greenpepperpressblog

Tag: autism

  • sensory sensitive

    Check out this article written by Caitlin Reiss, daughter of Sam's teacher, our friend Maureen:

    MWsensorysensitive1 

    How cool is that?  To see the article CLICK HERE. For a list of theaters offering sensory-friendly showings, visit THIS courtesy of the Autism Society of America.  Bravo!!

    Just back from Minnesota where I had a terrific visit with family and friends.  I thank you for all the comments about the Book of Love, and a heartfelt thanks to the participants.  I shared it with my parents and they were just as moved as I was to feel the love you have surrounded us with.  xo

  • it rocked

    Mw_sam_party_08c

    Mw_sam_party08d 

    Mw_sam_party08e

    Mw_sam_party08g

    We are totally buzzing from a terrific day spent with friends out on the deck for the annual birthday party.  It ended up being the BEST weather even though they said it would be otherwise.  Not one single drop.  Even the medium gray clouds were gone before the party started.

    Unfortunately I didn’t get everyone in the photo but you get the idea.  Here’s a cool thing:  all the girls are current buddies who come to help out in Room 10.  All the boys are buddie-alumni, coming back to visit from High School. 

    Mw_sam_party08i

    Mw_sam_party08h

    Mw_sam_party08j

    Mw_sam_party08f

    (Of course, one more pose with the you-know-what hands)

    This morning….found this….the first for the season….

    Mwsam_party_08luckyday_2

    Thanks for all your good wishes and positive vibes.  *grins*

  • it rocked

    Mw_sam_party_08c

    Mw_sam_party08d 

    Mw_sam_party08e

    Mw_sam_party08g

    We are totally buzzing from a terrific day spent with friends out on the deck for the annual birthday party.  It ended up being the BEST weather even though they said it would be otherwise.  Not one single drop.  Even the medium gray clouds were gone before the party started.

    Unfortunately I didn’t get everyone in the photo but you get the idea.  Here’s a cool thing:  all the girls are current buddies who come to help out in Room 10.  All the boys are buddie-alumni, coming back to visit from High School. 

    Mw_sam_party08i

    Mw_sam_party08h

    Mw_sam_party08j

    Mw_sam_party08f

    (Of course, one more pose with the you-know-what hands)

    This morning….found this….the first for the season….

    Mwsam_party_08luckyday_2

    Thanks for all your good wishes and positive vibes.  *grins*

  • tomorrow…

    Mw_no_rain

    Tuesday was Sam’s 16th birthday.  Tomorrow we will have the annual party for classmates, teachers, and buddies.  LAST YEAR we were blessed with a glorious day.  The forecast is for rain, but it looks better than they predicted earlier this week (thunder storms, ack!)  It would be great if we could enjoy an afternoon on the deck, so put your positive vibes out will ya?

    Mw_sam_party_08a 

    Special party guest:  Miley Cyrus (under glass).  It’s so cool that Sam’s birthday falls in the month we honor Autism Awareness.  We can take the opportunity to show our apppreciation to all those who touch Sam’s life and make his school experience one that he looks forward to every morning with bright eyes and an eagerness to be there, part of a school that embraces his diversity.  This year the take home goodie is a mini-car magnet…..should work on locker doors too don’t you think?

    Mw_sam_party_08b 

    Also tomorrow:  my father-in-laws birthday, Happy Birthday Phil!  My sister and her husband celebrate twelve years of marriage, Happy Anniversary Shannon and Andy!  And of course one more birthday…don’t have time to make him a special message so I’ll share the one from last year HERE.

    *waves and runs off to continue cleaning*

  • tomorrow…

    Mw_no_rain

    Tuesday was Sam’s 16th birthday.  Tomorrow we will have the annual party for classmates, teachers, and buddies.  LAST YEAR we were blessed with a glorious day.  The forecast is for rain, but it looks better than they predicted earlier this week (thunder storms, ack!)  It would be great if we could enjoy an afternoon on the deck, so put your positive vibes out will ya?

    Mw_sam_party_08a 

    Special party guest:  Miley Cyrus (under glass).  It’s so cool that Sam’s birthday falls in the month we honor Autism Awareness.  We can take the opportunity to show our apppreciation to all those who touch Sam’s life and make his school experience one that he looks forward to every morning with bright eyes and an eagerness to be there, part of a school that embraces his diversity.  This year the take home goodie is a mini-car magnet…..should work on locker doors too don’t you think?

    Mw_sam_party_08b 

    Also tomorrow:  my father-in-laws birthday, Happy Birthday Phil!  My sister and her husband celebrate twelve years of marriage, Happy Anniversary Shannon and Andy!  And of course one more birthday…don’t have time to make him a special message so I’ll share the one from last year HERE.

    *waves and runs off to continue cleaning*

  • blank page

    Mwstart08

    I am often asked where I turn for inspiration, or how I learned to do what I do.  I think the most important thing for any person wanting to create is to just get started.  You can read all the books and magazines on a subject and it won’t mean anything until you start experimenting on your own.  Pick up the brush, or the pencil, or the whatever, and begin.  Having the impulse to create is a gift.  The way in which you do it will work itself out once you get started.

    Sethchwast

    I saw this young man on the Today show.  I am still thinking about him.  We know art is a channel that lets us express something within ourselves.  His story proves that.  See a video clip HERE.  And visit Seth Chwast at his site HERE.  Thanks Seth, for reminding me how powerful creativity is.

    Related news:  This weekend I saw the new Public Service Announcement by VH1’s Rock Autism.  I was really moved to see Gene Simmons, Tommy Lee, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler and other rockers supporting Autism.  See HERE, click on 2).  Then I found their True Life series following three young men with diverse manifestations of Autism.  It’s compelling and enlightening….and takes about an hour to get through the whole series.  See HERE. 

    Mwjan208

    It’s a new year, a blank page.  Put something on it TODAY.

    Gppblurb_2 Congratulations to Monica Magness for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 15.   I’ll be posting the next Crusade later today.  Need a jumpstart for creativity?  Come play with us on the Street Team!

  • blank page

    Mwstart08

    I am often asked where I turn for inspiration, or how I learned to do what I do.  I think the most important thing for any person wanting to create is to just get started.  You can read all the books and magazines on a subject and it won’t mean anything until you start experimenting on your own.  Pick up the brush, or the pencil, or the whatever, and begin.  Having the impulse to create is a gift.  The way in which you do it will work itself out once you get started.

    Sethchwast

    I saw this young man on the Today show.  I am still thinking about him.  We know art is a channel that lets us express something within ourselves.  His story proves that.  See a video clip HERE.  And visit Seth Chwast at his site HERE.  Thanks Seth, for reminding me how powerful creativity is.

    Related news:  This weekend I saw the new Public Service Announcement by VH1’s Rock Autism.  I was really moved to see Gene Simmons, Tommy Lee, Robert Plant, Steven Tyler and other rockers supporting Autism.  See HERE, click on 2).  Then I found their True Life series following three young men with diverse manifestations of Autism.  It’s compelling and enlightening….and takes about an hour to get through the whole series.  See HERE. 

    Mwjan208

    It’s a new year, a blank page.  Put something on it TODAY.

    Gppblurb_2 Congratulations to Monica Magness for being the Top Hat Pick for Crusade No. 15.   I’ll be posting the next Crusade later today.  Need a jumpstart for creativity?  Come play with us on the Street Team!

  • Overtime

    Working overtime is something I KNOW my teachers do.  They put in more than what’s required to make Sam’s classroom time productive and constructive and appropriate.  Years ago the boys in Room 10 started painting and packaging blank card sets.  Mrs. Reiss’s husband even made them table top easels to make is easier.  HCIT?  The cards are sold at school events to make money for various things like flowers to plant in front of the school each Spring.

    Mw_samsellscards1

    Here is Sam with Miss Julie and Mrs. Reiss on SATURDAY (can you say overtime?) at our local church xmas craft sale, selling the Room 10 cards.  It’s been an annual event for us, and is a terrific ‘real world’ experience.  Life Skills.  Should be something we all have to learn while in school, don’t you think?

    Mw_samsellscards2

    Mw_samsellscards3

    Mrs. Reiss was even there on crutches!  Thanks Maureen and Julie for your OVERTIME.  And thanks to Mr. Dave and Miss Brenda too – and all the teachers who go the extra mile for our boys.  Self-contained classroom is hardly the fitting label for OUR class. 

  • Overtime

    Working overtime is something I KNOW my teachers do.  They put in more than what’s required to make Sam’s classroom time productive and constructive and appropriate.  Years ago the boys in Room 10 started painting and packaging blank card sets.  Mrs. Reiss’s husband even made them table top easels to make is easier.  HCIT?  The cards are sold at school events to make money for various things like flowers to plant in front of the school each Spring.

    Mw_samsellscards1

    Here is Sam with Miss Julie and Mrs. Reiss on SATURDAY (can you say overtime?) at our local church xmas craft sale, selling the Room 10 cards.  It’s been an annual event for us, and is a terrific ‘real world’ experience.  Life Skills.  Should be something we all have to learn while in school, don’t you think?

    Mw_samsellscards2

    Mw_samsellscards3

    Mrs. Reiss was even there on crutches!  Thanks Maureen and Julie for your OVERTIME.  And thanks to Mr. Dave and Miss Brenda too – and all the teachers who go the extra mile for our boys.  Self-contained classroom is hardly the fitting label for OUR class. 

  • B.E.L.I.E.V.E

    This story just came in from the Autism Today newsletter.  Enlightening for parents of all children, teachers too.  I love the message to BELIEVE in your child, whether they have a diagnosis or not.

    Mwatbelieve

    Jene Aviram develops communication tools for families @ Natural Learning Concepts.

    YOUR CHILD IS FASCINATING.  MY CHILD IS FASCINATING.  ALL MY CHILDREN ARE FASCINATING. 

    ENCOURAGE….TEACH….INSPIRE….SUPPORT….WITNESS….DELIGHT….BELIEVE!