| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
CharityG
Butterfly
Joined: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 11
Location: Kristiansand, Norway
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:35 am Post subject: New to this world |
 |
|
Hello,
I live in Norway and have a 5 year old grandson in Pennsylvania who is in the process of being diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. We/his parents and us (the grandparents) think he may very well have Aspergers. We are teaming up in a effort to help this little man to find the help he needs to "be all that he can be!" Our daughter is now experiencing that the process of diagnosis is only the beginning of what appears to be a long and difficult journey. Unfortunately the school system does not seem capable of providing adequate support. After sharing with other parents of children with special needs, she sees that this kind of resistance from the school and special ed staff is more the norm than the exception. They are now on a waiting list to have a private evaluation and diagnosis done. The waiting list is 6 months long! 6 months is a long time in the life of a child and the family. So the present struggle is what to do to help him in the interim.
I am registered here hoping to find people who understand and can provide both emotional and practical support. Although I am across the ocean, I am the primary researcher in the family. There are 3 children in the family with our little special guy being the middle child - who requires the most attention and patience from parents and his other siblings. I have the time and with a medical background from earlier in life I can more quickly grasp terminology and funnel them the most pertinent information to help reduce their sense of being overwhelmed by a staggering flood of information. 
I am looking forward to meeting others and benefiting from your personal and collective.
Fondly,
CharityG
_________________
Choosing the road less traveled |
|
| Back to top |
|
Gifted-Monster
Sea Gull
Joined: Jun 13, 2008
Age: 19
Posts: 211
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome, Charity!
Sad to say, most schools the world over are resistant to aspies.
We're considered freaks...aberrations by the NT's.
For schooling, based upon this site, it seems home-schooling is often a better option since during the formative years at school, Aspy children will be ridiculed and the massive sensory influx can lead to them being overwhelmed.
And home-schooling allows Aspy children to flourish at their own rate and not be forced onto other topics with little or no understanding.
Regards
Ashley
_________________
"We will not capitulate - no, never! We may be destroyed, but if we are, we shall drag a world with us - a world in flames."
- Adolf Hitler |
|
| Back to top |
|
Bradleigh
Skilled Aspie Magician
Joined: May 26, 2008
Age: 18
Posts: 4267
Location: Sydney, Australia
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to WP, it is a long and hard journey for the proper support. I think it is cool that you have come to find out how you can help your grandson.
_________________
They're sinking cities with a GIANT WOOOOORM!!!!
7th virtue: Humility |
|
| Back to top |
|
drybones
Toucan
Joined: May 15, 2008
Age: 39
Posts: 254
Location: UK
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to WP Charity
your post was touching - good luck helping the little guy |
|
| Back to top |
|
JerryHatake
Die Hard Mason Fan
Joined: Jul 02, 2006
Age: 20
Posts: 9388
Location: Woodbridge, VA
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
Nice to meet you, Charity. 
_________________
Each person gets his or her own freedom and passion one by one
For us who were born in order to shine, our journey will continue
The trump card that supports the uncertain days is your Soul
|
|
| Back to top |
|
iceb
Tarkalean hawk
Joined: Apr 27, 2007
Posts: 1344
Location: The Liberator flight deck
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to Wrongplanet
Dig the avatar!
_________________
Wisdom must be gathered, it cannot be given.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
jat
Snowy Owl
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 151
Location: Pennsylvania
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Hi CharityG!
I know that 6 months seems like a long time, and it is, in the life of a child. Unfortunately, it is a short time for a waiting list for an evaluation.  Depending on where your grandson is in the state, the services, attitudes, and school options vary widely. Some areas of the state have virtually no effective resources for children on the spectrum, particularly in schools. Many of the rural districts have only "special education" rooms, or "regular education" and they don't understand or accept the concept of inclusion with supports despite the laws. They also don't recognize that many children require supports even if they have average and above intelligence, so children who are bright and require supports are left to struggle in a regular classroom, or they are placed in "special education" with watered-down curricula which is far beneath their capabilities. Most of the suburban districts have better services than that. Some are better than others. The urban areas have problems of their own, due at least in part to low funds and high needs.
If there is any way that I can be helpful, since I live in Pennsylvania, feel free to pm me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Tim_Tex
WP's Resident Simpsons and South Park Aficionado
Joined: Jul 03, 2004
Age: 28
Posts: 22319
Location: San Marcos, Texas
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to WP!
_________________
When you need something, that's a responsibility, that only an adult...of my maturity...Bunnies!!!
~Meatwad, Aqua Teen Hunger Force |
|
| Back to top |
|
sld123
Hummingbird
Joined: Mar 29, 2008
Posts: 23
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Focslain
Snowy Owl
Joined: Jun 19, 2008
Age: 27
Posts: 142
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: pennsylvania parents |
|
|
I know how bad the school system can be. my mom fought the maryland school system for years to get what was needed for me and my brother. I wasn't able to take full advantage, but my brother did (oh god she broke the system's back when fighting for him). I'll forward this link to her and see if she can offer any assistance. |
|
| Back to top |
|
Ancalagon
Sea Gull
Joined: Dec 26, 2007
Posts: 243
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Welcome to WP.
_________________
"If you can't explain something to a six-year-old, you really don't understand it yourself." -Einstein
"Don't think outside the box - find the box" -Andy Hunt & Dave Thomas |
|
| Back to top |
|
CharityG
Butterfly
Joined: Jun 16, 2008
Posts: 11
Location: Kristiansand, Norway
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:22 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you so much for the welcomes!!!
I am off to be with the kids this coming Sunday and hope to lend as much support as I can. Our 5 yr old Josh makes sure life never gets dull.
He appears to mechanically inclined which is leading to some "interesting happenings." His daddy gave him the use of the electric drill/screwdriver and let him take apart an old central air conditioning unit. This worked out beautifully, however several days later daddy found the door to the electric unit for their own unit open with some wires hanging down!  Should Josh have inadvertently allowed 2 wires to touch he would have been fried!!
At age 3 he did the impossible, according the toy company. They had purchased 2 of those 4 wheeler children's carts for the kids to ride in the yard. (Josh btw, got on and rode it like he had been driving since birth!) Josh went down the basement and found the batteries sitting on dad's work bench. He hooked the 2 together which is supposed to be impossible. Mom smelled smoke, investigated and called dad at work. A possible disaster was avoided. The company told them it was impossible to be able to hook the 2 together... my son in law replied, "Well, my 3 year old just did it, so you better check out your connections better!" They received 2 new batteries FREE.
He is currently on the 5 yr old swim team at their swim club. Luckily the coach is highly skilled with special kids. He has not been able to swim in a meet yet though because "one has to be able to complete a whole practice before being allowed to do so." Enough said?
_________________
Choosing the road less traveled |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
