaching me and challenging me, my education continues. [...]

By: Back to School with b5media (September Theme Day)

Back to School with b5media (September Theme Day) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:02:35 +0000

[...] never been in a classroom with so many new discoveries and unexpected flashes of wisdom as in my continuing education with [...]

By: Autism Vox » On the “Dis” of Disability

Autism Vox » On the “Dis” of Disability — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:51:29 +0000

[...] me about what might be thought depriving and negative about disablity. Life with Charlie is different from what I thought life raising a child might be, and distinctly, distinguishedly, good. ASD, [...]

By: Liz Ditz

Liz Ditz — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:43:29 +0000

Oh, Kristina, you are always such an inspiration to me…to love and honor the person in front of me, not the person I hoped he/she would be; to celebrate today’s achievements, not the achievements I’ve dreamed of.

By: Moi ;)

Moi ;) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:20:23 +0000

I think that is because I am a teacher, I pick up on that stuff. Besides, our administrators are morons. I don’t want to accept the school’s ideas of what my son can and can’t do, and I don’t think they have the right to dumb him down and stand in his way. So the highest standards I set are for THEM.

As for my son, the highest standards I set for him is for him to do the best he can for his ability. I don’t think any parent can ask for more than that (nor should they).

I also think that language in and of itself can totally change what dreams or possibilities our children have. (This is why I am President of the Try-everything-school to Attain Language.) And, without verbal language, they may themselves only think that they can do “so much” – it depends on their capabilities, what they are good at, and what they enjoy, and who has drummed what nonsense into them. We don’t live in a perfect world…(sigh)

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:44:21 +0000

Moi: You note one of the central contradictions I think of regarding this topic—- how to speak of total acceptance for what a child can do (knowing how hard our kids try) while also wanting to maintain the highest standards and, indeed, dreams? What I took from Winerip’s essay was the thought that, wherever our kids end up—at whatever college, job training, and so forth—-it’s for us to see what is a parent’s wish for a child, and what is the child’s own wish. And I do think that, however many or few words Charlie uses to explain his wishes, he will make his choice be known.

Thanks for all the information about Fast Forward!

Caroline, the Met is a great idea—-I suspect Charlie’s inclination might be to roam and I do think he may enjoy that big staircase—and I need to check out the new Greek and Roman wing for a future field trip with my students.

I’m very glad to be on this path with all of you.

By: Moi ;)

Moi ;) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:42:04 +0000

Gang – I think any of you whose kids are on the edge, like mine, all have a right to “expect” that your kids will go on to further education – because if you don’t, who will? For that matter, so do the rest of you. The school districts will lower the bar so far down that it will never be within reach if you don’t force them to keep it up. They don’t want to spend the money.

By: Moi ;)

Moi ;) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 16:37:30 +0000

Kristina – Bug was only 5 when we did FF, just after kindergarten. And he didn’t use the computer a lot, but he did know how to use the mouse – which is I think all you have to be able to do. If he can do that, then you’re good.

I would suggest you call Maxine Young and ask her – she is The Expert on FF, and she might even know someone up there where you are who has worked with kids like ours. She and her monitor were great with the kids.

By: Lisa/Jedi

Lisa/Jedi — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:47:44 +0000

Absolutely wonderful post, Kristina. If I may say so, I’m glad that we are on the same “path”.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 12:21:25 +0000

This is a great post.
My child’s “skills” fluctuate on a daily and sometimes hourly basis, so I treasure each happy smile and the times my child is able to enjoy being a kid.

Kristina, I do think Charlie would quite like the Metropolitan Museum. There are many different exhibits, each interesting visually, and not just pictures as you know of course. On Saturday evenings it is not that busy at all, and it is a great experience when one’s child is feeling well and has had a healthy dinner. And there are little kiosks to get treats if a reward is needed. (it often is for my child, or its just part of the fun)

My child went to a Howard Dean rally and knew all about him. HD is the only politician I have ever heard talk about fully funding IDEA. He was right about the war, wouldnt it be great if Washington woke up about IDEA.