Comments for Little Miss Sunshine

Comment on Statement Of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton On World Autism Awareness Day by Allen Taylor

Allen Taylor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:34:06 +0000

Nice writing. You are on my RSS reader now so I can read more from you down the road.

Allen Taylor

Comment on The Guilt Factor by Donna

Donna — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:27:27 +0000

This is probably one of the best articles I’ve read lately – thanks for sharing it!

Comment on One Step Forward, A Million Back by Donna

Donna — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:27:01 +0000

Hey there,

Just reading your note, not sure if you’ve gotten this far yet, or if you know this, but you can request your own Functional Behavioral Assessment from the IU. Like anything, it might take a while, and they will probably tell you no at first and that it’s not necessary. But, as a parent, you can request it, verbally and in writing, and legally, they have to complete it.

Last year, I requested one in May for my little guy, who was mouthing toys at preschool. At the time, his itinerant teacher, who saw him for about 25 minutes a week said they couldn’t do it until he started school again in the fall and that was if, and only if, he exhibited behaviors. So, I dropped it for about 6-8weeks until I learned from other parents that when you can request it, they have to do it. I then contacted the IU and told them of my prior request and requested again formally and in writing. It was finally completely wrapped up by October.

While the IU’s provider completed the eval. and report, I was able to get the IU to agree to a minimal amount of ABA hours a week from an outside provider. (threatening to bring an advocate or actually bringing one works)
And, I have to say the addition of the ABA component has been making a difference.
~DOnna

Comment on Classical Music by Donna

Donna — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:16:34 +0000

Hi there,
It’s Donna (Kevin’s mom). Just found your blog…such a great idea and I’m sure it’s very therapeutic (no pun intended) to have a place to get your thoughts out.
On the subject of music, music has been a big driving force in my little guys’ lives since they’ve been born. And since I’m a music junkie, it’s great for all of us. We have moved from Raffi – thanks goodness – to more sophistacted fare such as the Beatles, Motown, and occasionally, 70s dance music.
But, it’s true music has soothed my “savage beasts” in the car, in the house, in line at the grocery store or waiting for the dr., all I have to say is, “what song do you want to sing?”
And, I have to emphasis the word “sing” because about a year ago, we could barely get one word at a time out of him. Music has completely helped his language development and for that I am grateful!
So, keep the hits coming!!!!!
Donna

Comment on Classical Music by how to download free mp3 music

how to download free mp3 music — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:07:17 +0000

[...] Little Miss Sunshine wrote an interesting post today on Classical MusicHere’s a quick excerptI had not tried classical music in a long time….We have one classical music station and thankfully they were playing something soft and mellow….When I was pregnant with both the Princess and Miss Sunshine, I played a lot of classical music. It soothed me and the baby inside….Perhaps classical music has another amazing use. Well, for Miss Sunshine anyway. … [...]

Comment on Sometimes Other’s Just Don’t Understand by My Autism treatment site

My Autism treatment site — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:01:59 +0000

My Autism treatment site

Doctors may be learning another way of detecting exactly what is or isn’ t going on in the brain as it relates to autism or spectrum disorders. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is showing doctors what works or doesn’ t work in the autistic brain (our b…

Comment on Sometimes Other’s Just Don’t Understand by Chelle

Chelle — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 01:41:33 +0000

(((hugs))) I can somewhat relate with you in regards to finding out who your real friends are. I’ve lost most of mine, when I started using aids and becoming more public with my vision loss. A lot of them didn’t believe me that I hadn’t lost anymore vision than I had the months or weeks before I broke down and got my first white cane. It’s not that I didn’t spend hours before the cane trying to explain to them how much funtional (really how little) vision I do have. They were really strange around me and started to find excuses not to go out and do things with me and if they did the didn’t know how to act around me now that I was now “legally blind”. It’s the people who stick by you and still treat you and yours as real people instead of a disablity or a family member of a person who has a disablity.

Hang in there, I know times are tough but the little things that make you smile about Little Miss Sunshine make you smile even brighter because you and your daughter worked hard to get to that moment.

Comment on Psychological Evaluation by Frances

Frances — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:28:54 +0000

Hi Sharon,
You sound like you are doing all the righ things for your daughter. My son was also very active at this age and up from dawn until about 11 and it just about wore me out!

I don’t know if you want my advise but if you don’s agree with that last diagnosis of Oppositional yada can’t remember the right wording see if you can challange it. In NYC it is much harder to get an Inclusion Placement with that label. IMHO many people who do evaluations are smug jerks who just churn out cookie cutter work and usually don’t have much to back them up.

E amil me if you want to vent privately!

Comment on Why I began Writing this Blog by Brandy

Brandy — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:18:07 +0000

Thank you for this blog. I am also a mother of a child that is going through the ADHD/Autism diagnosis process. It is amazing how difficult the process is. My son has an appointment with the psychiatrist next week. We are very fortunate to live near Mayo clinic (our local psych. won’t see children under 6 years old-my son is 5) We too were in denial over our sons attention/hyperactivity issues. After my nephew was diagnosed with pdd-nos, we really couldn’t ignore the issue anymore, not to mention that he was wreaking havoc in kindergarten.
He is an extremely bright and imaginative boy, I hate filling out all the surveys. I feel as if in being subjective I’m admitting my child is less than perfect.
Please feel free to get in touch with me via my email. Again, thank you for your blog…in helping me realize I’m not alone…

Comment on Aggravation with Therapy by myhobbyisyarn

myhobbyisyarn — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:20:48 +0000

Aw that sucks! I’m sure it’s happened to other parent there (not that it will make you feel any better). It’s too bad that everyone had to be so nasty. It’s not the same, but I have the naughtiest kids no matter where I go, and when I get dirty looks and nasty comments, I tell them that they can feel better now because they’re better parents with better kids. Hopefully next time it’s not as crowded.