I am happy to say that more and more I hear people talking about America’s imports from China and the problem it caused for our economy.  My daughter is mortified every time she shops with me – as I look at all the tags and can’t buy 9/10 of the items we pick up…. because they are made in China.  It seems that people are actually starting to understand that purchasing our imports puts people in the US out of work.   The present situation with China has been in the works since the 1980’s.

The present epidemic of the growing population of children with developmental delays is being handled in a similar manner as our trading practices with China.

We are ignoring the long term effect….  pushing it into the corner and ignoring it.

Importers of product are mostly importing for the cheap price….. stuff can be made in China for a small percentage of what it would cost to make in the US.  So – lets make more money ……

Developmentally delayed children – same treatment.  Insurance companies and schools can’t possibly pay for the treatments needed …..  it would lower their income or prevent them from balancing the budget. 

Problem is that some day we are going to have to pay for all of this.  Cutting corners results in an inferior product….  Look at Toyota right now. 

The problems we have now with the epidemic of developmental delays are being pushed into the corner – and eventually they will come back to haunt us…..  They always do….

Everyone needs to wake up – we are just creating our next recession for 2030’s…. we are just setting ourselves up for bankrupting America….  not to mention ruining lives!

Debt to China:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt

Cost of raising an autistic child – per CBS broadcast:  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/06/21/eveningnews/main5101691.shtml

it is that time of the year when all of our special education teachers are sent to meeting after meeting…

Well, here in NY, if the teacher is in meetings, then she isn’t teaching…..   and if the school doesn’t hire a substitute teacher, then they are breaking the law!

So, document when the teacher isn’t there…..  hold on to this information and use it when necessary, like when they are trying to decide on services for your child and are arguing with you….

Appropriate education - Where??????

I invite you to chime in here and tell me what you think about private “chartered” schools -

Why are they good, why are they  bad?    And what exactly is soooooo great about inclusions when every year you have a huge fight and the bottom line is….  there is not enough help in these classrooms and it is only going to get worse.  The economy is pushing everyone out of their homes, a possible spending freeze on education from fed…..  and in NY state – we are just about bankrupt?

So – where is the hope for inclusion – and why not go private “chartered”?

please send in your comments..

Bus to BAND?

                                                     Or READING Comprehension     

I simply cannot resist this…..

After long conversations, argueing with school personnel over an “appropriate” education for my son, requests for detail on how our school has spent the federal funds received, and on and on…….  the Questions continue unanswered and the abuse just continues. 

 And of course, I am expected to sit back and say nothing?  Right!

Well, I just can’t contain myself anymore.  Just this year I had to

• have several meetings with school personnel to agree on Appropriate teaching programs for my son
•  point out test results to school personnel indicating my son is at a 1% reading comprehension level for his grade
•  provide information to them on reading programs that would be appropriate (and the data to support)
•  provide information on “appropriate and effective” social skills programming…..  (and the scientific data to show them that the present program was useless and ineffective)
• And this was ONLY THIS YEAR!
• There were countless meetings, letters, etc…. for the last 7 years

My requests are always denied on the first request…..  ALWAYS!   then we go thru the game and I bring in the data and show them the test results and interpret the law verbally…. then I maybe get what my son needs.  Maybe!   I have had to bring in lawyers before – just to write a letter – because my letters when signed don’t have the initials following my name that are necessary to get the answer “yes”.

But….. WE have the Money to pay for BUSSING to EARLY BAND PRACTICE!

YES – we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave….   the land is only free if you are educated enough to defend your rights or pay for a good lawyer…..   home of the brave – yes the few that stand up for what is morally right! 

So – send your thoughts – would you sit back and take this?

and REMEMBER – FOIL – Freedom of information Law – it comes in quite handy when you want to find out what your school district is paying for or how much they are paying, etc….  I encourage you to use it!  (notice the most frequently bolded word above) hmmmm…..

So – BUSSING for BAND ….. or ….. READING INSTRUCTION?