Tag: Autism
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Just something I never seem to get to say at an IEP meeting
Dear Special Educator, I know it’s that time of year when you are counting down the days until summer. I can still remember that feeling, especially strong during my first few years as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. I admire your dedication to my children and to the field of education.…
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Blessings in this New Year
Happy New Year! 2023 is here! It’s fun to know we will be living in the same house for the entire year. The husband is already looking at where we may move next. Life can’t always be predictable, but we can always adapt. Being a Sign Language Interpreter at my home church is such a…
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Falling into the Change of a New Season
Taking a family vacation takes…courage! While vacationing in New Hampshire, I heard a political commercial say ”When you’re the parent of a child with special needs you have to be strong.” Since my children have very specific sensory needs, I had to learn how to help them learn how to avoid meltdowns. It’s hard to…
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Animals don’t Judge
Stop and think about that. Words from a humble, insightful docent at the St. Louis Aquarium. It’s a girls weekend for E2 and I. We went decadent and booked ourselves at the Union Station which has everything; light shows, fire shows, a koi pond, a Ferris wheel and yes an aquarium too. I was gonna…
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I’m always trying to do this
Well, it’s been 6 months now since we moved to St. Louis Missouri and life is starting to feel settled. The kids are in school, the husband works from home and I accepted a full time positive with an office outside of the home (Praise God). Every so often I will stop to wonder if…
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Autism Mom, Squared
By Chelsea Hull I find lots of things fascinating about my family’s journey, some of it IS difficult and overwhelming. However, I can laugh at the funny moments and smile during the precious times. When challenges arise that come along with raising a child who has a high IQ but limited impulse control, I love…
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Autism on the Playground
“This will go down on your permanent record” is not only a quote from a Violet Femmes song, it’s what a noon duty told my sweet Kindergartner a few years ago. Since then, I’ve come to forgive her for saying those harsh words to my son. I know all adults are human and we all…
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Caring about a Diagnosis
I was born into an exceptional family, raised by my mother who was deaf, a rubella baby, with a heart condition. I have been a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for 20 years in four different states. I am also the co-founder of the Hands & Voices Military Project, we are part…
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Autism is Not a Label
Since my son was diagnosed with Autism I’ve had some pretty intense conversations about the word. I’ve read lots of blogs, become a fan of several Autistic YouTubers and listened to all of Temple Gradin’s Audible books. Here is something I’ve been wanting to say: Stop calling Autism a label. A label is something you…