Parents in Pinellas! Please read, call with questions, and apply immediately if interested in the all day VPK opportunity from the Early Learning Coalition. When I saw the VPK all day option a few days ago, I was so excited to see a real community need being addressed. The VPK voucher is for about three…
Author: ruthfulness
A journey of education, access, advocating and love!
Educational Advocacy
Growing Up Fast
I’ve been pretty quiet this summer because I’m been much more reflective of the level of growth from my son. Although, we have our moments of struggle where we really see autism; we have seen so much growth. I’ve had moments in the past when I thought that my son may not every talk to…
Summer Swim Safety
In May, one year ago, my son could not swim. He loved the water but if he jumped in, he would sink to the bottom like a heavy rock! With summer approaching and a holiday weekend, many families have picnics and fun gatherings. One of the most common concerns with children with autism is wandering. …
Summer Camps
What a nightmare! Finding a summer camp for a typical child can be difficult; then add a child under 5 that has a developmental delay or a diagnosed condition. I dream about the day that early intervention is really supported and funded so that children under 5 that are placed in the public school programs…
Moms, does it get any easier?
Does it get any easier raising and fighting for a child that has special needs? From my veteran fighting moms….please tell me it does! In my recent experience this school year, shifting from public to private, I would say that it is not easier; it is different. Ways it changed: no more IEP meetings no…
Happy Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all those mom’s who advocate for their children! Keep going, keep fighting and be proud of the mom you have become. We need you and your family needs you to keep working for a better life for your child and all the children and families that will come after you. The…
Special Thanks
April is National Autism Awareness month and is most often jammed with events and fundraisers. I went to several great events this month and wish I could have made it too more. I also wish that we had months of autism awareness. I wish the opportunities presented to my family in April were available…
Step Up For Students Scholarship
This website, Step Up for Students, provides two options for parents: low-income or special needs. These two options should be considered when you are looking for alternative education plans for your special needs child. The first choice most often is for the use of Mackay Scholarship. Mackay is based on the student having an IEP…
WAIT! do not file intent with Mckay
Calm down! Do not make this mistake. Do not file for intent to use the Mckay scholarship until you have completed your IEP re-evaluation and or end of year review where you can make sure all the lists of services and accommodations are on the IEP. McKay Scholarship is provided by the Florida Department of…
IEP, PBIB, ABA, OT, SLP… What does all this mean?
When you first realize that your child is struggling to develop at the same level as other children their age, you begin the early intervention process. Little did you know that you would have to learn a new language: acronyms. Below is a list of acronyms that I have learned over the years working through…
Ruthfulness 