Matthew's Journey

What is PDD-NOS?

Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) is one of the autism spectrum disorders and is used to describe individuals who do not fully meet the criteria for autistic disorder or Asperger syndrome.

Matthew has autistic characteristics that are mild in a few areas such as social, repetitive behaviours , stimulation such as sound can be bothersome for him as well as difficulty with small motor skills.

In addition to PDD-NOS, Matthew has epilepsy that requires him to take medicine to keep the seizures controlled.

Here are some topics that will be covered in Matthew’s Journey

Matthew’s Role in our family....

Matthew is the middle child in the Zoccole family. He loves his 2 sisters: Jaimee (19 years) and Aaryn ( 9 years).

To his sisters, Matthew is funny, loving, sweet, considerate, bothersome and pesty all rolled into a unique personality.

Matthew is well-loved and appreciated in our family. As well, his limitations are understood and supported.

His dad, Owen, takes a special interest in Matthew’s interest in various activities like Halloween (for dressing up) and other such as Harry Potter, Batman, and the Bears football team.

Some of Matthew’s favourite things...

Bubbles

Harry Potter

Computers

Swimming

Helicopters

Roller Coasters

Navigating while travelling

Additional Note:Each First Nation community is given a funding formula amount from the Department of Indian Affairs. Prior to 2004, there was no allocation for special education funding. Presently, there is a funding formula available that is not “needs based” but an equal distribution funding for all first nations communities to equally distribute funding equally amongst all communities. However, this is not enough to meet the needs of students all First Nation students in Ontario.

As the Director of Education, Matthew’s dad, Owen proposed a Canadian Charter of Rights Challenge against the Department of Indian Affairs for failing to meet the needs of special education children on First Nation reserves. After the lawyers looked into this suit, it was discovered that based on the chiefs’ financial and political negotiations, this suit could not go forward against the Department of Indian Affairs as the chiefs were politically and financially culpable.

It was very disappointing to find that my son’s special education needs could not be met because some chiefs had unilaterally met and made decisions which prevented my son, as well as all First Nation students in Ontario from getting their needs met.