Girl Scouts Reject Girl With Autism
Special-Needs Troop Claims 8-Year-Old Was a 'Danger' to Others
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES
For two years, Magi Klages, despite having autism, thrived in the Girl Scouts -- an organization that pledges to "help people at all times" and to be "honest and fair, considerate and caring."
But when Magi's Brownie troop grew too large and her parents moved her to a smaller one for children with special needs, they never imagined their 8-year-old would be kicked out.
Michele and Kevin Klages of Oconomowoc, Wis., were told their daughter was a "danger" to the new group's four other children who are all physically disabled.
"We don't get it," said Michele Klages, who always accompanies Magi to Brownie meetings. "She's 30 pounds and we were there. We were told she was scaring the other girls."
When the troop sat down for a mat-weaving project, Magi threw a fit, Michele Klages said, biting herself and running out of the circle.
Having an 'Autistic Moment'
"She was having moments as most autistic children do," the 42-year-old mother told ABCNews.com. "We pulled her out of the circle and let her have her moment. At one point she got up and ran away and her father got her."
Michele Klages said they felt the Nov. 13 meeting had gone "fairly well" for an autistic child thrust into a new situation. But four days later she got the call that Magi would not be welcome in the new troop.
"To feel like someone doesn't want your child around, it rips your heart out," said Michele Klages, who is also raising a 10-year-old son and holds a part-time office job. "I never expected my child to be discriminated against. Never in a million years."
She said they had been up-front with the group leader about Magi, who is mostly nonverbal and relies on sign language to communicate. They were especially upset to learn the leader has a child with special needs.
"It's terrible," said Michelle Tompkins, a spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, who said she had received a "courtesy call" from the local council about the incident. "We are very inclusive and have a national policy against all forms of discrimination."
Anita Rodrigues, spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast, did not return several phone calls from ABCNews.com. But Michele Klages says the council contacted her about the possibility of finding another troop for Magi to join.
Even the Autism Society of America admits that the Girl Scouts do "wonderful work" with children with disabilities and has often contributed volunteers to help children with this neurological disorder.
It says that children with autism are rarely dangerous to others and that the incident illustrates the need for more support and training in organizations like the Girl Scouts.
"These children are so misunderstood," said Michele Klages. "We need to educate ourselves that these kids can be loving and fun. They should be given a chance like any other child."
[FULL STORY at ABCNews.com]
Friday, November 28, 2008
Spotlight on Autism Parents - Maintaining Balance in Your Other Relationships
Autism parents don't have it easy. You are faced with many more challenges than parents of children without autism do. However, in all of the efforts you are making to take good care of your child, it's easy to forget that you need to maintain a healthy balance within your other relationships and cope with your own situation and emotions.
Remember: the healthier you are emotionally and the better the condition of your social life, the more capable you will be to make the right decisions for your child and care for them to the best of your abilities.
Other relationships in your life are your support system and a vital part of how you meet your own personal needs. Never underestimate the value of connecting with people you care about. While it's important to have time to yourself to process emotions, you shouldn't overlook the need to get out and do fun things with your friends and family members.
The constant emotional roller coaster ride that only autism parents experience will become too much, if you aren't at your healthiest emotional point.
To be emotionally healthy, you need to take care of yourself and that includes nourishing important relationships. This doesn't mean making big statements; it can be something simple like watching the occasional movie with some friends - even if this means renting a movie and having your friends over to watch it once the kids have gone to bed. It could also be going out to a restaurant or heading to a family member or friend's place for a meal.
Never overlook the importance of a phone call to a sympathetic ear where you have the opportunity to vent your frustrations and hear about the lives of other people, too.
Getting to know your neighbors can be a valuable social experience. This allows you to meet in the driveway or talk on the front porch when you cross paths. It can help you remain feeling connected with the world.
Remember that though you are a parent with an autistic child, your child is not the only important relationship in your life - even though it may be the most challenging, rewarding and time consuming.
Having friends and family who are emotionally close give you people with whom you can truly share your feelings. This can be a tremendous relief in itself. They are also usually the people with whom you spent your time before you had children. Try doing some of the activities you enjoyed before you became a parent and you'll have "mini vacations" to look forward to and to enjoy on occasion.
This is not to say that you don't enjoy the time you spend with your children. Nor is it suggesting that you should try to mimic the life that you had before becoming a parent. You should however, recognize that just because you have a child with autism, you needn't give up everything you enjoy and all of the relationships that had been important in your life before becoming a parent.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/spotlight-on-autism-parents-maintaining-balance-in-your-other-relationships-658541.html
About the Author:
Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your partner deal with the strain of being autism parents and keep your relationship intact.
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Ask "Suze Orman" a Question!!
Ask "Suze Orman" a Question!!
AUTISM ONE RADIO SPECIAL at www.autismone.org/radio
Dear Friends,
We will be having the Internationally Acclaimed Personal Finance Expert "Suze Orman" as a guest on our Radio Show "The Candy Store" on "Autism One Radio" in early 2009. If any parent who has a child with autism would like to ask "Suze Orman" a question about their finances please e-mail Robert & Sandy Waters Host's of "The Candy Store" on "Autism One Radio" at rwaters@autismone.org We need your questions no later than the end of December 2008. Depending on the amount of questions we receive, we will try to ask most of them on air with your name and state where you live. Or, Suze might even e-mail the answers back if we can not get to the question on the air. The links to our Radio Show are below. Thank You!!
Faith, Love & Hope,
Robert & Sandy Waters
Host's of "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio
rwaters@autismone.org
http://www.autismone.org/
http://www.autismone.org/
http://www.autismone.org/
Attorney Kevin Conway on "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio
Attorney Kevin Conway on "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio
AUTISM ONE RADIO SPECIAL at www.autismone.org/radio
Dear Friends,
We will be having Attorney Kevin Conway as a guest on our Radio Show "The Candy Store" on "Autism One Radio" on November, 24th 2008 @ 10 a.m. EST. Kevin Conway, a Boston-based lawyer who represents more than 1,200 families with autism vaccine injury claims. 4,800 families of autistic children are plaintiffs claiming that their child's autism was caused by a vaccine in the United States. Kevin explains this sometimes confusing topic for all to understand. Also, Mr. Conway was in David Kirby's book "Evidence of Harm" and featured in People Magazine. Do not miss this fascinating show. And if you do, it will go in the archives so anyone can listen at anytime. The links to our Radio Show are below. Thank You!!
Faith, Love & Hope,
Robert & Sandy Waters
Host's of "The Candy Store" on Autism One Radio
rwaters@autismone.org
http://www.autismone.org/
http://www.autismone.org/
http://www.autismone.org/
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Jayne Lytel and Dr. Fred R. Volkmar Q&A on Autism
Raising an Autistic Child
Great Q&A with Jayne Lytel and Dr. Fred R. Volkmar Author; Director of the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine
Related:
Great Q&A with Jayne Lytel and Dr. Fred R. Volkmar Author; Director of the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine
Related:
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Autistic Children and the Strain on Marriage
Autistic Children and the Strain on Marriage
Unfortunately, in modern times, many marriages end in divorce or separation. This statistic rises even higher when you mix in an autistic child. No matter how loving and understanding you both may be towards your child, the truth is that autism is a very difficult matter, and strain on the marriage is not uncommon. By trying to stay positive about your situation, and by working to keep your marriage healthy, you and your spouse can avoid marital problems and hopefully survive the trying times of raising an autistic child.
... more
Unfortunately, in modern times, many marriages end in divorce or separation. This statistic rises even higher when you mix in an autistic child. No matter how loving and understanding you both may be towards your child, the truth is that autism is a very difficult matter, and strain on the marriage is not uncommon. By trying to stay positive about your situation, and by working to keep your marriage healthy, you and your spouse can avoid marital problems and hopefully survive the trying times of raising an autistic child.
... more
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Extreme Makeover: Autism Edition
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Transforms the Home of a Family ...
QUINCY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Nov 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and Dan Ryan Builders announced this morning that the show will be traveling to Quincy Township, Pennsylvania to assist the Drumm family, who has helped transform the lives of disabled children through the Challenger Little League Program. Their home, which has formerly been used as a site to dump of trash and waste, will be rebuilt in only seven days.
After the birth of their second child with autism, Matthew and Blasia dedicated their lives to children with disabilities. They help manage special needs Little League and during the school year, Blasia works as a teacher's aide at the Franklin Learning Center for Handicapped Children. Their little league program has been a source of weekly gatherings for the communities' special needs and the Drumm family helps operate the concession stand and coordinate travel for the league to other tri-state games and tournaments. Matthew and Blasia have been of assistance to other blossoming leagues that have developed in other areas and were awarded the Penn Marr Challenger League, Division Family Service Award in 2006.
[FULL]
QUINCY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Nov 07, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and Dan Ryan Builders announced this morning that the show will be traveling to Quincy Township, Pennsylvania to assist the Drumm family, who has helped transform the lives of disabled children through the Challenger Little League Program. Their home, which has formerly been used as a site to dump of trash and waste, will be rebuilt in only seven days.
After the birth of their second child with autism, Matthew and Blasia dedicated their lives to children with disabilities. They help manage special needs Little League and during the school year, Blasia works as a teacher's aide at the Franklin Learning Center for Handicapped Children. Their little league program has been a source of weekly gatherings for the communities' special needs and the Drumm family helps operate the concession stand and coordinate travel for the league to other tri-state games and tournaments. Matthew and Blasia have been of assistance to other blossoming leagues that have developed in other areas and were awarded the Penn Marr Challenger League, Division Family Service Award in 2006.
[FULL]
Parents of Autism Harbor Hope, Fear (ABCNews on Susan Senator Family)
Parents of Autism Harbor Hope, Fear
Autism in America: Prospects Hazy for Future Diagnosis, Treatment
By LARA SALAHI
ABC News Medical Unit
Nov. 7, 2008
Autism in America: Prospects Hazy for Future Diagnosis, Treatment
By LARA SALAHI
ABC News Medical Unit
Nov. 7, 2008
In some ways, Susan Senator of Brookline, Mass., was no different than any other parent who was worried about her 18-year-old child leaving the nest.
Nat Batchelder and his mother Susan Senator view a family photo album. Senator says she spends a great deal of time worrying abuot her son's future.
(Handout)But in fact her situation was vastly different. She spent many nights awake wondering if sending her autistic son to a specialized residential school program was the best option.
Senator said she was so afraid that she could not tell her son, Nat Batchelder, who was 18 at the time, that he would be moving out of his family's home.
"If we tell him too soon, he'll just get anxious," she said. "But the time is passing, and Nat is getting older, and we want to see him succeed."
Senator said she became sick to her stomach wondering whether her son would be able to adapt to change in his everyday routine -- a difficult task for many individuals on the autism spectrum.
Fortunately, it appears that Batchelder, now 19, has adjusted to his new schedule at the residential program. But for Senator, the worrying continues; she now fears what her son's life will be like in three years, when he ages out of a specialized school system.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Raymond and Terry Show
The Raymond and Terry show is breaking boundaries for those with a disability.
YARRA Valley FM has a new star.
Raymond Bergin is the newest voice on community radio for the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia and Murrindindi shires on Thursday afternoons.
His show, “The Raymond and Terry Show”, is different to any other show in the area.
“No other show deals with issues of disability like we do,” the other half of the team, Terry Morton said. “We discuss issues, and highlight its existence in our service area.”
Terry is not only Ray’s sidekick on the show; he is also his support worker.
Ray has autism.
READ MORE ...
YARRA Valley FM has a new star.
Raymond Bergin is the newest voice on community radio for the Yarra Ranges, Cardinia and Murrindindi shires on Thursday afternoons.
His show, “The Raymond and Terry Show”, is different to any other show in the area.
“No other show deals with issues of disability like we do,” the other half of the team, Terry Morton said. “We discuss issues, and highlight its existence in our service area.”
Terry is not only Ray’s sidekick on the show; he is also his support worker.
Ray has autism.
READ MORE ...
80% Divorce Rate for Autism Parents? Source?
Does anyone have any clue where the 80% divorce rate for parents of kids with autism comes from? I have searched in vain for anything resembling a source.
80% Divorce Rate
80% Divorce Rate
Monday, November 3, 2008
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