Three Things Thursday … the easiest blog to write. I don’t even have to write it the night before. I just need to be able to count to three while I eat my oatmeal. I can do this. Here we go.
1. I’m Mr. Mom This Weekend
Tiff is going to California for a milestone birthday for one of her best friends. So for 2 1/2 days, it’s just me and the kids. I’ve taken care of them before, but not for this long without any help. Normally, there would be grandparents to help out and stuff like that, but we’re in Colorado now and the family is in California.
So, if you follow me on Twitter or if you’re friends with me on Facebook and you notice inactivity and wonder if I’m dead … I probably am.
2. We’re Still Fighting To Get Jack In School
We have a situation going on right now where we’re really struggling to get Jack in school. He’s home all day with Tiff while we get this sorted out, but at this point, we don’t have a school to put him in that’s safe and he’s sitting at home regressing. His self-injurious behaviors are increasing. And we have nowhere to take him. They’re both going stir-crazy. It’s really making them both pretty miserable and that has a trickle-down effect on the rest of us. We’re not on the outs or anything like that, but it’s really wrecking us from the inside out. This autism thing has an impact waaaaaaay beyond the kid that gets the life sentence. One of these days I might spill all the details about what’s going on with the school. But right now isn’t that day. I don’t know who’s reading this. Ya know?
3. I’m A Jerk
On Tuesday I was arguing with Tiff about all of this school stuff. It’s been tough on us and I told her some pretty harsh things about her and Jack. I didn’t mean what I said, but I did say some pretty nasty things out of frustration. And she told me, although not seriously, that I should tell everybody on my blog what a jerk I was and that I’m not as great as some people think I am. Well now you know. I’m not Superman. I’m a hothead when I get mad.
Anyways, I’m throwing in a song video. I like this one and it’s growing on me.
OK, that’s all. Who dies first, me or the kids? What do you think should be the minimum qualifications to work with kids with autism in a public school? Do you hate me now that you know I’m a jerk? I hope not! Have a good weekend![subscribe2]
I was going to agree with you and say they need something more than a high school diploma. But, then I realized our public shool paraeducator for our six year old severely autistic son only has a high school diploma. He has learned more from her than the general education teacher, special education teacher, or the school speech therapist (they all have Masters degrees). I think the requirements should be knowledge and understanding of autism, sensitivity, compassion, patience, and being fully committed to inclusion. She orchestrates his learning environment, both academically and socially. Someone could have all the education and degrees in the world an this will not make them the best person to work with an autistic child.
Teresa,
I agree with you completely! I don’t think any of Asia’s para-pros had more than a high school diploma and for the most part, they were fantastic! Most gave us their home phone numbers so we could brainstorm after school hours. We passed a notebook back and forth daily so we could update her with issues at home and she could tell us about the day. They were wonderful.
Sam, you know that Jerry and I wish you and Tiff all the best in this fight, and have complete faith that you and Jack will be the winners.
Best of luck to you this weekend! I think everyone knows your human and have flaws as well. Even a good man can’t be good at all times. The struggle you two deal with daily is unbelievable to everyone outside of it.
I have curious to ask you if you would be willing to share the early days of Jacks diagnosis. When did you start to notice something was off with him, what were the first signs, what age? Would you be open to sharing a blog post about that?
I have to imagine Jack is an identified student with special needs. If his behavior isn’t something the school can’t provide for they should be obligated to locate and find an out of district placement that will benefit Jack. Hope the process works out and some normalcy is restored.
I have to imagine Jack is an identified student with special needs. If his behavior isn’t something the school can’t provide for they should be obligated to locate and fund an out of district placement that will benefit Jack. Hope the process works out and some normalcy is restored.
May the force be with you.
I’ll chime in on the requirements for a teacher’s aide/para-prof. I think that the standards should be higher than what they are but education is now what it should be in this country. I know most of the ones at the high school where I taught only had a high school diploma; all the ones I spoke to had a love for working with the students and did attend training offered by the school to learn how to help the students and I doubt many had training beyond what the school district provided. I know a couple of teachers aides/para-prof and one was in that role for years because she could not pass the exam needed to gain entrance into a teaching program; she worked very hard but her own learning disability made passing the exam nearly impossible; she loved working with the students and was very good at what she did. I know there were students in our high school whose parents felt they could not get the assistance for their children and they fought and got the school district to pay for their children to attend school elsewhere.
As for you being a jerk…well men have that natural tendency. If you own up to it and admit you were wrong, then are a step ahead of most men. Tiff deserves a weekend away (I know you agree) so please make sure she returns to all her children and husband still alive. Good luck with that…
Reread my post –
It should state that education is NOT what it should be. One little typo completely changed that sentence.