A 2nd Voice

Seeing it through Visual Means.....

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Last June, I attended a Brooklyn meeting of grandmothers who have stepped up and taken responsibility for their grandchildren, after violence threatened to tear their families apart. They call themselves Grandmother’s LOV (Love Over Violence), and they are remarkable.

The grandmothers (and a...

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Autism - Independent Educational Psychologist

Dr. Hilary Dyer - Independent Educational Psychologist will be my Guest Speaker on Friday 18th May 2012. (Limited Seating) She will be doing a presentation and Q&A from 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Cost from £5.00 

For further information on what services she provides or to come down on the day. Check link below:-

http://www.a2ndvoice.com/useful-links/educational-pyschologist/dr-hilary-dyer/

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The Autism Show - June 15/16 Excel

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Autism Support Group - South West London

Looking forward to the next Autism Support Group on Friday 18th May, networking with other families.

In talks with a Independent Child & Educational Psychologist specializing in Neuro-atypical and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in children and young people, including Autism, ASD, Asperger’s, and Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia and Dyscalculia. Her role is also to offer assessments for children presenting with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, ADHD, Learning Difficulties and Challenging Behaviour. TO BE CONFIRMED

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Mark Brown founder of Special Help 4 Special Needs (SHSN), has worked with people with special needs for 29 years during which he has worked in long stay homes, including managing a home for adults with behavioural difficulties, as well as in direct work with parents and families. SHSN has been set up to provide children and young adults with special needs the support they and those around them require to grow and develop. This includes those with Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD/ADD and Developmental Delay. Workshops are held in the Boroughs of Wandsworth, Lambeth, Croydon, Merton and Surrounding Areas.  For bookings and forthcoming events contact on:- Mark Brown RNLD, Dip App Psych, Dip Prof Prac Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Website: shsn.co.uk

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Video: Dr. Sarita Freedman discusses disclosing autism to others Well explained about disclosure about Autism for children and adults

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Don't forget the Autistic Girls too!!!!

There has been numerous requests by parents/carers with girls/young women on the spectrum that enough is not being done in recognising that they need just as much support and guidance.

As I am aware of friends with boys on the spectrum. I need for many to inbox me so that I know how many parents/carers will attend when in preparation for a workshop for Girls on the Spectrum. I am just a messenger signposting to those who need to know that there are places that you can go...

Or alternatively please EMAIL me [email protected] and I will get back to you with dates or location when the event will take place.

http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/autism-and-asperger-syndrome-an-introduction/gender-and-autism/autism-why-do-more-boys-than-girls-develop-it.aspx

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My first Autistic Support Group - Tooting Area

On Friday 30th March 2012, after years of those close and believed in me, constantly telling me that I needed to do something more in helping other families and individuals. It comes naturally to me in just helping, guiding and supporting others (I don't like seeing people suffer, especially the young and vulnerable), but the need to go to another level and set up a support group. I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD DO IT!!!!

Dates for the Support Group commences

Friday 18th May

Friday 15th June

Friday 20th July

Friday 17th August

Friday 21st September

Friday 19th October

Friday 16th November

Friday 14th December (2nd Week)

  Mark Brown founder of Special Help 4 Special Needs - An Independent Special Needs Advisor came down and gave wealth of advice about children, young people and adults on the Spectrum. He will be setting up future workshops across London, I will be certainly booking him to come down to the support group based in the Tooting Area in due course - Dates to be confirmed.

Find out more about what he does, something that schools, work places and other establishments need to take note his fees are reasonable and worth booking him for a workshop or maybe advice with problems at school or home issues:-

http://www.shsn.co.uk 

Would like to say a special thank to Pastor Jonathan Swaby, Delroy and to all those who attended, it was a great start for April Autism Awareness Month!!! 

For all of us that raise a love one on the spectrum whether if they are at home or in residential care. Autism is our everyday life!!

I look forward to the next support group coming soon

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My Pastor tells me to talk about Autism

God is Gracious - Inspiring Generations

I attend a growing family based church in the South West London Area lead by Pastor Jonathan Swaby attended by his beautiful family and the God Is Gracious Family. From the time my son was diagnosed with autism, I would constantly hear and also read articles about parents being told to remove their noisy and disruptive child from the service the child was autistic.  

http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6627/9/ - Article as mentioned above

I did grow up in church in my early years, but left when I left home.  I returned in my later years, I left my previous church as my son was becoming difficult traveling back and thru and his behaviour became unbearable and I felt that it was stressful for me and his sisters to see this child act out of control (he was not diagnosed as yet and once diagnosed, still problems did not go away).

I missed church greatly and a church family friends told me that I should try God Is Gracious as it was near to where I lived at the time. I was not sure as I did not want to go through the long haul of explaining, debating and trying to keep my son still. But how different it was for me and my family.

The first time I stepped into God Is Gracious with my children, the girls probably missed the previous church and for Nathaniel he was just Nathaniel, he showed his true colours, (he was being himself) he could not sit still for one minute, he would run up and down, lie on the floor to attacking the Pastor and the Pastor's brother "Jason", I wanted run away, but Pastor's Wife "Sister Deborah" would take him away and talk to him or Mother Swaby encouraged me to not give up and that they were there to help me.

Little did I know later that Sister Deborah worked at an Autistic School. How cool was that? Life in church has never been the same. Nathaniel loves sitting near to praise and worship, but funny though, he hates loud places, but how Nathaniel got around the noise issue, (still may bother him at times), he would go to the speaker and listen to the vibration, then say loud and walk away.

The good thing at God is Gracious, they accommodate for all, so if the levels are loud, they will turn down. For many Autistic's individual, sensory is a issue, but for my son he has learnt to cope, if he can't handle it. We will know and is dealt with immediately.

If you see my son now, the drastic changes in him coming to church on Sunday and sitting still, sometimes or should I say the majority of the time he is on his PSP or Nintendo, which Pastor has agreed to, but has told Nathaniel at times he should try and listen, which he may do at times, rarely? He may have the occasional outbursts, but the sisters and brothers are at hand to assist if he becomes challenging, if he had a bad day at home, he would bring it to church or anywhere as a matter of fact!!

God is Gracious has given me hope for my son's future, not just naturally, but spiritually too. They are giving him the tools to allowing him to grow in his way within firm boundaries and still remain in a church, without being told to go home.  

With so much negative articles and bad experiences that I would hear and read.  God has truly opened my eyes to things that I would never of believed to have experienced in my Christian walk. You do have to have faith, believe and learn to let go.

Nathaniel knows now what to do (it's routine), he sits down, plugs in his equipment or sits in his regular spot near the drums, or when he sees the children he may sit from chair to chair, if he does not keep still.

You may hear or notice that Pastor will stop the service to request for someone to sit with him. But that goes saying, any child that is misbehaving, he will tell the child to behave in a nice way, (even to the youngest babes).

One thing that I had to do so that others could understand more about Autism was to testify and give updates as I knew the only way others could understand and show what God has done for me. My testimony will help others to know that there are places of fellowship that have open arms, that is my church.

My prayers were truly answered!  Many of the churches need to understand that we can't stay in the church and give thanks and ignore what is outside of the walls. We need to go outside and help those who feel they are not welcomed, whether they are autistic or not or have all other type of additional special needs! 

http://www.skyejethani.com/special-needs-boy-removed-from-church/762/ - Special needs

I have to continue thanking Pastor Swaby and his Family for all they have done as I know now, that my ministry is in helping others with disabilities and be A 2nd Voice, if need be. 

On the 30th March 2012, I set up my first Autistic Support Group to raise awareness about the condition - All are welcome, because one thing I have learnt I was isolated, not because I wanted to be, but because of other people who can't understand Autism and the complications that came with it for everyday life.

http://a2ndvoice.tumblr.com/#21375863041 - Next one in preparation

For further information:-

Email: [email protected]

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Part 9/10 Cries from the Heart

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I am Sam. I am 10. I have autism. This is some of my story about having autism and how learning about autism and all of those who have autism has made me want to help people with autism.   

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PLEASE SIGN THIS E-PETITION - GOVERNMENT TO STOP COUNCILS EXEMPTING AUTISM AS A DISABILITY

It is not easy raising a child on the spectrum as every day I learn something new. But it is society that makes things harder for me when applying for things and having to explain what problems I face with my son from day to day. 

Filling in forms when asking for descriptions and senarios to fit a description for my son to be entitled to anything for me is not fair as each child/young person or adult on the spectrum is unique to that person! But until the government and those making decisions for those we care for. To describe from getting dressed, putting to bed and getting up, to walking down the road to feeding them varies. 

Until the government learn about this complex condition the quicker the Autistic Community will be able to have some normality in their life. We need to listen to the Autistic Adults whether they are non-verbal or verbal many are able to explain clearly how they feel about many things!!

We all need to join together, instead of sitting back. Autism will not go away. Just because my son is now getting the right support and respite is in place to have one to one leisure away from me. THERE ARE MANY FAMILIES WHO FOR WHAT EVER THE REASON NEED FOR THE ONE THEY CARE FOR TO THE INDEPENDENT AUTISTIC ADULT TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY APPLY FOR!!!!

PLEASE JOIN THE E-PETITION IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/30719

The government should stop councils from exempting Autism as a disability - CLOSES IN MARCH 2013

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                                 Fighting for a Diagnosis

  We went through three pediatricians in our fight to get Mateo some sort of evaluation.  Two pediatricians told me emphatically that there was no way my son had autism.  He had good eye contact in the doctor’s office, he was affectionate, he interacted with them.  The problem is that we knew Mateo needed help.  At the very least, we felt he needed help with speech development.  Which leads me to the first specialist that evaluated Mateo:

Speech evaluation

Unfortunately, our health care system is a game of profit and not optimal care for human beings.  Mateo was evaluated at 21 months for speech by a Kaiser speech therapist.  Although Mateo only had 3 words and had had those same three words for almost a whole year, the therapist determined that there was nothing to be concerned with.  I insisted that he needed speech therapy at the least.  Kaiser agreed to give him 20 sessions a year, the equivalent of 1.5 sessions per month.  Thank god for Scottish Rite and their scholarships for all children who need speech therapy.  Scottish Rite believes every child needs to be heard and they provide scholarships for kids like Mateo whose insurance will not pay for the adequate therapy.

http://scottishrite.org/about/philanthropy-scholarships/ritecare/

Developmental Pathways

A federally funded program for children ages birth to 3 years old.  This program may go by a different name in your home state.  You can find this program at your local school.  The school should have all the info you need to have your child evaluated.  If your child qualifies, they may receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and developmental intervention.  These therapies are often provided at your home.

Mateo was evaluated by 3 specialist through Developmental Pathways.  These specialist clearly saw the signs of autism in Mateo.  They saw his gross motor difficulties, his speech delays and his inability to fully engage in social interaction.  Developmental Pathways provided Mateo with Developmental intervention therapy at home 6 times a month.  The only problem is, the specialists here cannot provide a clinical diagnosis.  They recommended that we pursue evaluation through Children’s Hospital.  Why pursue a clinical diagnosis?  Many well-meaning friends asked if that was even necessary.  If you don’t have a clinical diagnosis, you cheat your child of any support he may need in the future!  You need to protect your child and think ahead.  Don’t let anyone discourage you getting a full evaluation.  If your child needs help it’s up to you as the parent to find that help and support.

http://www.developmentalpathways.org/

The official diagnosis:

After changing from one pediatrician to another we finally found one who gave us the referral to Children’s Hospital for a full evaluation.  Three specialists were part of the eval:  A child psychologist, a speech therapist, and a physical therapist.  The process lasted three hours.  Mateo was happy during the evaluation and he was cooperative and interested in the whole thing.  We held out hope that the diagnosis would be negative.  Deep down we knew what would happen, though.  The signs were clear.  The diagnosis definitive:

Autism Disorder

Sensory Processing Disorder

Pervasive Sleep Disorder

Hypotonia and Gross Motor difficulties

What comes next?  How do we make sure Mateo gets the support he needs?

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Things I Learned from Autism:

1. Life goes on.

2. Take joy in the little things.

3. Special needs doesn’t mean all ‘normal’ things are taken away from your family life.

4. Our life is different, but it is normal to us.

5. We become more active in our child’s life – more…

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WORKSHOP "Auditory Processing Disorders and Dyslexia". MILTON KEYNES

Sunday 11 March 2012, 10.00am - 4.00pm Workshop "Auditory Processing Disorders and Dyslexia". A one-day workshop exploring the way our children perceive the world around them and how this impacts on their daily behaviour, learning and development. You will also learn more about Auditory Processing and how this impacts on language development, understanding, memory, reading, writing and speech. The workshop is aimed at parents, but is open to educational and health professionals or anyone interested in the subject. £ 40 per person - £ 60 for couples - please register your attendance by calling 020 - 3239 4880, or by  e-mailing us... more info.

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SENSORY ACTIVATION SOLUTIONS - OPEN HOUSE IN MILTON KEYNES

Upcoming events at our SAS Centre Milton Keynes: Tuesday 6 March 2012, 7.30pm - 9.00pm Open House for Parents and Carers. We will highlight the likely underlying causes of a range of learning and developmental difficulties and what can be done to overcome these. The presentation lasts for about one hour followed by Questions & Answers and is given by Steven Michaëlis. The evening is aimed at parents, but is open to educational and health professionals or anyone interested in the subject. Admission Free - please register your attendance by calling 020 - 3239 4880, or by e-mailing us ... more info.

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It is refreshing when seeing charities utilising media in raising awareness.