Tag: Special Education
-
Advocate like a Mother, Chelsea
2023 came and went with several strong advocacy cases. Alongside other parents, I was able to address issues of eligibility, FULL accessibility, proper evaluations for children with Autism, deafness and ADHD. I also supported families as they advocated for proper school placements. I’m very proud of how the cases ended, with relationships in tact and…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Love, Teaching and Loving the Special Children we Teach
Chelsea Hull (SPECIAL MOM & FORMER TEACHER) Have you ever had a teacher tell you, “I LOVE your child”? Or “I just LOVE your child, BUT…” Have you stopped and thought about that? Was it COLLOQUIAL? Do you think it’s appropriate for a teacher to tell a parent they LOVE their child? Probably not literally.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…