tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post8967140728847563459..comments2008-08-02T01:17:56.049-07:00S.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07862458535714883672noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-1759324260099891322008-08-02T01:17:00.000-07:002008-08-02T01:17:00.000-07:00Good Job! :)Timhttp://speziell.telefonsex-zentrale.de/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-55379194514543655562008-06-22T23:14:00.000-07:002008-06-22T23:14:00.000-07:00This Story is Terrible! My little girl just turned 4 today! She was just evaluted by the school and they say she has mild autism, if you know the Spectrum scale shes a 35, meaning that 0-30 is completly normal, 31-17 Is Mild, and 38-to 60 is severe. The only thing my daugher really doesnt do is communicate well, she doesnt really speak very much, she says three word phrases shes is acutally getting better now, they are putting her in a program and giving her 300 minutes of speech therapy a week, Shes a very very bright child and normally on the good days she will try and tell us what she wants or she will drag us to it, her hearing is very sensitve she puts her hands over her ears, and throws a comptely different kind of tantrum, but she does not speak well at all, Reading this story makes me worry about putting her in school, I would really like to talk to some other mothers who have children on the autism spectrum.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-33353384492052710782008-06-05T15:15:00.000-07:002008-06-05T15:15:00.000-07:00Josef: Thanks. I appreciate your understanding--and your comments.<BR/><BR/>Anon (just above): I agree completely, and I love what you have to say about that celeb mom. :) And, I do sincerely hope that Alex and his family felt our support.S.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07862458535714883672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-30019804216202623062008-05-28T23:02:00.000-07:002008-05-28T23:02:00.000-07:00The actions of this so-called teacher are reprehensible. She not only set this poor young man back, but she also let the other 16 students in her classroom think that bullying is acceptable. <BR/><BR/>As a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum Disorder and a teacher, I can not understand what possessed theses actions.<BR/><BR/>And quite honestly, the celebrity mentioned in the original blog about her son being cured, should shut her mouth or get behind the rest of us fighting for our children (sorry...had to say it). <BR/><BR/>Hopefully, the support being generated gives this family some small piece of comfort and opens these eyes of many others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-70855468670749072122008-05-28T20:43:00.000-07:002008-05-28T20:43:00.000-07:00Not a problem. I'm just angry and I hope people who read my comment understood very clearly that I want justice for that boy and his family whom just so happen to be American citizens.<BR/><BR/>I'm happy to see the comments policed and keep the right-wing ranting and raving throughout my system right now out.Josefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15640880063411237742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-22123959424744434942008-05-28T20:01:00.000-07:002008-05-28T20:01:00.000-07:00Thank you everyone for your comments! This surely is a HOT topic. Hopefully, this will open up a further discussion on:<BR/>a. our education system<BR/>b. special education, mainstream, and inclusion--what more needs to be done?<BR/>c. tolerance and social acceptance<BR/>And many more topics! I know I've seen an ugly side of society (those that have suggested this child needs a good spanking, or blame his parents, or feel "a kid like that" has no business being in the classroom, etc.). I've become keenly aware on how much of the public (some secretly, I suppose) would prefer we keep our kids away from the world. Shame on them!<BR/><BR/>anon (#1): You bring up some great questions, and hopefully more information about what exactly went wrong & where in this case. I know just from speaking to friends (some parents, some teachers) in other states, the services and standards vary greatly. That is a major problem. <BR/><BR/>beingammey: I've been thrilled to see how much of the blogging community has come together to write on this--and it sounds, at least for now, to have made a difference.<BR/><BR/>mike:<BR/>Thanks you SO much for the info, and for the links. I hope EVERYONE reaches out (& continues to do so--this case is far from over!!).<BR/><BR/>angela:<BR/>Me too! I hate that this family & especially this little boy has had to go through this. But hopefully this will open some major discussions, make change, and tell our schools to get with the program.<BR/><BR/>paula:<BR/>You are right on! :)<BR/><BR/>marla:<BR/>I know, it seems like a constant struggle, to get the right services or placement, and then hope we get good teachers. Of course, all of that as we deal with the day to day stuff!<BR/><BR/>spike:<BR/>It's unreal that this is what a teacher thought was a good idea. To put any child in that position--to be voted out like they were on Survivor. Inexcusable.<BR/><BR/>anon #2:<BR/>Your comment was deleted because it was thoroughly offensive. I like to have debates and share ideas here, but such hatred and discrimination toward children will not be tolerated. <BR/><BR/>ican:<BR/>Done! Your welcome, I'm glad to see so many, from all over the world, getting involved in this.<BR/><BR/>eric:<BR/>I'll be blogging on your comment, and similar messages I've seen from others, because the reply will be lengthy.<BR/><BR/>josef:<BR/>I have had to delete your comment, because I do not want to sidetrack this blog by bringing in politics, except for if/when politicians bring up autism. I appreciate your understanding.<BR/><BR/>I will be adding a new disclaimer regarding the comments to this blog on the main page shortly. Thanks again everyone!S.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07862458535714883672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-34108862088862367872008-05-28T15:25:00.000-07:002008-05-28T15:25:00.000-07:00This child needs special attention for his disability- he should not be in a class room with children of a normal performing level. After reviewing the interview from "The Early Show" http://www.breitbart.tv/html/103693.html<BR/> the child looks extremely disruptive and probably is a distraction in class. Placing those with disruptive disabilities in normal classrooms detracts from everyone else's education and occupies too much of the teachers time. The classroom is better off without him.Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16676445658593813059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-57905036160385491912008-05-28T14:39:00.000-07:002008-05-28T14:39:00.000-07:00Would you please get rid of the last appalling comment? It's not opinion, it's a lame attempt at baiting. <BR/><BR/>That being said...<BR/><BR/>Thank you for including links to the school district, etc. Our family has friends in the area who are actively filing complaints. This teacher should not be allowed to teach her brand of intolerance and hate anywhere.iCanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561081042905042671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-43856758412890288242008-05-27T22:38:00.000-07:002008-05-27T22:38:00.000-07:00I am horrified and appalled.<BR/><BR/>I wouldn't let that teacher near my dog, never mind another child.<BR/><BR/>This is a five year old boy who is on his way to an official diagnosis along the broad autistic spectrum.<BR/><BR/>Surely the adult in the situation had other options.<BR/><BR/>spike q. furioussapphoqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568663706406638643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-91214133502870186552008-05-26T20:26:00.000-07:002008-05-26T20:26:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing this. This is so sad and makes me quite angry. And yet seeing everything M went through in school it does not surprise me too much. There are some great teachers out there but there are also many that just don't get it.Marlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03190244970587239644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-78561095912367997692008-05-26T11:51:00.000-07:002008-05-26T11:51:00.000-07:00Just adding my support to the Barton family. As a mother of a beautiful 4 year old with autism, I am outraged by Ms. Portillo's treatment of Alex. When every small step forward in communicating, relating to others, self-control, etc. is such a celebrated victory, the damage done by this educator is unforgivable. HUGS to Alex, Melissa and their family. Tell Alex for me that his teacher is the disgusting one and that SHE needs to be sent to the principal's office!!Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02574770175631553955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-822009912082085082008-05-26T09:35:00.000-07:002008-05-26T09:35:00.000-07:00Great post... I hope St. Lucie is used as an example to others out there.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300138525442271956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-57464251699424308482008-05-25T13:11:00.000-07:002008-05-25T13:11:00.000-07:00Christschool has done a masterful job of compiling draft letters of complaint to the authorities and the media over at <A HREF="http://autisticnation.typepad.com/thinking_in_metaphors/2008/05/wendy-portillos.html" REL="nofollow"> Thinking in Metaphors.</A> Anyone who wants to use them please let Christschool know and also forward copies to <A HREF="http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=28" REL="nofollow">ASAN</A> who are trying to coordinate responses.mike stantonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13718362491689089037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-16091352920291019132008-05-25T10:59:00.000-07:002008-05-25T10:59:00.000-07:00I had already posted this on my blog yesterday but your contact info was better than mine. I updated my post with it, so thank you.beingammeyhttp://beingammey.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33596809.post-16672885695592899562008-05-25T03:59:00.000-07:002008-05-25T03:59:00.000-07:00As a kindergarten teacher, a teaching veteran of 30 years, and someone who is in the process of getting certified in RDI, as well as researching a variety of protocols for support of families - I am thoroughly appalled at this story. I am not certain how this could have possibly happened without school board or state intervention. Where is the Special education team in all of this? There are inclusion laws and rights to be tapped into. Is kindergarten schooling mandatory in the state? Is the school district willing to provide out of district placement for this child who has the right to a free and equitable education? It would be interesting to see if this blog approach works to activate change in this situation. mhAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com