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From the Archives – Inspired by Carly’s Voice

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Technical Difficulties graphicDue to some scheduling snafu’s and a technical glitch, I don’t have an interview for you this week. I do however, want to share three interviews from the archives.

I’m listening to the audio version of Carly’s Voice, an absolutely stunning book about a young woman with Autism. Technology allowed her to share herself with us and I think we are only beginning to see the changes her words will bring.

Listening to this book reminds me of three interviews I have done that I want share again, in case you missed them.

Provider Search DirectoryOne is with Tyler Burke of Provider Search Directory. Tyler’s service helps families connect with people and services and as Carly’ story demonstrates, finding the right fit is so incredibly important. Listen here.

The second interview is with Dr. Mueller of Stimulus Publications. Dr. Mueller and I talk about what ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, is and how to work with your child’s IEP Team to help your child. I think ABA had a significant impact on Carly and allowed her the glimpse the possible. Listen here.

MaximumPotentialKids.comThe third interview is with Garrett Butch of Maximum Potential Kids. Garrett and I talked about ABA from a parent’s point of view. Clearly ABA gave Carly’s parent’s hope and let them see the possibilities. Listen here.

Please let us know your thoughts and any questions you may have. You can just leave a comment or if you want to keep it private, go to out Contact Page and fill out the form.

Next week I will post an interview with an author who has a very unique way of helping other’s meet your child. Stay tuned!

Enjoy!

Sandra

P.S Click here to find more Interviews.

P.P.S Are you interested in being interviewed or being a guest writer? Contact me here, please.

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I Think You Should – or Not.

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Seattle with Space Needle and Mt. Ranier

 

 

Note: This came up in my work with An IEP for Me! and I thought I’d share it with you. As Special Needs Families we often face similar situations. Let me know what you think in the comments.

 

What you can do with Unsolicited Advice

I have a really big goal in my life. I have shared it with some people but recently I’ve been hearing a lot of, “I think you should…” responses.

Now here’s the thing…

No one knows me the way I know me.

  • They don’t see the world through the same lens that do
  • They don’t know what I’ve done to explore this goal
  • They don’t know the research I’ve done
  • They don’t know my likes and dislikes
  • The don’t know what I hope to accomplish with this goal

They only know little pieces of a few pieces of the puzzle.

Now I’m not saying that their advice is unwarranted but it’s not the only option. What they hope I would accomplish by following this advice is clearly something I need to explore, but I have chosen not to explore it the way they are telling me they think I should for several reasons, none of which matter.

The ultimate response though, is that I want to accomplish something and I’m choosing a different path to get there. It’s not a right or wrong path rather it’s the right path for me.

So if I were to listen to them when they say, “I think you should…” I would just abandon my goal because what they’re suggesting is something that I feel is really not possible in my life right now and I feel it’s not something I want to do. But I understand what following their advice would accomplish. If I were to do what they’re suggesting I understand what I would learn but there are other ways to do it.

Truth or Consequences

Often when we hear someone say, “I think you should…” we allow ourselves to be led down a path that is not authentic. It doesn’t serve us personally. Or we say to ourselves, “I can’t do that” and we abandon the goal and our dream.

Maybe what our well-meaning family and friends suggest is a good idea for us or maybe there is a better way that suits our needs and wants in a more authentic way.

I believe that when someone says, “I think you should…”, we can hear what they have to say, think about how their advice may or may not serve us and then choose what we believe will work best for ourselves.

I think you should.

What do you think?

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Reflections on Autism Awareness Month

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Yesterday was the last day of Autism Awareness Month. 

Whew. What an emotional roller coaster.

I believe that Awareness is the first step to Acceptance but what we really strive for, what all Families with Special Needs Family Members strive for, is Inclusion.

So I was truly shocked and extremely saddened by some of the the things I read – at the lack of awareness of the uniqueness of each person and their needs, at the lack of acceptance of a different perspective or opinion. And at the lack of Inclusion within our own Special Needs Community.

This past month I learned that Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion must start with us. With the Special Needs Community.

While we may be aware, we certainly don’t accept all and we don’t include all. There are many opinions and ideas, therapies and treatments, groups and organizations in the Autism Community and the larger Special Needs Community. And we don’t all agree with each other.

But we don’t have to.

What we do have to do is be civil and courteous.

Each person with Special Needs and each Family is different. Each has different needs, wants, dreams and goals. Just like everyone else. And each Special Needs Family has the right to choose what is best for them.

We must treat each other the way we ask the rest of the world to treat us – with dignity and respect. Otherwise, how can we possibly ask that of others?

Mother Teresa was once invited to attend an anti-war rally. She declined. Shocked, the organizers asked her why. She told them that when they have a Peace Rally to invite her, she’d be there.

Welcome to the Special Needs Peace Rally.

Here and on Our Special Families Village Facebook Page, you will find information on a variety of Special Needs related topics.

And they might not all agree with each other.

One post might have information on why you should vaccinate your child and another might share the case against it. I will present the information and you can decide what is right for you and your Family.

One interview might share ideas for helping your Child make the most of an Inclusion setting at school and another might explain the benefits of a Special Day Class setting. Again, I will present the information and you decide if it is right for you.

My goal is to find the best information available and share it with you. Not to find only the stuff you will agree with.

But what will not be tolerated here is the kind of negative, polarizing and hurtful judgement I witnessed from some in the Autism Community last month.

We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.

-Attributed to Mahatma Ghandi

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