[blindkid] help for blind/autistic 14 yr old

Thu Oct 20 15:24:25 UTC 2011

thanks Carol - sure do - it is quite the learning process.  I will try 
to call you soon and discuss - got your number from below your email. 
Too much to put in email.

Thanks!
Deb

Tom & Debbie O'Connor
toc6642 at charter.net

On Thu, Oct 20, 2011 at 7:43 AM, Carol Castellano 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=L263WDT9Q2K89JA4G3SLVPMVP34J7PT2>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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>>>
>>> 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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>
> Carol Castellano
> Director of Programs
> National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
> 973-377-0976
> carol_castellano at verizon.net
> www.nopbc.org
> _______________________________________________
> blindkid mailing list
> blindkid at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindkid_nfbnet.org
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> blindkid:
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