Skyler is an academically gifted autistic five-year-old. He can read and write and his math knowledge is much better than average for his age.

His teachers are unhappy with his behavior.



On moving Skyler to the autistic class


Skyler already knows how to act autistic, we want to change these behaviors not increase them.

Skyler is a mimic – that is part of how he learns.
Think about that.
Put our little mimic with normal children and he begins to act in a normal manner.



On his behavior problems


Skyler has odd behaviors and does not always comply with his teachers’ wishes.
Since he learns so readily, we feel he can improve.
We have started behavior counseling and with this help, he can make strides.

Moving him out of his current classes is best for the teachers because they have so many other children to tend.
We agree, controlling and redirecting Skyler often requires one-on-one attention, creating a stressful situation for his already overburdened teachers.



However, we want a plan that is best for Skyler.



Does Wilson County even have the small classes his teachers tell us he needs?

Are there other academically gifted children with problem behaviors? Are there classes for them?

Can Wilson County Schools honestly show us a better fit for Skyler, than the placement he now has?

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On being told at the very last minute that the February 12, 2009 IEP was called off



This was emotionally draining and extremely stressful. We understand things happen that are beyond normal control. We understand that people get sick.
That does not change the exasperation my husband and I felt about this cancellation.
We had arranged for someone else to take Skyler to his allergy shots, his speech therapy and his tae kwon do lessons.
Finding people who are available to do this is difficult!

We received very short notice about the IEP meeting. Our initial invitation showed the meeting was planned for April 12, 2009! (A typo?)


The second notice showed February 12, 2009 and I did not notice the date change. I also did not sign and return either of these because my Case Manager told me to get a facilitator.

The next day, February 10, 2009, I received a third notice!
This time I noticed the date change.
The day was Tuesday and the meeting was on Thursday!


My husband and I made the difficult decision not to tell our case manager or anyone else about this meeting.
We wanted to hear what the teachers had to say and we felt we needed to filter out any other input.


Now, sadly, we face a 12-day wait!


We wish the teachers could meet with us informally and tell us what the problems are.
Or, meet with each other and send us a note about their ideal next step for Skyler – then, with everyone “fully informed”, have an IEP meeting to make necessary changes. Instead, we are left wondering - what do they want?



Ideally, the teachers need more help – someone who could redirect Skyler or even take him from the room when he acts inappropriately.


Everyone knows what we want.
We want Skyler to stay at Wells.
Academically and socially, Wells offers the least restrictive environment for Skyler.



Because of Skyler’s high academic skills, his is an unusual situation that likely requires unusual classroom placement or one-on-one assistance in the classroom.

Invictus Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole AUTISM

Sky is a flight risk in the autistic diagnoses realm. These kids will take off in a heartbeat.


The other day we were leaving Chic-fil-A. I put Sky's coat on and Papa went to get some more drink.


I turned and Sky was gone.


I glanced in the small play area - no Sky.


Panic set in as I looked out the window!


Yes. He was outside!


In the dark.


Alone.


No fear.


No sense of danger about traffic.


I ran out the door and down the sidewalk calling his name.


Begging him to stop.


He never looked back.


He was in his 'deaf zone' - walking ahead, stepping-on-and-off the curb, scaring me to death! As he neared the roadway, I saw headlights coming from the drive-thru.


I ran faster, screaming for him to stop.


Suddenly, Sky saw our van and turned back toward it.


Relief. I knew he would head for the door near his car seat.


I scolded him as I put him in the car.


Wasted words.


There was no one there to hear me.


Autistic children are often lost in the tunnel of their own existence.

The rate of autism increases rapidly. One out of every 150 children is born with autism - most of them boys. These are frightening stats.

How did we know Sky was autistic?
At first we didn't; the symptoms seem to creep up on you. He never smiled. He stared endlessly at mobiles and fans. Fans were his big thing. He never looked anyone in the eyes! At times we thought maybe he was deaf. He seemed to exist in another universe. Remember these symptoms because autism needs early intervention!


Create Your Own!

On the autism spectum, Sky is hyperlexic...he loves letters and numbers. He showed amazing reading skills at two! (He really did not understand what he was reading.)
He is also fascinated with 'signing; and knows many signs.

One day, Sky went to a new speech teacher, Donna. Donna wanted Sky to say ‘yes’ each time he wanted something.
She would hold an item (he’d be reaching for it) and she'd ask, “Do you want this?”

He would only get the item if he said yes. Even though he wanted the item Sky would not reply.

While the teacher had her back turned, Papa helped Sky by signing ‘Yes’.

Later the teacher said the signing was okay, because it helped Sky understand the behavior expected of him.

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The neatest thing happened. We were trying a hide-and-seek type game (with rewards) to encourage Skyler to say, "Here I am!" when he is called. You know, in case he ever gets lost.

Suddenly, he started singing the "where is thumbkin" song. I realized I had only been listening to the tune. But now, I heard new words. Skyler was singing "Where is (he said a name)...where is..."

So we sang, "Where is Skyler" and he sang back, "Here I am!'

He learned these words at school, during attendance check. But, we have a new use for it! When he disappears - we sing "Where is Skyler". It works!

Autism is a complicated puzzle.

I received this helpful and encouraging message on my brickfish profile page.

"...I have an autistic boy. mild aspergers (autistism spectrum). We worked with him non-stop, and address his behavior problems with redirection, stability and medication. He will be 17 years old soon and he was just nominated for the national honor society. It is a lot of work, especially since I have 2 more the same age.
So good Luck, and keep working on it. It does make a difference."

It came from a member named Debbie and gives me great hope for Skyler! I am so very greatful...also I think that note infers her son is a TRIPLET! {smile}

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. These facts from:
Autism Speaks