It's been a couple weeks of moments that have lef...
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
It's been a couple weeks of moments that have left me questioning this journey I am walking. Autism. A journey no parent imagines.  When pregnant, for the sixth time, often I was asked "what do you want?". My answer was always the same. "I don't care, girl or boy, I want healthy but if I can't have healthy I hope that I have the strength and support of friends and family to give this child what he or she needs." Fast forward to diagnosis. As I sat sobbing in the car, a man, the President of the school HSA stopped by my car and peered in. I won't ever forget the expression on his face. It wa ..read more
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Going for Greatness, Creating Certification Legislation for Paraprofessionals
Behind the Face of Autism
by
4y ago
It is estimated that 207,010 students ages 6-21 are considered disabled in the state of New Jersey. New Jersey is 3.6% higher than the National Average meaning that the need for Paraprofessionals or support educators within our districts is at an all time high. While these individuals support our most vulnerable children, there are no mandated certifications in place.It is time that we take this job to a career. What are the characteristics that make a quality paraprofessional candidate? These individuals will have a strong desire to impact children in a positive way. They will desire to lear ..read more
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To All The Professionals
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
To All the Professionals: I know that when a child comes into your office or classroom, it is your job to assess them. I understand that to give them what they need you have to identify their weaknesses and their shortcomings. I understand that some children will struggle more than others and that each of us is unique. I know that today, teachers, medical professionals, social workers and counselors have more on their plates than ever before. I can read the statistics. I see an increase in reported disabilities. I am aware that in education, teachers are no longer just there to teach but do s ..read more
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Our Broken System
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
Yesterday I got a call from another Therapy Company. They don't service Warren County. My case manager from insurance insisted that they could help me to get services for our daughter. Unfortunately, our insurance company doesn't know about the lack of services in our community. We live in one of the most rural counties here in New Jersey. Finding services is something I have been working on since our daughter was diagnosed in May 2015. There have in fact been moments of support. First, through what I understood to be a non-profit wishing to give my girl a leg up. They did, until they couldn ..read more
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The Nightmare
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
Its not often I live the last four years in an hour but every once in a while there is reason for it. Yesterday was one of those reasons. Today, my eyes burn from the tears that late into the night as I lay in my bed, exhausted. I relived the nightmare. Nearly 4 years ago my daughter was diagnosed with mild to moderate autism. At the time I expected we'd have amazing insurance coverage providing my child the best of what our great state had to offer, except, it didn't. I often say we did what we were supposed to. We went to school, got good jobs, focused on raising a family and following wha ..read more
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Autism and New Jersey, Why Are We Number One
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
Recently a friend, a mom friend who is dedicated to children, their well being and making sure that our society creates a more friendly space for all children posted on Facebook asking why the rates of autism in New Jersey are so high? Her post stemmed from an article she read on NJ.com about the new Autism Cares Bill signed by Trump recently. Her post got me thinking as so many friends now have the courage to ask me questions and I am willing to answer. Its an opportunity to share our story, to grow others in understanding and to help seek a better education for parents who are living in a wo ..read more
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Fired Up
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
Have you ever spent a weekend trying to sort out all the information thrown out at you regarding something that you have become so passionate about you almost stand still, like a deer in headlights? I'm there but internally, I am fired up beyond belief. This year, I have the privilege to sit in a room of individuals both family advocates and self advocates and participate in a program called Partners in Policymaking. This program, offered by Rutgers through The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities has left me sitting fired up without a clear path on where to begin. That being said, I a ..read more
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Changing the Culture of Support Teachers
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
A couple years ago, my life changed. It wasn't autism. It was in fact the support professional that carefully attended to my daughter when she was at school. In one school year, my daughter grew exponentially, academically, socially and emotionally. I wrote about the piece then, and it was picked up by The Mighty. What I didn't expect was over 3,000 people would love that story. I know why. It resonates with them. For a parent sending a child off to school, its a scary experience. For a parent sending a child with a disability off to school it nearly sucks the life out of you. While you want ..read more
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To My Typical Kids, I Am Sorry
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
I must not be alone as a favorite blogger just shared a post about feeling like they are missing out on going to do stuff. See, for us, we can't and if we do, its split up because, well, autism. To my typical kids, I am sorry. I know its YOUR break too but getting out of the house is exhausting. First, we have to plan. We have to make sure your sister is fed, that she is rested, our headphones are on our person. We have to find an activity that she can do and if it surrounds meal time, we have to make sure there is something she can eat. I get it, it cuts into your break. In the days leading ..read more
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In Response to Ignorance
Behind the Face of Autism
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4y ago
Earlier this week The Mighty posted a piece I had written about inclusion. It stemmed from a comment made to me by a community member. I wrote about inclusion and its beauty. I'll be honest, long ago, I was an uneducated human willing to ask my child not be in the inclusion class but that was before my oldest was. It was beautiful. In fact this past year we ran into a child she tried to help and both the mother and I spent an hour catching up in a parking lot reminiscing about the beauty of the group. Academically it didn't pull her down but emotionally and socially it made her a better person ..read more
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