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…

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…

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…

Teacher Truth, Mom Truth

There is a saying in education.  OH, are you one of those public school teachers that puts their kid in private school?! Truth is…. Absolutely, I would and I did.  I am a public school teacher that will put her children in any school or program that meets their needs. Yes, I have placed my son…

HOPE

  Dear Parents with Children with Autism, I am writing you to reassure all parents out there that anything is possible for our children. It will be easy for doubt and uncertainty to run and rule your thoughts but stay strong.  Parents must keep fighting for their child(ren) and for the proper care necessary.  Please…

Grant Money Opportunities

Happy New Year!  Now, that 2018 has begun now is a great time to start researching and applying for grants for your child with autism or other diagnosis.   We want more money, more services and better care for our children with autism in 2018! I have researched the following grants and foundations.  Some I did…

Sensitive Santa for the win!

We had a great experience at Sensitive Santa at Westshore Mall last weekend.  We’ve not always had the best experience and outcome with visiting Santa but were very happy with this years opportunity.  Last year we tried three different times all paid opportunities to get a family picture and picture with Santa.  All three times,…