[blindkid] help for blind/autistic 14 yr old

Thu Oct 20 16:03:21 UTC 2011

I look forward to your call.
Carol

At 11:24 AM 10/20/2011, you wrote:
>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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>>>>>
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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
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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
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