Spectrum Educational Services

Micah Sudom, my son and former ASDreams member, composed Give it Time.  His band, Mostly Micah, played it during high school graduation. Micah is the one on piano. Mostly Micah also provided the dinner music for the school district's teacher retirement party. Micah's first educational assistant and his kindergarten teacher both retired this year. The PUF administrator who got me started in the school support system was one of the two honoured educators at the event. The title Give it Time wasn't chosen for a graduation theme or a teacher retirement gig, however I can't imagine a more fitting title. Early educators who gave of their time not knowing how their involvement would shape the lives of their students. Junior high boys who spent six years eating their lunches together in the band room, learning new instruments and jamming together. A mom who invested 18 years into countless appointments with Family Supports for Children with Disabilities, service provide...

Alberta Health Services is offering an online session called, "Supporting and thriving with your loved ones affected by Asperger's Syndrome". This is the description: Adam has personal experience of living with a sibling diagnosed with Asperger's that he uses to guide others in understanding Asperger's and some commonly associated conditions. This will aid you in taking more informed care of the person with Asperger's in your life. Combining personal experience and training, Adam will explore how narrative approaches can help you connect to someone with this diagnosis. In addition, the personal impact on the caregiver will be discussed, including ideas for self-care. The course is available until June 10, 2016 at 11:00am.  Registration information available here.

Having trouble sleeping because your child is not sleeping? Hopefully this seminar will help.

These sessions are hosted by the Regional Autism Spectrum Disorder Coordinator, Wendy Johnson. Click on the image for a larger view.

Yes, the title is spelled correctly. I joined a team called "Brave Girls" to challenge myself to take 10,000 steps per day for the month of September. My biggest insight so far is I lead a very sedentary life. The first two days of September I added a walk to my day and barely reached the 5000 mark. I planned a long walk with a friend for later in the week and discovered it was still under 10000 steps. Fortunately other exercise can be converted into steps. A bike ride with my daughter nearly make me reach my target on the weekend. I'm realizing simply adding a pedometer doesn't change my activity level. I need to be intentional in adding exercise to my schedule. One of my technically savvy children suggested I shake the pedometer to reach my goal. It was a family lesson on integrity as I shared I would rather provide the true number than boost my stats artificially. I'm thankful for my team as we encourage each other both for days where we achieved our goal a...

September 18 marks the beginning of a new year of Linking Together: Parents and Community. This year we are introducing registration for individual sessions. While participants are welcome and encouraged to sign up for each session, we know that for some schedules regular attendance isn't possible. Since space is limited to 12 participants per session we encourage early registration to ensure your spot. The group is open to family members, including grandparents, caring for a child on, or likely on, the Autism Spectrum Disorder. That means even if you are waiting for a diagnosis or other Autism supports, the group is immediately accessible. The Medicine Hat News highlighted the success of Linking Together's first year  here . Whether you are new to the world of Autism or a veteran ASD parent ongoing access to information is vital as needs and supports change as children grow. Linking Together provides timely resources through hands on presentations by professionals ...

Time to register for fall activities. My son is taking the fall season off as he adjusts to grade nine. His idea. As a Mom it is great to know he understands his needs and chooses to create time and space for self regulating. Knowing how much he loves soccer, it is hard to see him give up a preferred activity to make it through the demands of school. It is not about the academics as he is a 90% and above student in most subjects. It is about managing the transitions of a new school year. It is not a new school and he knows most of the other students. Yet his anxiety remains and interferes with other aspects of life. He will likely be ready to play soccer in January. My heart is grieving for lost opportunities and thankful that we aren’t starting the school year already maxed out.

S pecial guest   Lisa Waites  brings music therapy to Linking Together participants today. Her thoughts as she prepared: I just finished assembling my materials for the "Linking Together" workshop that I'm giving twice tomorrow (12:30-2:30pm and 6:30-8:30pm), and now I'm too excited about it to go to sleep. It feels like Christmas Eve, for goodness sake! This isn't going to be a typical lecture format, and I can't wait to share some highly technical music therapy mumbo-jumbo in an accessible, creative fusion of methodological scaffolding, theoretical insights, and practical musico-behavioural applications. The combination of practical, hands on strategies combined with the expertise of local professionals makes Linking Together a valuable resource and support for parents raising their Autistic children.

     As a parent with children on the Autism spectrum, I've been both commended and scolded for how my children behave at restaurants.  I'm so thankful my identity is not tied to the varying and variable opinions of others.  Impatience by a waiter over a child who (again) needs more time to decide. Strange looks for allowing an older child to sit under the booth to escape the noise. Compassion for a child who believes is independent enough to find the washroom, but needs and receives redirection away from the doors to the kitchen. Congratulations from a table nearby for the excellent manners of my son who adds "thank you" to almost every verbal exchange with strangers.     Eating out as a family is an adventure with a highly variable cost/benefit  analysis.

When a special needs child becomes a student at school, the role of parent expands. With many different people and levels in the education system, learning to work together benefits the student. I've had the privilege of facilitating parent panels which gave educators the opportunity to hear directly from parents their experiences of navigating the system. The following is the handout I created for participants. We both play a valuable and distinct role in my child's life requires effective communication system share what is working School is only a part of my child's day extra disability supports greater need for down time regular kids activities Life continues after graduation parental hopes and dreams undergo continual readjustment pacing for the long term skills for life maximize abilities by strengthening strengths To receive supports, there must be demonstrated need it is hard to focus only on my child's special needs technical language can...

Twelve years ago today I heard the most amazing sound - my son's cry. After waiting longer than I can hold my breath, he took his first one. And let out a scream that lasted most of his first year and much of his second, third and fourth year. He punctuated the next few years with bursts of screaming, but his language abilities have held him up under all but the most trying times. Now he will scribble a scream, or write very large.  For which my ears are thankful. But his first scream? That was beautiful.