Gentle readers, we have always known music reaches across borders of cultures and languages. There is a wonderful music program which started in Venezuela and has received worldwide acclaim. It is called El Sistema. The Great Gustavo Dudamel,who was born into poverty and hired, at 26, to lead the Los Angeles Orchestra, is a product of that program. He is determined to spread that love of music to children in the U.S.
While I admire the profound impact of music in these children's lives, it is the music for the deaf and impaired children which rivetted my attention.
My own deaf daughter (she has a cochlear implant)loves music, is in her third year singing in the school choir and writes her own songs. I remember seeing all the deaf children at her former schol in St. Louis (St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf) with ear buds, plugged in like other kids.
Enjoy this and share the music!!!
See the Video Bar on the left!
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Yet, She Sings
But, and this is a BIG but, my deaf daughter loves to sing! The incoming eighth grader has sung the last two years in her school choir. Bless her heart, she can't carry a tune, but she is determined and sincere, and so proud she is singing with everybody else.
She is into writing songs now. In fact, it's become a sort of journaling for her. She has written half a dozen songs, mostly about missing a friend or looking for a friend... this is so wonderfully therpautic for her. She's playing with language, she's expressing herself, and the good thing is, she is overcoming her inhibitions about performing alone and begs her grandmother or her dad or me to listen to her. It's so inspiring!
May you be inspired today!
She is into writing songs now. In fact, it's become a sort of journaling for her. She has written half a dozen songs, mostly about missing a friend or looking for a friend... this is so wonderfully therpautic for her. She's playing with language, she's expressing herself, and the good thing is, she is overcoming her inhibitions about performing alone and begs her grandmother or her dad or me to listen to her. It's so inspiring!
May you be inspired today!
Friday, August 1, 2008
More on Teachers
Sometimes the biggest bullies at school are the teachers, and that's a sad fact. Out of seven teachers last year, my son had three awesome teachers and the rest? Well, they were overwhelmed.
His only modification in his 504 is that he is allowed extra time to complete assignments and tests because when he is in the middle of having tics he can't hear directions or attend to a task.
When teachers are aware of the situation and pretty much force him to beg for that time, that's bullying. My son was calling me from school, in tears, wanting me to come and pick him up. That's pretty heart-wrenching for any mom. He was 13 years old at the time, so I think that made it more unusual.
Just a word to you moms of special needs kids out there: Trust your gut and stand by your children. School is a struggle every day for our children, even if they are bright. Consider home schooling - just another option.
Tip: When you are new to this, and you are faced with attending IEP meetings, invite friends and family who know and love your child. They can provide valuable insight at a time when your nerves are shot and table talk turns to unfamiliar territory.
His only modification in his 504 is that he is allowed extra time to complete assignments and tests because when he is in the middle of having tics he can't hear directions or attend to a task.
When teachers are aware of the situation and pretty much force him to beg for that time, that's bullying. My son was calling me from school, in tears, wanting me to come and pick him up. That's pretty heart-wrenching for any mom. He was 13 years old at the time, so I think that made it more unusual.
Just a word to you moms of special needs kids out there: Trust your gut and stand by your children. School is a struggle every day for our children, even if they are bright. Consider home schooling - just another option.
Tip: When you are new to this, and you are faced with attending IEP meetings, invite friends and family who know and love your child. They can provide valuable insight at a time when your nerves are shot and table talk turns to unfamiliar territory.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Child With Tourette's
I haven't talked much about my son who has Tourette's. Unlike the movie, Rain Man, his tics do not emanate from the mouth (except he does talk negatively and angrily to himself such as I suck, I'm a loser, I hate my life). Depression is a real factor.
Rather, his tics involve his body. I told you that, as a baby, he was a head banger in the crib. As a toddler, he banged his head against the seat of the car or against the wall if he was sitting on the floor. During those early years, his eyes became part of the sequence. They would roll back, in unision. It was very unnerving.
First grade bought about a new addition. The tics would start with the head and eyes but would then include the whole shoulder dipping with the head and started to include the hip. It was pretty scary to watch. His teacher and I were afraid he was going to have a blown out seizure.
It was hard trying to evaluate this without disturbing my son who was already painfully aware of how distracting he was. Combine that with the fact that he is really shy.
He started taking Risperdal and has been taking it for over six years. This past year (7th grade), we had to increase the dosage for the umpteenth time to help assuage the tics which were aggravated by he teasing he received in the school setting. He was called "Tic Boy" and other unsavory terms and asked constantly what was wrong with him.
Gentle reader, the worst part of the ill behavior wasn't the reaction of his fellow students but the reaction of some of his overworked and overwhelmed teachers.
More on that in tomorrow's blog. Take care of yourself out there - it's a wild world.
Rather, his tics involve his body. I told you that, as a baby, he was a head banger in the crib. As a toddler, he banged his head against the seat of the car or against the wall if he was sitting on the floor. During those early years, his eyes became part of the sequence. They would roll back, in unision. It was very unnerving.
First grade bought about a new addition. The tics would start with the head and eyes but would then include the whole shoulder dipping with the head and started to include the hip. It was pretty scary to watch. His teacher and I were afraid he was going to have a blown out seizure.
It was hard trying to evaluate this without disturbing my son who was already painfully aware of how distracting he was. Combine that with the fact that he is really shy.
He started taking Risperdal and has been taking it for over six years. This past year (7th grade), we had to increase the dosage for the umpteenth time to help assuage the tics which were aggravated by he teasing he received in the school setting. He was called "Tic Boy" and other unsavory terms and asked constantly what was wrong with him.
Gentle reader, the worst part of the ill behavior wasn't the reaction of his fellow students but the reaction of some of his overworked and overwhelmed teachers.
More on that in tomorrow's blog. Take care of yourself out there - it's a wild world.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Summer Great Time to Capture Kids and Arkansas
Here are the Huck Finn wannabees and the raft they created during Adventure Camp at our local state park.
It is good to encourage the kiddos to "get unplugged" and enjoy the outdoors. See my blog post dated July 18th.
The Last Child in the Woods written by Richard Louv is some good summer reading for those of you dealing with children who have sensory issues, attention deficits or are just plain too involved with electronic games and computers.
http://www.capturearkansas.com/search/photos/jeannie+stone
Our state newspaper is hosting an online photography contest inviting everyone to submit their best photographs depicting life in Arkansas. Anyone can sign up to submit photos or to cast votes. The top runners in each of the designated "chapters" will be featured in a coffetable book, and at least one photo from each participating photographer will be included in a DVD. So, even if you haven't any ties to Arkansas, go and view what we are all about. But, be prepared! You will see a double decker outhouse, plenty of tractors, and lots of shots of our beautiful woods, lakes, deltas and mountains.
May your day be filled with the wonders of nature and beauty wherever you are!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Feeling Stupid
During an afternoon bike ride with a neighbor and her daughter, my 13 1/2 year old daughter was moritified by the mother who screamed at her. My daughter had not heard a car approaching.
Several hours later, my daughter delivered a hand written note apologizing for her stupidity, and I heard my daughter crying and saying, "I'm stupid, I'm stupid." over and over.
There are few things that break a mother's heart more completely than listening to a child berate herself.
Take time to hold a hand, smile or encourage a child today. There's room at the table for everyone!
Several hours later, my daughter delivered a hand written note apologizing for her stupidity, and I heard my daughter crying and saying, "I'm stupid, I'm stupid." over and over.
There are few things that break a mother's heart more completely than listening to a child berate herself.
Take time to hold a hand, smile or encourage a child today. There's room at the table for everyone!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Last Child in the Woods
For those of you who don't know, I am the mother of three special needs children. My 16 year old has a form of high functioning autism called Asperger Syndrome. During the early years, it was marked, primarily, by sensory processing issues and a lack of connectiveness with his environment, and, most disturbingly, people. It is that connecting that I'd like to address in today's blog.
In 2005, Richard Louv, a journalist, wrote the national bestseller Last Child in the Woods for which he won the 2008 Audubon Medal. In the book, Louv coined the phrase "nature-deficit disorder" which referred to the worldwide trend that "children are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems." This book has spawned the Children and Nature Movement across the globe. It is based on the simple idea that: "the child in nature is an endangered species, and the health of children and the health of the Earth are inseparable."
The reason I bring this up is simple. Although not directly targeting special needs kids, this article expounds on the therapeutic virtues of spending time outdoors, and, although my son doesn't clamour to the door at the mention of taking a hike, such diversions have a huge impact on his mental acuity.
My child has a huge talent for playing electronic games, but it drains him, leaves him wild-eyed and agitated, and he simply can't regulate the time he spends holed up in his room. I find that I am trying to keep tabs on him, making sure he doesn't wile away four hours at one sitting!!!
Over the years, I have noticed he is more present, engaging and calm when he has a bit of fresh air in his lungs. Because he is not self-directed in unfamiliar tasks, he is in charge of taking the dog for a walk everyday. That is a concrete objective that still gives in to the "being outdoors" school of thought.
If you live in a place without easy access to parks or hiking trails, take advantage of neighborhood walks. I promise you will see a difference in your child. According to Louv, "No one among us wants to be a member of the last generation to pass on to our children the joy of playing outside in nature."
visit www.childrenandnature.org. or http://richardlouv.com.
Stop and smell the roses!
In 2005, Richard Louv, a journalist, wrote the national bestseller Last Child in the Woods for which he won the 2008 Audubon Medal. In the book, Louv coined the phrase "nature-deficit disorder" which referred to the worldwide trend that "children are spending less time outdoors, resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems." This book has spawned the Children and Nature Movement across the globe. It is based on the simple idea that: "the child in nature is an endangered species, and the health of children and the health of the Earth are inseparable."
The reason I bring this up is simple. Although not directly targeting special needs kids, this article expounds on the therapeutic virtues of spending time outdoors, and, although my son doesn't clamour to the door at the mention of taking a hike, such diversions have a huge impact on his mental acuity.
My child has a huge talent for playing electronic games, but it drains him, leaves him wild-eyed and agitated, and he simply can't regulate the time he spends holed up in his room. I find that I am trying to keep tabs on him, making sure he doesn't wile away four hours at one sitting!!!
Over the years, I have noticed he is more present, engaging and calm when he has a bit of fresh air in his lungs. Because he is not self-directed in unfamiliar tasks, he is in charge of taking the dog for a walk everyday. That is a concrete objective that still gives in to the "being outdoors" school of thought.
If you live in a place without easy access to parks or hiking trails, take advantage of neighborhood walks. I promise you will see a difference in your child. According to Louv, "No one among us wants to be a member of the last generation to pass on to our children the joy of playing outside in nature."
visit www.childrenandnature.org. or http://richardlouv.com.
Stop and smell the roses!
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