Fall 2011
A New Generation is Ready to Lead
Editorial Column from Guest Author Michael Bailey
PEAK Parent Center has, for a generation, empowered families to participate fully in special education advocacy. The lessons of family integration and full inclusion have not been lost on the children who have benefited from the advocacy of those families. A new generation of people with disability pride and high expectations is the result.
“Nothing about us without us” is far more to these young people than just a slogan. It is a mantra and an expectation. This generational shift challenges the past and foretells the future.
Ask A Parent Advisor: Resources for Military Families
Question:
My husband is being stationed in the Colorado Spring area, and we are a military family. Our 7 year-old son has an Individualized Education Plan. Where do I start?
Answer:
Welcome to Colorado Springs! It can be a challenge to figure out where you want to live, and what services are available in a new community, especially when a child has special needs. A good starting place is the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) at your new duty station.
Self Advocate's Corner: Nick Harmon
Nick Harmon is a 19-year-old self-advocate who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who is taking college classes at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). Last year, Abbie Kraemer, a friend and schoolmate of Nick’s, conducted an independent study which entailed Abbie shadowing Nick on campus to learn about what makes him successful. The article below conveys some of the insights that Abbie gained through her experiences with Nick. We hope you enjoy "Just Your Typical College Guy," a snapshot into Nick’s successful first year attending college!
And, be sure to check out our interview with Nick himself, as he shares his humor and even some of his poetry.
Just Your Typical College Guy, By Guest Author Abbie Kraemer
He blends into the crowd as just another typical college guy. Cracking open a Coca Cola, he might look a little bit groggy from staying up too late the night before. He’s sure to be “noticing” his female peers as they pass by.
Working Together to Resolve Disagreements: How Parents of Young Children Can Resolve Conflicts
Note: While parts of this article relate specifically to services for families whose children are ages birth to three years old, the overall strategies suggested relate to all families, no matter the age of their child.
When families with babies or very young children recognize that their child needs assistance or support, they are often thrust into a situation in which they have multiple service providers with whom they must interact. Since team meetings with all the individuals who are involved are often difficult to schedule, sometimes service providers and families aren’t “on the same page,” and differences of opinion and conflicts emerge. When situations like this occur, it’s helpful for families to have strategies as they work to communicate with the professionals on their child’s team to assure their child’s needs are met. The tips below are intended to help families in these kinds of situations.
Trabajar Juntos para Resolver Desacuerdos: Cómo los Padres de Niños Pequeños Pueden Resolver Conflictos
Nota: Mientras partes de este artículo se refieren específicamente a los servicios para las familias cuyos hijos son de cero a tres años de edad, las estrategias sugeridas se refieren a todas las familias, no importar la edad de su hijo.
Cuando las familias con bebés o hijos muy pequeños reconocen que su niño necesita asistencia o apoyo, a veces se les impulsa a una situación en la cual tienen que interactuar con múltiples proveedores de servicios. Puesto que a veces resulta difícil concertar reuniones con todos los involucrados, frecuentemente los proveedores de servicios y las familias “no están en la misma página” y por lo tanto surgen diferencias de opinión y conflictos. Cuando ocurren situaciones como éstas, es útil para las familias tener estrategias para comunicarse con los profesionales del equipo del niño y asegurar que se satisfagan sus necesidades. El objetivo de las sugerencias a continuación es ayudar a las familias que se encuentran en este tipo de situaciones.
Addressing Bullying With A Child’s IEP
From Walk A Mile In Their Shoes: Bullying and the Child with Special Needs, www.Abilitypath.org
Although they may be targets, children who are bullied do not have to remain victims. With the appropriate tools and support systems in place, a child can be a part of changing the situation. One critical tool available to parents is the Individualized Education Program or IEP.
A child’s team - parents, educators, therapists and/or psychologists and school officials - should work together to make the IEP reflect the child’s unique needs.
The contents of this e-Newsletter were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H328M110023. However, those contents do notnecessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer, Carmen Sanchez.