Yesterday, May 22, 2008, I attended the IEP meeting for Calen. It was only to change his status from Development Delay to Autism. The meeting went well. I expressed concern about the summer for Calen. He will not have access to such a structured environment at the daycare. I also know that the preschool uses picture schedules to help Calen transition from one activity to another. The speech therapist, Mrs. Grissom, volunteered to help me create 2 picture schedules for him...one for daycare and one for home. I told her I preferred to use real photos instead of computer generated ones. We decided that I can take photos with my camera phone and e-mail them to her so she can create the pictures to be used. Lisa Highfield, the Coordinator of Special Education Services, also volunteered to come to the daycare and hold a meeting with the entire staff to educate them about autism and the ways they can help make things easier for Calen. I also found out that Mrs. Highfield is a part of the Autism Coalition. I've never heard of them before, but I plan to find out more. I also volunteered my services to Mrs. Highfield....if there's anything I can do to help, she can call on me. I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders...for now.
There are two facilities in Huntsville that offer ABA therapy. The Riley Center and Behavioral Intervention Services. After calling and talking with people from both centers, I decided to go with BIS. Brandy Worthy is the lady I spoke with. She was so helpful and very informative about the many options I have. The one I liked most was that they can contract with my son's school. With this, they will send a therapist out to train his teachers (as many that want to come), para-professionals...everyone that will be helping Calen. And this isn't limited to just my son. ABA therapy is good for many children with various disabilities. I didn't like the Riley Center because upon speaking with Teresa, there were too many red flags. One being the fact that a lot of my questions couldn't be answered. She kept telling me that she needed to discuss my questions with Lisa Highfield. Well, I have a problem with that because I AM THE PARENT. Plus, my instincts were telling me no. I told Mrs. Highfield about my research, and she was interested. She also said she's met Brandy Worthy before. She said she had Brandy's number and couldn't remember what she did with it. I pulled out my cell and gave it to her on the spot. If we can get something going, I told her I wanted to attend the training, I wanted my family (the one's who babysit Calen sometimes) to attend, and I wanted the daycare owner and staff (as many as possible) to attend. Mrs. Highfield agreed. So things are looking up. She said my fighting may cause other parents to stand up and join us! She said I was "paving the way". That feels pretty good to hear, but it feels even better knowing that I am getting closer and closer to getting my son every possible bit of help out there. It amazes me that there are parents of children in my son's class who aren't doing anything. I guess that since there aren't a lot of resources here, they're content with what little they can get....well not me. I have plans for my son. He will grow up and be independent and happy. He will always have autism, but I AM THE ONE who will make the difference as to the quality of his life. Good people like Mrs. Grissom and Mrs. Highfield make the difference. People like my advisor, Mr. Thompson, make the difference. I don't mean to pat myself on the back...GOD ALMIGHTY moves the hearts of man and opens the doors of opportunity for me to be able to "pave the way" for my baby. He gives me the strength.
