[blindkid] help for blind/autistic 14 yr old

Thu Oct 20 12:57:36 UTC 2011

Tim and Debbie,
What you need to understand about IEP writing---a great of what I have seen,
as much as others believe they are written for the child...many times IEPs
are written to the teacher's skills NOT to what the child needs. That is why
it is so important you learn what he needs, which you are doing...just keep
asking questions. Send your child's IEP to someone on this list or better,
someone local, who has gone through it before so they can help you.... Who
can also go to meetings with you.
The problem with writing an IEP that truly fits your child's needs, is IF
the TVI does not have the skills and you wrote it to what your child's
needs, the teacher will not be able to teach him

A TERRIBLE 2 edged sword. But you are on the right path...just keep asking
the questions
Denise

On Thu, Oct 20, 2011 at 5:43 AM, Carol Castellano <
carol_castellano at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hey, don't beat yourself up.  We all make mistakes and learn along the way.
>
> Have there been recent evaluations?  In what areas?  What do they show?
>
> Carol
>
> At 10:08 PM 10/19/2011, you wrote:
>
>> He is in mainstream school - things are becoming difficult.  He is in 8th
>> grade - he just for the first time, has a perkins brailler at home - that
>> came on Oct.12.  TOday for the first time - they  downloaded a NVDA screen
>> reading program for him to use at home.  He has never used his braillenoter
>> at home yet.  She wanted to set that up with computer today , but wrong
>> adapter - so waiting about a week or so for that.  This year is starting off
>> poorly and difficult communication.  I have spoken to to people on the state
>> level - put I don't want to go that route if I don't have too - I truly want
>> to find a different setting for him with a experienced autism teacher and
>> vision teacher.  His vision teacher has done a pretty good job with skills
>> when I look at IEP - but why no equipment at home???  Dumb me did not even
>> ask as I assumed this was how they did it in Mn.  When I started asking for
>> homework or practice material - they could not comprehend what I wanted.
>>  Then they email me district policy rules on homework.  I assumed that they
>> would expect him to practice skills at home - that was a wrong assumption. I
>> am learning a lot and have a better understanding of IEP etc.  Long learning
>> process and mistakes on my part made on this journey.
>>
>> Tom & Debbie O'Connor
>> toc6642 at charter.net
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Oct 19, 2011 at 9:10 AM, Carol Castellano wrote:
>>
>>  Is he in school now?  What is his placement and how are things going?
>>> Carol
>>>
>>> At 09:17 AM 10/19/2011, you wrote:
>>>
>>>> Carol - thanks for info.  I have heard it is good too, but have not read
>>>> it yet.  I am going to try to call them to talk.  We are having a very, very
>>>> hard time even finding a place for him and someone who would want to teach
>>>> him.  We are willing to pay a teacher if need be - maybe summer months for
>>>> tutoring help.  He is easy to work with and very funny.  He is so willing to
>>>> learn and hungry to understand, he is not your usual autistic kid, but some
>>>> tendencies are certainly there. - please keep us in mind if you should hear
>>>> of someone or some place. Moving would be hard in this economy, trying to
>>>> sell home etc - but maybe if there is someone out there I could find a place
>>>> to stay with my Son, through the church or something. I am just
>>>> brainstorming here.  WE are in Mn.  I have been in touch with Blind Inc. in
>>>> Mpls mn - but they do not know of any vision teachers with autism exp.
>>>>  Really - all they might need is the desire to help this child and read that
>>>> book you referenced!  That alone would be a great start for him.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again
>>>>
>>>> Tom & Debbie O'Connor
>>>> toc6642 at charter.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Oct 16, 2011 at 7:56 PM, Carol Castellano wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Hi Tom & Debbie,
>>>>>
>>>>> You may already have seen this, but Jay Gense and Marilyn Gense wrote a
>>>>> book called
>>>>>
>>>>> Autism Spectrum Disorders and Visual Impairment:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Meeting Students' Learning Needs.  I have not read it myself so cannot
>>>>> say if it is a good one, but you might want to take a look if you haven't
>>>>> already.  it's available here:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <http://www.afb.org/store/**product.asp?sku=978-0-89128-**
>>>>> 880-0&mscssid=**L263WDT9Q2K89JA4G3SLVPMVP34J7P**T2<http://www.afb.org/store/product.asp?sku=978-0-89128-880-0&mscssid=L263WDT9Q2K89JA4G3SLVPMVP34J7PT2>
>>>>> >http://www.afb.org/store/**product.asp?sku=978-0-89128-**
>>>>> 880-0&mscssid=**L263WDT9Q2K89JA4G3SLVPMVP34J7P**T2<http://www.afb.org/store/product.asp?sku=978-0-89128-880-0&mscssid=L263WDT9Q2K89JA4G3SLVPMVP34J7PT2>
>>>>> The Gense's teach in Oregon.  Perhaps that would be a good place to
>>>>> move to :-).
>>>>>
>>>>> I wish you good luck in your search.
>>>>>
>>>>> Carol
>>>>>
>>>>> Carol Castellano
>>>>> Director of Programs
>>>>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>>>>> 973-377-0976
>>>>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
>>>>> www.nopbc.org
>>>>>
>>>>> At 05:46 PM 10/14/2011, you wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>  We are seeking a school or person to help educate our very smart and
>>>>>> funny blind/autistic 14 yr old son.  We live in elk river mn. Willing to
>>>>>> drive or possible relocate.  Fairbault school for blind not an option for
>>>>>> us.  Please email us with resources or help. Thank you
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Tom & Debbie O'Connor
>>>>>> toc6642 at charter.net
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>>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
>>> Carol Castellano
>>> Director of Programs
>>> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
>>> 973-377-0976
>>> carol_castellano at verizon.net
>>> www.nopbc.org
>>> ______________________________**_________________
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>>
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>>
>
> Carol Castellano
> Director of Programs
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> 973-377-0976
> carol_castellano at verizon.net
> www.nopbc.org
>
> ______________________________**_________________
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>

-- 
Denise

Denise M. Robinson, TVI, Ph.D.
CEO, TechVision
Specialist in blind technology/teaching/training
Email:  yourtechvision at gmail.com <deniserob at gmail.com>
Website with hundreds of lessons: yourtechvision.com