| I am the proud mother of two young children that | | | | materials and tools possible to help him live a full and |
| were diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder a | | | | happy life. And one of the multiple roles that a parent |
| few years ago. One is now in grade one and the | | | | has to fill is the role of advocate. It does not matter if |
| other will register for kindergarten in the spring. | | | | your child is verbal or not, if his diagnosis is light, |
| As a teacher, I already had some experience with IEP | | | | moderate or severe on the spectrum. You have to |
| (Individualized Educational Plan) meetings which helped | | | | remember that your child has a disorder that affect his |
| me a great deal with my son's first IEP. I was able to | | | | communication skills and makes him unable to fend for |
| also inform my husband which also did a lot of | | | | himself. But foremost, your child is four going on five |
| research on the matter so he was already well | | | | years old and sees you as his voice. The person that |
| prepared to face our son's IEP. | | | | he can trust will fight for him, his best interests and his |
| Over the 17 years of teaching experience that I | | | | rights. |
| possess, I soon discovered that most parents tend to | | | | As your child advocate, it is not only your role to fight |
| lack both information and confidence in their role and | | | | for your child but also to research the various schools, |
| what type of services they can obtain for their child. | | | | their services and all the opportunities that are available |
| One of the sad things that I also have learned is that | | | | to your child. Do not enter the meeting room like a bull |
| depending on the school, the services vary and if you | | | | in a china shop as doors will be closing on you...and |
| do not ask for them, you will not necessarily have | | | | your child. Don't be shy! Ask questions; investigate the |
| them offered to you either. | | | | various services that can be offered to your child. |
| Both my children are situated on opposite ends of the | | | | Meet with various school administrators, school |
| spectrum, my daughter being on the higher end making | | | | divisions and the people responsible for the special |
| her diagnosis "light Autism" while my son is non-verbal | | | | needs programs. |
| which puts him on the lower end, diagnosed with | | | | For instance, in several schools where I taught, the |
| "moderate to severe Autism". | | | | following services which are provided in my son's |
| Having both their special needs, they also need | | | | school were never an option there. Such services are: |
| different services. For example, my daughter needed | | | | Music Therapy, occupational therapy activities including: |
| some physiotherapy but my son benefits from the use | | | | bowling, skating and swimming, sensory room, |
| of the sensory room at school as he is hypersensitive | | | | physiotherapy equipment such as a swinging beam, a |
| in several areas. | | | | modified bike, a weighted vest, a special chair, a |
| What does the term "special needs" really mean? Well, | | | | pressure vest, the use of PECS (Pictures Exchange |
| it simply means that your child needs special services | | | | Communication System), the participation to Special |
| and material to help him grow and reach his full | | | | Olympics activities and more. |
| potential in life. Henry Winkler, the actor known as the | | | | Another tip that I can give you is to set up a meeting |
| Fonz in Happy Days, who gave an amazing | | | | with the administrator of your school prior to the first |
| presentation as a keynote speaker at the NMSA | | | | day of school. Share with them your child's habits, |
| (National Middle School Association) annual conference | | | | needs and explain to them how to deal with their |
| held at Minneapolis two years ago, explained his | | | | frustrations, hypersensitivities issues, needs, routines |
| challenges with Dyslexia and the way education and | | | | and more. Introduce your child to them. At the IEP |
| his parents helped him out succeed in life. He also | | | | meeting, ask them for the creation of a social story |
| made it clear that his Dyslexia made him a child with | | | | book to introduce your child to his new surroundings by |
| special needs. This child has grown up as a successful | | | | looking at various pictures in advance: future |
| man and actor cherished by his fans. One of the things | | | | teacher(s), classroom, gym, teacher aid, music room, |
| that I remember the most is the fact that he thanked | | | | sensory room, secretary, administrators, etc. You will |
| both educators and his parents for not giving up on | | | | see the level of anxiety diminishing in both your child |
| him. | | | | and you. |
| All this made me realize that the role of a parent of a | | | | Let your love for your child guide you. Be your child's |
| child with ASD is not only to raise him with love and | | | | advocate and his voice. |
| patience but also to provide him with the best services, | | | | |