Who are these “qualified” people in charge of our children? Literally, I’m speechless.  Incidents like these are happening far too often.

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Check out this article written in the NY Times yesterday regarding the use of iPads as therapy for kids with autism.  Perhaps this is news to you…perhaps not.  I think in the “special needs world” it’s known that iPads and other technology can have huge impacts on kids who are on the spectrum or who have developmental disabilities, like Emma.  The number of ways that technology can benefit these kids is big…and growing.  The article mentions that iPads (specifically the apps on the iPads) can help with social skills, fine motor skills, academic skills, and communication skills…just to name a few.

What may be more unknown is that if your child receives services through the State, they can apply for assistive technology.  Here, in Arizona, Emma receives services through the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).  Through them she receives OT, PT, hippo, speech, respite, and habilitation.  Their services have been a god-send to Emma and Brett and myself.  Is your child a recipient of services in your state?  Unfortunately it’s called something different in every state, so I can’t help with googling in your state.  In Arizona, the DDD is under the Department of Economic Security…that might be a place to start.

A few months ago I did apply for an assistive technology device for Emma.  It requires a lot of paperwork on your part, some from the speech therapist, and a prescription for it.  And it will require evaluations by other therapists to see if your child qualifies.  I’m still waiting on the processing of said paper work <tapping fingers>, and hopefully that will come soon.  Do we already have technology?  Yes.  Emma has an iTouch that she uses for games and for learning.  We have it stocked with apps.  However, some of the educational apps can be hundreds or thousands of dollars.  When you receive your assistive technology device, it will come with the necessary apps that they qualify for.  Not to mention the fact that she’s visually impaired and a larger screen would help her out!

Read the article from the NY Times and tell me what you think.  Are there some apps you have that work well with your child?  There are some great sites out there that will list the best apps for kids with special needs.  Let me know what you find!  I can tell you we have a bunch for Emma, but the ones that trace letters with your fingers (Alphabet Tracing and ABCs and Me), as well as the Monkey Preschool Lunchbox are great.

ProLoQuo is an amazing app for developing speech!

Does your child have assistive technology?  Are there apps that you can recommend?  And lastly, what is your “DDD” called in your state?  Take a minute and leave a comment to help any readers out there starting out on this track!

I love this story and I had to pass it along.  Just another story about how parents are fighting for what their child deserves.

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Have a great weekend, everyone!! Hopefully on Monday I’ll have a wonderful progress report on Emma and her new medication!

Here’s another feel-good story that I couldn’t resist sharing. For it is stories like this one that gives me encouragement and determination and motivation for the future. Enjoy!

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t be “recommending” a book when technically I haven’t finished it yet.  But I’m almost done…just about 100 pages to go (it’s over 500 pages long).  I’m going to go ahead and recommend it anyway.  It’s by Jodi Picoult, author of My Sister’s Keeper, which was an awesome read, though I didn’t like the ending.  This book is called House Rules, and the main character, Jacob, has Asperger’s Syndrome.  This book has some moments that make me wonder, “could this happen? To us?” His character is fascinating, though, and I’m anxious to get to the ending of it.

There have been quite a few moments in the book that have hit a little close to home.  A little too familiar to me.  Even though Jacob is 18 in the book, autistic characteristics are still characteristics at any age.  There’s one passage where Emma (how ironic), Jacob’s mom, describes living life for Jacob:

“I fight for Jacob’s IEPs, and I wrestle him to the ground when he goes ballistic in a public place.  I have carved a life out of doing what needs to be done, because you can rail to the heavens, but in the end, when you’re through, you will still be ankle-deep in the same situation.  I am the one who’s strong, so that Jacob doesn’t have to be.”

Obviously Emma’s situation and my situation aren’t mirror images.  I don’t wrestle my Emma to the ground as I can still manage her on the rare occasion she has a temper tantrum in a public place.  And while I’m super strong for my Emma, I am trying to raise her to be strong as well.  Another point that should be made is that Emma’s a single mom because Jacob’s dad couldn’t handle his diagnosis.  I do thank God that I am not in this alone.  I don’t know how I could raise our children without Brett.  Another passage I really like:

“This is what you can’t explain to a mother who doesn’t have an autistic child: Of course I love my son.  Of course I would never want a life without him.  But that doesn’t mean that I am not exhausted every minute of the day.  That I don’t worry about his future, and my lack of one.  That sometimes, before I can catch myself, I imagine what my life would have been like if Jacob did not have Asperger’s.  That– like Atlas– I think just for once it would be nice to have someone else bear the weight of my family’s world on his shoulder’s, instead of me.”

While reading this book, because it is so detail oriented, I wonder what research Jodi Picoult did to prepare writing this book.  It must have been extensive.  I do recommend it with caution, however, to mother’s of kids with AS.  Jacob is on trial for homicide in the book.  Again, another “what if” or “could this really happen”.  But it’s quite the mystery.  There is another topic this book points out, that I will save for a later post.  Something that Brett and I think about…probably more often then we let on.  Let me know if you have read it or if you decide to read it.

What good books are you reading?

One more video about Autism…the whole topic is fascinating, and I don’t mean that in a “good” way. There’s so much to learn about it and from it. Take, for example, this lady:

In other news, Brett and I leave for Florida today….without kids!  We are attending the wedding of some good friends of ours.  I couldn’t be more excited for them; they are a beautiful couple inside and out.  I couldn’t be more excited for us!  I think the last time we had a beach vacation without the kids was our honeymoon!  We’re staying in Boca Grande.  Here’s a picture to make you jealous!

Look, they already reserved our chairs!

I know it’s the end of April already, and I apologize.  But things like this slip my mind because Emma isn’t diagnosed with autism.  But, as I’ve explained before, she definitely has characteristics on the spectrum.  So autism does and will always hold a special place in my heart.  Emma has been on a waiting list on and off for music therapy for years.  And, in fact, I have a name of a new lady that I need to call.  After watching this video, calling her will be on the top of my priority list.  Emma responds really well to music.  She’s always loved it.  Perhaps it’s in the blood…she loves to watch me play the piano (for about 38 seconds before she takes over the keyboard).  But many kids on the spectrum respond really well to music therapy.  Check out this video that I found on Dear cjane….I love this.

Do you watch the show?  I LOVE it.  One of the best shows on TV right now.  I can relate to it on a few different levels.  First, Max, a little boy on the show, just got diagnosed with Aspergers.  And while Emma doesn’t have Aspergers, she has some autistic characteristics.  Secondly, you know the beginning when they’re all sitting around a big table outside at the grandparent’s house?  That’s like our family at my in-laws.  We have a blast. And I just love seeing all the dynamic relationships between family members.  I’m telling ya, if you haven’t watched it, take a peek and tell me what you think!