Life As Life As Little Rainman’s Mom Little Rainman’s Mom A Special Accounting
To Start WithTo Start With
Told as a parentGood luck from kids..not sex jokesQuestions and AnswersPermission
Overview of ThemesOverview of Themes
Early Detection and InterventionFamily ChallengesInappropriate BehaviorCommunicationSocial SkillsAbstract Vs. ConcreteAttitudinal Healing
In the beginningIn the beginning
Grew up FloridaFirst love gemsAir ForceGemologyMet Jim…moved to Canada6 kids later…my real gems
Off to GIA (Gemology School)Off to GIA (Gemology School)
me
The Gemological Institute of America, Santa Monica, CA
David Machine – Mind AliveDavid Machine – Mind AliveThe Digital Audio Visual
Integration Device
Light and Sound therapy
Great results
Grief CycleGrief CycleDr. Kubler-Ross identified five stages in grief
cycle. They are:
1. Denial2. Anger3. Bargaining4. Sadness5. Acceptance They can be experienced in any order and
even together
Autism CluesAutism Clues
Missed social cues
Not “getting jokes”
Enjoys literal idioms
Lack of reality “sense”
Strong reaction to external
Raining Cat’s and Dogs!
Not in touch with realityNot in touch with reality
3 barefoot in snow
4 Stephen chimney
5 hugged a tire
6 bike across highway
8 neighbors pool
9 threatened me
11 knife to school
Experiencing Loss of MichaelExperiencing Loss of Michael
I wish I could have unlimited lives so I could add a life for Michael.
Caregivers forgetting obviousCaregivers forgetting obvious
“Well, when the bed squeaks, maybe the springs need to be oiled!”
Archie Social Story
Picky EatersPicky Eaters
“I don’t want no mayonnaise!
War over small stuff not worth it.
Socialization more important
Behavior ChallengesBehavior Challenges
Either push or get in
Don’t you know how to handle your kid!
Mrs Lorenz is “unfair to Jonathan” wall
Empowering Kids At SchoolEmpowering Kids At SchoolPochahantis
Shaping Tomorrow
Invisibility:
“For this type of conference special needs kids”
Collaboration with teamCollaboration with team
Parent told me teacher not good
I trusted principal
Everyone doing best
Turned out great
Grade 1 – Mrs SGrade 1 – Mrs S
Learned to lie (abstract)
Shincaryk feathers slide
I told Mrs P I had a tummy ache!
Mrs. Shincaryk doesn’t have feathers!
Swimming PoolSwimming Pool
Jonny missing at pool!
Don’t worry, mom, I took the back alleys, so strangers wouldn’t get me!
Pretty smart, eh?
New OrleansNew OrleansWhat if plane blows up
and parachute down?
Added: Before I get on plane, we go thru an X-ray to make sure there aren’t concealed weapons. Only good people will fly on this plane!
New Orleans ConferenceNew Orleans Conference
Ya mean I get money for these books? Cool!
“Lionel, its me again, Jonny, this time I’m older.”
Difficulties of raising six kidsDifficulties of raising six kids
No it isn’t, you just raise them one at a time!
Hope for FutureHope for FutureMedication pros, cons
IPP = same page and equal
“Jonny continually challenges them put teaching in perspective…what’s really important.”
Little Rainman grade 4 kids read on their own!
Feeling vulnerableFeeling vulnerable
Put words in his mouth
Simple, easy for everyone to understand.
Temple Grandin Temple Grandin TestimonialTestimonial
These pictures are some of the best illustrations of what autism is. They give the reader a really good picture of how a child with autism thinks. They think with pictures in their head.
I use them in my presentation and lectures to demonstrate visual thinking process.
Temple Grandin, Presenter, Author "Thinking in Pictures"
What is a social storyWhat is a social story
Carol Gray said LR like one big Social Story
Social Story helps individual get “in” their environment, not outside looking in. They become scripted actors in their own life’s play.
Jerry Jampolsky Jerry Jampolsky CoincidencesCoincidences
“God’s way of remaining anonymous”
Arlington
Lamar
Woodbury
Sign birthday and Jonathan man
What we doWhat we do
KEEN Education Foundation
Exceptional Resources
Keys To The Treasure Chest
Autismtoday.com
First signsFirst signs
Alex in jolly jumperBrain scanSpecialist
“though your son doesn’t have a brain tumor, I’m afraid he has Cerebral Palsy.”
Alex therapyAlex therapy
First diagnosis: Ataxic Cerebral Palsy
Speech Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Label controversyLabel controversy
Dog and cat picture
Good for funding
Communicate intervention concepts
Bad for gross generalization
FamilyFamily
Dig for supportNeed flexible reliefBetter education
Large family forces Jonny to interact with others in his face whether he likes it or not.
How special needs effect How special needs effect other siblingsother siblings
EmbarrasmentProtectionBus driver..archiePrideSpecial Needs family
Special neighborsSpecial neighbors
Deep pressure calms
Squeeze machine, mattress, aqua-massage
Kim said:
“It’s like the pots giving birth!”
SocializationSocializationBeavers & CubsFootball
Mom, I’m the only one that can communicate to Jonny’s other dimension. He’s in another world, mom, we even say:
“Earth calling Jonny”
Playing favoritesPlaying favorites
Kids say we favor
Extended at distance
Through prayer, medication and meditation
Unique familyUnique family
Routines impossibleHope they share storyJonny inventory…
Diagnosing Jefferson
Future PromiseFuture Promise
Seek understanding..sharingPositive advocacyWork with kids
What Does It Mean To MeI Am Special
Recipe for SuccessRecipe for Success
Raise awareness, educateParents accept diagnosis, get past denialParents, educators, support..same pageEqual treatment to allOpen minded, relentless persistenceNon-judgmental or defensiveMost importantly child is the focus
As a Gemologist True GemsAs a Gemologist True Gems
I’ve learned to look at the inclusions within gems as beautiful characteristics rather than flaws. Each unique in their own way. My children are my own little gems.