Extended School Year
Lots of districts are cutting ESY this year. In response to this question:"But what if a student has more time than that specified in their IEP?"An administrator replied:"Families will be called for an...
View ArticleInspiration
Jana's post on inspiration gave me lots to think about today. (Thanks, Jana!) Coincidentally, it came on the same day that I have been reflecting on an aphorism I saw in a bathroom (inspiration comes...
View ArticleMarriage and special needs children
There have not been many strong studies on the impact of caring for a child with disabilities on marriage, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal, which reviewed a such few studies. I have...
View ArticleSuperstition and Universal Design
I've been thinking a lot about universal design as we work with contractors and local agencies, charities, friends and family to figure out how to remodel our five year old home to make the first floor...
View ArticleESY: A related service
Citing budget problems, many districts are cutting back on extended school year. Some districts have cancelled it altogether, others are reducing services. One district we heard of is simply not...
View ArticleTest Scores on Transcripts
Principals in my home district are lobbying the school board to adopt a new policy to place California Standardized Test Scores on students transcripts. The board discussed this last night. I was...
View ArticleAccess, It's an attitude!
We took the family out to see Night at the Museum 2 at our favorite local theatre. Why is it our favorite? Accessibility of course. It has wheelchair seating in the first row and unlike a competing...
View ArticleRefusing Medical Treatment
There was a great show on Talk of the Nation today on the right to refuse medical treatment based on the family that fled under a court order to provide chemo for their child with cancer. I have had...
View Article"The generosity of the voters"
Yesterday I went to Sacramento to speak to the legislative budget committee on what the committee chair sarcastically called "the governor's revised revision of the May revise" of the budget. The room...
View ArticleLest we forget
Recently in my home school district members of the board have been rallying to "study special education" to make sure it is "cost effective." Members of the community, alarmed by the violent cuts...
View ArticleA Modest Solution
Our board members will be forced into the untenable, miserable position of having to make additional cuts to the MDUSD budget. I do not envy their position, nor the pressure they will feel from...
View ArticleRegional Centers Denying services
Seems like everything I say, write and think about lately starts with "in the current economic climate..." but the truth is little has changed for my kid at school or in the regional center. For five...
View ArticleTraveling: Wheelchairs, service dog, meds and all
We are leaving today on a 10-day, four airplane, cross country trip-- two parents, three kids, a service dog and many items which will arouse the curiosity of the TSA, including a child with sensory...
View ArticleHome Again and Packing!
I had to take a bit of a hiatus from blogging-- things have been in a whirlwind!! Back again and getting ready to move. First things first, I promised a retrospective on our travel adventure. Just to...
View ArticleWhy South Dakota???
So many people have been asking, I thought I would write about our decision to go. For me, this is about acceptance.Caring for a child with needs as complex and intense as my daughter is a daily...
View ArticleA good day to move
Today was a good day. Unlike her two younger sisters, Emma has been a bit conflicted about our move. Really making sure I understand where my autistic, aphasiac non-verbal child is coming from with the...
View ArticleHippotherapy
One of the great things about our move is that my daughter will be able to ride-- we will probably get her a horse. We are finding out about Hippotherapy. Her aunt was a volunteer for a local group who...
View ArticleIEP Questions to Ask
Here is the first of many comparisons between California and South Dakota. Had a meeting with my daughter's future IEP team last week. We were a bit concerned about the move for her sake-- moving to a...
View ArticleSocialism, Fascism and Health Care
I have a child who is uninsurable. As with so many millions of Americans, she has a "pre-existing condition." Simply translated: "known to actually use medical services and therefore predictably too...
View ArticleCalifornia is not the heartland
We have had such amazing experiences since moving out of California. The term "heartland" for the midwest always struck me as a cliche (being from liberal, progressive California). But I am beginning...
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