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string(3962) "<p>Yesterday, my son turned four.</p>
<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
<div class="shr-bookmarks shr-bookmarks-expand shr-bookmarks-center shr-bookmarks-bg-caring">
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<a href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Another+Year+-+http://b2l.me/aqt2z8+&source=shareaholic" rel="nofollow" class="external" title="Tweet This!">Tweet This!</a>
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<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
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string(344) "Yesterday, my son turned four. When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(3986) "<p>Yesterday, my son turned four.</p>
<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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["title"]=>
string(40) "iPad for Autism: Selecting the best apps"
["link"]=>
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["comments"]=>
string(93) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4803/ipad-for-autism-selecting-the-best-apps/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:06 +0000"
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string(6) "LauraS"
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string(14) "BlogautismiPad"
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["description"]=>
string(359) "“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) John Gruber. There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the iPad helps children with autism, for good reason. As Ashley Harrell of SF [...]"
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imgs.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/lshumaker/2010/09/07/ipad.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="185" height="272" /></div>
<div>“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/08/13/ipad-autism" target="_blank">John Gruber</a>.</div>
<p>There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> helps children with autism, for good reason.</p>
<p>As<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/" target="_blank"> Ashley Harrell of SF Weekly,</a> reports, there are other computers designed for children with autism, but a growing number of experts say that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> is better. It’s cheaper, faster, more versatile, more user-friendly, more portable, more engaging, and infinitely cooler for young people.</p>
<p>San Francisco’s own <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Shannon Des Roches Rosa</a> has become a true expert on the subject. She recently won an iPad for her 9 year old son, Leo, who has autism, with a 5 dollar raffle ticket that she bought at a school auction. The iPad, Shannon reports, has benefited Leo in a BIG way.</p>
<p>“But before you go out and buy one,” she warns, “take your child to the Apple Store during a quiet time and let them try it out.”</p>
<p><strong>OK! OK! We tried it! We like it! Which Apps? </strong></p>
<p>“I did a lot of research, and there is a site called <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">MOMS WITH APPS</a> that lists and reviews apps by category. There are many, many apps to choose from, but the great thing about the iPad is that the interface is easy to use–just a tap and a swipe between pages. Leo was able to explore, something he hadn’t really done before, and he just kept going back to his favorites.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Among Leo’s favorites are:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.appstoreapps.com/2009/01/27/first-words/" target="_blank">First Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.touchscreenpreschoolgames.com/games/shape-builder-iphone-toddler-game" target="_blank">Shape Builder</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-handwriting-game/id307025309?mt=8" target="_blank">i Write Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tappytunes/id299495181?mt=8" target="_blank">Tappy Tunes</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.stories2learn.com/story.php" target="_blank">Stories 2 Learn</a></p>
<p>Others can be found <a href="http://momswithapps.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong><a href="http://momswithapps.com/2010/08/04/characteristics-of-great-apps-for-kids-with-autism/" target="_blank">READ SHANNON’s PIECE IN MOM’s WITH APPS</a></strong></p>
<p>Shannon will be writing more about the iPad as a tool for teaching children with autism at <a href="http://www.squidalicious.com/" target="_blank">Squadalicious,</a><a href="http://www.canisitwithyou.org/" target="_blank">Can I Sit With You?</a> as the <a href="http://www.blogher.com/user/119/posts" target="_blank">BlogHer Contributing Editor on parenting children with special needs, </a> and <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html" target="_blank">The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism.</a></p>
<p>Which apps are you using?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">Laura</a></p>
</div>
<div><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">www.laurashumaker.com</a></div>
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string(359) "“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) John Gruber. There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the iPad helps children with autism, for good reason. As Ashley Harrell of SF [...]"
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imgs.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/lshumaker/2010/09/07/ipad.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="185" height="272" /></div>
<div>“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/08/13/ipad-autism" target="_blank">John Gruber</a>.</div>
<p>There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> helps children with autism, for good reason.</p>
<p>As<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/" target="_blank"> Ashley Harrell of SF Weekly,</a> reports, there are other computers designed for children with autism, but a growing number of experts say that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> is better. It’s cheaper, faster, more versatile, more user-friendly, more portable, more engaging, and infinitely cooler for young people.</p>
<p>San Francisco’s own <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Shannon Des Roches Rosa</a> has become a true expert on the subject. She recently won an iPad for her 9 year old son, Leo, who has autism, with a 5 dollar raffle ticket that she bought at a school auction. The iPad, Shannon reports, has benefited Leo in a BIG way.</p>
<p>“But before you go out and buy one,” she warns, “take your child to the Apple Store during a quiet time and let them try it out.”</p>
<p><strong>OK! OK! We tried it! We like it! Which Apps? </strong></p>
<p>“I did a lot of research, and there is a site called <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">MOMS WITH APPS</a> that lists and reviews apps by category. There are many, many apps to choose from, but the great thing about the iPad is that the interface is easy to use–just a tap and a swipe between pages. Leo was able to explore, something he hadn’t really done before, and he just kept going back to his favorites.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Among Leo’s favorites are:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.appstoreapps.com/2009/01/27/first-words/" target="_blank">First Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.touchscreenpreschoolgames.com/games/shape-builder-iphone-toddler-game" target="_blank">Shape Builder</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-handwriting-game/id307025309?mt=8" target="_blank">i Write Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tappytunes/id299495181?mt=8" target="_blank">Tappy Tunes</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.stories2learn.com/story.php" target="_blank">Stories 2 Learn</a></p>
<p>Others can be found <a href="http://momswithapps.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong><a href="http://momswithapps.com/2010/08/04/characteristics-of-great-apps-for-kids-with-autism/" target="_blank">READ SHANNON’s PIECE IN MOM’s WITH APPS</a></strong></p>
<p>Shannon will be writing more about the iPad as a tool for teaching children with autism at <a href="http://www.squidalicious.com/" target="_blank">Squadalicious,</a><a href="http://www.canisitwithyou.org/" target="_blank">Can I Sit With You?</a> as the <a href="http://www.blogher.com/user/119/posts" target="_blank">BlogHer Contributing Editor on parenting children with special needs, </a> and <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html" target="_blank">The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism.</a></p>
<p>Which apps are you using?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">Laura</a></p>
</div>
<div><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">www.laurashumaker.com</a></div>
</div>
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[2]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(12) "Unbelievable"
["link"]=>
string(57) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/"
["comments"]=>
string(66) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:00:11 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(7) "Deborah"
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["category"]=>
string(24) "BlogBy AuthorDeborahWTH?"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4767"
["description"]=>
string(326) "Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs. In May of 2008, I [...]"
["content"]=>
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string(5536) "<p>Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/wendy_portillo-170x111/" rel="attachment wp-att-4773"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/wendy_portillo-170x111.jpg" alt="" title="wendy_portillo-170x111" width="170" height="111" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4773" /></a></p>
<p>In May of 2008, I wrote about Alex Barton who was then 5 years old.He was voted out of his kindergarten class because his fellow students felt he was “disgusting” and “annoying”. The classroom teacher suggested the vote – the school prinicpal supported the teacher.</p>
<p>Portillo was teaching kindergarten at Morningside Elementary in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She sent Alex Barton to the principal’s office for disciplinary reasons. When he returned sooner than expected, Portillo brought him to the front of the classroom and allowed his classmates to tell him how his behavior affected him. Portillo then initiated a classroom vote to see whether Alex should be allowed to come back to class. Alex lost the vote 14-2. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/alex_barton-170x170/" rel="attachment wp-att-4778"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/alex_barton-170x170.jpg" alt="" title="alex_barton-170x170" width="170" height="170" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4778" /></a></p>
<p>Portillo was given one-year unpaid suspension. She returned to teaching in November 2009. She was assigned to teach sixth-grade science at Allapattah Flats K-8. </p>
<p>But Ms. Portillo has again been accused of discrimination against a student with a disability.</p>
<p>“OCR investigated and found compliance concerns,” the press office said. The situation is being monitored after the Office of Civil Rights and the district agreed Aug. 9 on a resolution plan, the press office said.</p>
<p>Portillo and two other teachers were named in the complaint, which said the teachers did not consistently wear a microphone during class, required so a hearing-impaired student could hear the lessons, according to WPEC Channel 12 in West Palm Beach. </p>
<p>School District officials said the teachers will get training.</p>
<p>“The St. Lucie County School District has agreed to retrain the teachers to consistently use the audio enhancement devices per the resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights. It continues to be the mission of St. Lucie County Schools to provide the most effective learning environment for all students,” district spokeswoman Janice Karst said in a statement.</p>
<p>Karst said Portillo is continuing to teach.</p>
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["summary"]=>
string(326) "Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs. In May of 2008, I [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(5536) "<p>Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/wendy_portillo-170x111/" rel="attachment wp-att-4773"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/wendy_portillo-170x111.jpg" alt="" title="wendy_portillo-170x111" width="170" height="111" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4773" /></a></p>
<p>In May of 2008, I wrote about Alex Barton who was then 5 years old.He was voted out of his kindergarten class because his fellow students felt he was “disgusting” and “annoying”. The classroom teacher suggested the vote – the school prinicpal supported the teacher.</p>
<p>Portillo was teaching kindergarten at Morningside Elementary in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She sent Alex Barton to the principal’s office for disciplinary reasons. When he returned sooner than expected, Portillo brought him to the front of the classroom and allowed his classmates to tell him how his behavior affected him. Portillo then initiated a classroom vote to see whether Alex should be allowed to come back to class. Alex lost the vote 14-2. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/alex_barton-170x170/" rel="attachment wp-att-4778"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/alex_barton-170x170.jpg" alt="" title="alex_barton-170x170" width="170" height="170" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4778" /></a></p>
<p>Portillo was given one-year unpaid suspension. She returned to teaching in November 2009. She was assigned to teach sixth-grade science at Allapattah Flats K-8. </p>
<p>But Ms. Portillo has again been accused of discrimination against a student with a disability.</p>
<p>“OCR investigated and found compliance concerns,” the press office said. The situation is being monitored after the Office of Civil Rights and the district agreed Aug. 9 on a resolution plan, the press office said.</p>
<p>Portillo and two other teachers were named in the complaint, which said the teachers did not consistently wear a microphone during class, required so a hearing-impaired student could hear the lessons, according to WPEC Channel 12 in West Palm Beach. </p>
<p>School District officials said the teachers will get training.</p>
<p>“The St. Lucie County School District has agreed to retrain the teachers to consistently use the audio enhancement devices per the resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights. It continues to be the mission of St. Lucie County Schools to provide the most effective learning environment for all students,” district spokeswoman Janice Karst said in a statement.</p>
<p>Karst said Portillo is continuing to teach.</p>
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[3]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(27) "Special Exposure Wednesday."
["link"]=>
string(74) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/"
["comments"]=>
string(83) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:18:57 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(10) "TiffandIvy"
}
["category"]=>
string(34) "BlogSpecial Exposure WednesdayTiff"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4791"
["description"]=>
string(308) "Love the special bond that these two have. When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine and Ivy listens and then talks about her own worries and fears. It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load. Got something [...]"
["content"]=>
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string(3873) "<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-4792" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/immyandivysept2web/"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4792" title="immyandivysept2web" src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/immyandivysept2web-366x550.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /></a></p>
<p>Love the special bond that these two have.</p>
<p>When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine</p>
<p>and Ivy listens</p>
<p>and then talks about her own worries and fears.</p>
<p>It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load.<br />
Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=15758"></script></p>
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["summary"]=>
string(308) "Love the special bond that these two have. When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine and Ivy listens and then talks about her own worries and fears. It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load. Got something [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(3873) "<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-4792" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/immyandivysept2web/"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4792" title="immyandivysept2web" src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/immyandivysept2web-366x550.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /></a></p>
<p>Love the special bond that these two have.</p>
<p>When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine</p>
<p>and Ivy listens</p>
<p>and then talks about her own worries and fears.</p>
<p>It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load.<br />
Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=15758"></script></p>
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[4]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(47) "That special kind of high you get from your kid"
["link"]=>
string(92) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4762/that-special-kind-of-high-you-get-from-the-kids/"
["comments"]=>
string(101) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4762/that-special-kind-of-high-you-get-from-the-kids/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:00:57 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(8) "Ellen S."
}
["category"]=>
string(4) "Blog"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4762"
["description"]=>
string(297) "I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I [...]"
["content"]=>
array(1) {
["encoded"]=>
string(3828) "<p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>
<p>I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. </p>
<p>For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I mean, even the small things are a big deal, right? </p>
<p>Ellen blogs daily at <a href="http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com">Love That Max</a></p>
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string(297) "I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I [...]"
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<p>I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. </p>
<p>For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I mean, even the small things are a big deal, right? </p>
<p>Ellen blogs daily at <a href="http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com">Love That Max</a></p>
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["title"]=>
string(36) "Magic Marker Monday ? Shooting Star?"
["link"]=>
string(78) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4744/magic-marker-monday-shooting-star/"
["comments"]=>
string(87) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4744/magic-marker-monday-shooting-star/#comments"
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string(31) "Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:00:30 +0000"
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string(8) "Michelle"
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["category"]=>
string(19) "Magic Marker Monday"
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string(318) "“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that [...]"
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string(7172) "<p align="center"><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/magic_marker.jpg" alt="MMM" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>“<strong>It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”</strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>~Pablo Picasso</em></strong></p>
<p>Welcome to <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong>! If you haven’t heard about <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> yet, <a title="Welcome To Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">click here</a> and then hurry right back…</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt62/xqtz7984/5MF/sstr01.jpg" /></p>
<p>We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that came home with my 7-year-old. </p>
<p>Along with the fun of going to day camp (and she <em>did</em> have a lot of fun), there were some challenges.</p>
<p>The week started out rough for her — new kids, questions about her G-tube, teasing about her surgical scars, unkind comments about her differences from kids who considered themselves “normal”. </p>
<p>All part of growing up, but tough nonetheless.</p>
<p>So I was glad for this shooting star that she brought home on a particularly tough day. I put my arm around her as she unloaded about her day asking me, “Why do I have to be so different? It’s not fair.”</p>
<p>I smiled and, kissed the top of her head. “First, tell me about shooting stars.”</p>
<p>She lit up with the opportunity to pass on her newly acquired celestial knowledge. “Well, they’re actually not stars a’tall — they’re meteors an’ when they come close enough to the Earth, they make this big streak of light across the sky like fireworks! Zooooooooommmmm!!”</p>
<p>“Oh, so you mean they look just like all the other stars up there in the sky.”</p>
<p>She rolled her eyes at my denseness. “Mommmmmm! I jess’ told ya that they’re different than stars. They’re lots brighter — more like fireworks than stars.”</p>
<p>“Which is your favorite? Shooting stars or regular stars?”</p>
<p>Her eyes widened and her face lit up with a grin. “Shooting stars, of course.”</p>
<p>“No kidding! Me too!”</p>
<p>She laughed and then grew serious again. “So why do I have to be different than all the other kids, Mom?”</p>
<p>“Because you’re a shooting star. Just like a shooting star is different from all the twinkling stars in the sky, I’m <em>glad</em> you’re different than everyone else in the whole world. You don’t want to be just like everybody else. Not really. Just like a shooting star, you need to be bright and beautiful and different. You need to be you and let everyone else be the same if they want to.”</p>
<p>She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that sometimes it’s really, really hard being a shooting star when everybody else thinks its so much cooler to be a twinkle star.”</p>
<p>Here’s hoping she’ll always have the courage to light up the sky.</p>
<p><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/siggy2copy.png" alt="S2" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>What has your little artist been up to? Link up and share!</em></p>
<p align="center"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=43336" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p>Want the <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> button code? <a title="Link To Us" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/link-to-us/" target="_blank">Click Here!</a></p>
<p><a title="Michelle" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/meet-our-team/" target="_blank">Find out more about Michelle</a><br />
Meet Michelle here each Monday for <a title="Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">Magic Marker Monday</a><em><br />
Questions? Please feel free to email Michelle at childlif[at]gmail[dot]com or come and visit her at <a title="In The Life Of A Child" href="http://inthelifeofachild.com" target="_blank">In The Life of a Child</a></em></p>
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string(318) "“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(7172) "<p align="center"><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/magic_marker.jpg" alt="MMM" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>“<strong>It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”</strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>~Pablo Picasso</em></strong></p>
<p>Welcome to <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong>! If you haven’t heard about <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> yet, <a title="Welcome To Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">click here</a> and then hurry right back…</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt62/xqtz7984/5MF/sstr01.jpg" /></p>
<p>We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that came home with my 7-year-old. </p>
<p>Along with the fun of going to day camp (and she <em>did</em> have a lot of fun), there were some challenges.</p>
<p>The week started out rough for her — new kids, questions about her G-tube, teasing about her surgical scars, unkind comments about her differences from kids who considered themselves “normal”. </p>
<p>All part of growing up, but tough nonetheless.</p>
<p>So I was glad for this shooting star that she brought home on a particularly tough day. I put my arm around her as she unloaded about her day asking me, “Why do I have to be so different? It’s not fair.”</p>
<p>I smiled and, kissed the top of her head. “First, tell me about shooting stars.”</p>
<p>She lit up with the opportunity to pass on her newly acquired celestial knowledge. “Well, they’re actually not stars a’tall — they’re meteors an’ when they come close enough to the Earth, they make this big streak of light across the sky like fireworks! Zooooooooommmmm!!”</p>
<p>“Oh, so you mean they look just like all the other stars up there in the sky.”</p>
<p>She rolled her eyes at my denseness. “Mommmmmm! I jess’ told ya that they’re different than stars. They’re lots brighter — more like fireworks than stars.”</p>
<p>“Which is your favorite? Shooting stars or regular stars?”</p>
<p>Her eyes widened and her face lit up with a grin. “Shooting stars, of course.”</p>
<p>“No kidding! Me too!”</p>
<p>She laughed and then grew serious again. “So why do I have to be different than all the other kids, Mom?”</p>
<p>“Because you’re a shooting star. Just like a shooting star is different from all the twinkling stars in the sky, I’m <em>glad</em> you’re different than everyone else in the whole world. You don’t want to be just like everybody else. Not really. Just like a shooting star, you need to be bright and beautiful and different. You need to be you and let everyone else be the same if they want to.”</p>
<p>She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that sometimes it’s really, really hard being a shooting star when everybody else thinks its so much cooler to be a twinkle star.”</p>
<p>Here’s hoping she’ll always have the courage to light up the sky.</p>
<p><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/siggy2copy.png" alt="S2" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>What has your little artist been up to? Link up and share!</em></p>
<p align="center"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=43336" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p>Want the <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> button code? <a title="Link To Us" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/link-to-us/" target="_blank">Click Here!</a></p>
<p><a title="Michelle" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/meet-our-team/" target="_blank">Find out more about Michelle</a><br />
Meet Michelle here each Monday for <a title="Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">Magic Marker Monday</a><em><br />
Questions? Please feel free to email Michelle at childlif[at]gmail[dot]com or come and visit her at <a title="In The Life Of A Child" href="http://inthelifeofachild.com" target="_blank">In The Life of a Child</a></em></p>
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[6]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(20) "Heather?s Must-Haves"
["link"]=>
string(64) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4736/heathers-must-haves/"
["comments"]=>
string(73) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4736/heathers-must-haves/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:00:19 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(8) "HeatherP"
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["category"]=>
string(62) "Around the Blogosphere: Special Needs EditionBlogStuff We Love"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4736"
["description"]=>
string(318) "I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff. Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right? So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the [...]"
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string(6083) "<p>I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff.</p>
<p>Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right?</p>
<p>So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the special needs field. These are people who are engaging and wonderful—and who totally “get” where we are all coming from too. I’m hoping this will be a give and take relationship…I give, you take..and then give me ideas too! <img src='http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Most of you probably know about my favorite product ever…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signingtime.com">Signing Time</a> !</p>
<p>Sure, you probably know all the words to “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbOR9TujAc">Leah’s Farm</a>” or “Turtle Rock,” but do you really know all there is to know about the company?</p>
<p>AHA! That’s where I fit in…</p>
<p>First, there are always <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/shop/product-type/web-specials/">neat little sales</a> going on at the website!</p>
<p>Did you know they’re on Twitter? Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/signingtime">@SigningTime</a> and even <a href="http://twitter.com/ST_Rachel">Rachel</a>!</p>
<p>How about Facebook? Do you enjoy connecting there? Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/signingtime">make friends</a>!</p>
<p>If that’s not enough for you…there’s MORE!</p>
<p>There is the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/forums/">Signing Time Forum</a>, where you can meet other parents, gain support, or just learn a new sign! Check out the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/blog/">Signing Time Blog</a> and be surprised by little bits of news, events coming up, and my personal favorite, the Sign of the Week!</p>
<p>Do you know about the<a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/"> Signing Time Academy</a>? Certified Signing Time instructors are currently working all across the country holding classes to help raise awareness and teach sign language to everybody! Is there a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/find-a-class/">class near you</a>?</p>
<p>Now, what if…you’ve been signing for years. You know every sign to all of the first 7 volumes of Signing Time and you even sing the songs in the shower (um, I’m not the only one who does that, right?)…</p>
<p>YOU could be a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/become-an-instructor/">Signing Time Instructor</a>! I personally know some of the instructors and they are passionate about the Signing Time products and supporting the growth and development of all children!</p>
<p>My final thoughts go to Rachel. She has taught me so much about how to be a special needs parent. She cheered me on during days when I thought I was going to fall apart. She made me smile when I wanted to cry. She exudes hope. If you don’t <a href="http://www.rachelcoleman.com/">read her blog</a>, you are missing out on probably one of the most emotional, heartwarming experiences of your life.</p>
<p>Of course, if you don’t know about Signing Time, then you have a lot of catching up to do anyway!</p>
<p>Have a great week…see you next time for Heather’s Must-Haves!</p>
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string(318) "I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff. Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right? So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(6083) "<p>I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff.</p>
<p>Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right?</p>
<p>So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the special needs field. These are people who are engaging and wonderful—and who totally “get” where we are all coming from too. I’m hoping this will be a give and take relationship…I give, you take..and then give me ideas too! <img src='http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Most of you probably know about my favorite product ever…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signingtime.com">Signing Time</a> !</p>
<p>Sure, you probably know all the words to “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbOR9TujAc">Leah’s Farm</a>” or “Turtle Rock,” but do you really know all there is to know about the company?</p>
<p>AHA! That’s where I fit in…</p>
<p>First, there are always <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/shop/product-type/web-specials/">neat little sales</a> going on at the website!</p>
<p>Did you know they’re on Twitter? Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/signingtime">@SigningTime</a> and even <a href="http://twitter.com/ST_Rachel">Rachel</a>!</p>
<p>How about Facebook? Do you enjoy connecting there? Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/signingtime">make friends</a>!</p>
<p>If that’s not enough for you…there’s MORE!</p>
<p>There is the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/forums/">Signing Time Forum</a>, where you can meet other parents, gain support, or just learn a new sign! Check out the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/blog/">Signing Time Blog</a> and be surprised by little bits of news, events coming up, and my personal favorite, the Sign of the Week!</p>
<p>Do you know about the<a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/"> Signing Time Academy</a>? Certified Signing Time instructors are currently working all across the country holding classes to help raise awareness and teach sign language to everybody! Is there a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/find-a-class/">class near you</a>?</p>
<p>Now, what if…you’ve been signing for years. You know every sign to all of the first 7 volumes of Signing Time and you even sing the songs in the shower (um, I’m not the only one who does that, right?)…</p>
<p>YOU could be a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/become-an-instructor/">Signing Time Instructor</a>! I personally know some of the instructors and they are passionate about the Signing Time products and supporting the growth and development of all children!</p>
<p>My final thoughts go to Rachel. She has taught me so much about how to be a special needs parent. She cheered me on during days when I thought I was going to fall apart. She made me smile when I wanted to cry. She exudes hope. If you don’t <a href="http://www.rachelcoleman.com/">read her blog</a>, you are missing out on probably one of the most emotional, heartwarming experiences of your life.</p>
<p>Of course, if you don’t know about Signing Time, then you have a lot of catching up to do anyway!</p>
<p>Have a great week…see you next time for Heather’s Must-Haves!</p>
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[7]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(18) "Teaching Something"
["link"]=>
string(63) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4740/teaching-something/"
["comments"]=>
string(72) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4740/teaching-something/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:39 +0000"
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string(6) "SarahM"
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["category"]=>
string(19) "Beyond OrdinaryWTH?"
["guid"]=>
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["description"]=>
string(333) "I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect. But, I think it’s easier said than done. [...]"
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string(6133) "<p>I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect.</p>
<p>But, I think it’s easier said than done.</p>
<p>The other day, after an extremely tiring, puke-filled road trip, we decided to stop quickly for Mexican food. I needed a margarita, to be honest.</p>
<p>But Potato was late on his feed. And as any tube feeding parent knows, you must stick to the feeding schedule come hell or high water. Or the need for a decent burrito.</p>
<p>I made my way to the very tiny restaurant bathroom to hover over the one sink and clean out the pump bag and extension tube. It was all going peachy until the first visitor to the bathroom, a mother and her very precocious son.</p>
<p>I could hear them in the stall talking about life. About why somebody somebody no longer comes over to play (“She’s older than you, hon, she may just be acting that way”) and why it was important that he be able to go to the bathroom by himself someday.</p>
<p>When they got out of the stall, I moved out of the way of the sink so they could wash their hands. And as I gave my most reassuring, motherly smile to the ginger-haired kid, he asked quietly, “What’s that, Mom?” and pointing to the bag.</p>
<p>The mother yelled at him, “DON’T ASK THAT, IT’S RUDE!”</p>
<p>And promptly dragged him out of the restroom.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would have been more than happy to say that I too had a little boy who just so happened to eat through a plastic port in his stomach, not through his mouth….yadda yadda yadda. At least then, when he saw my smiling, bouncing baby boy, he would realize that those that eat through their stomach are pretty normal.</p>
<p>But as I was thinking this, another mother came in with a very annoying (sorry!) little girl. This little girl’s toilet conversation was a bit milder, although it involved a lot of whining (“I don’t WANT to do that!”).</p>
<p>After she came out of the stall, I again moved out of the way to let them at the sink. I think the mother was shamed into washing the girl’s hands as they were fully prepared to leave the bathroom without. Gross.</p>
<p>Anyway, as the girl approached the sink and saw me standing there with the bag, she dug in her heels and began screaming, “MOOOOM! What IS that? What IS THAT?”</p>
<p>Honestly, I think she thought I was going to stick it up her nose, or some other orifice.</p>
<p>The mother started kicking the girl towards the sink. Literally kicking her. Finally the mother said, “We all have our medical devices. Just leave it alone.”</p>
<p>After two parents that just didn’t take the opportunity to do anything but shame their children, I said, “If I told you what this did, you would lose your appetite for your dinner, and we don’t want that, do we?”</p>
<p>The little girl looked at me ashen faced and backed out of the bathroom.</p>
<p>By the time the bag was washed out and Potato was hooked up to the feed, I realized that I was no better than the parents who hadn’t educated their kids properly. I was no better than those parents that let their kids stare at Potato when he’s getting a feed.</p>
<p>Oh well. Better luck next time!</p>
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string(333) "I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect. But, I think it’s easier said than done. [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(6133) "<p>I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect.</p>
<p>But, I think it’s easier said than done.</p>
<p>The other day, after an extremely tiring, puke-filled road trip, we decided to stop quickly for Mexican food. I needed a margarita, to be honest.</p>
<p>But Potato was late on his feed. And as any tube feeding parent knows, you must stick to the feeding schedule come hell or high water. Or the need for a decent burrito.</p>
<p>I made my way to the very tiny restaurant bathroom to hover over the one sink and clean out the pump bag and extension tube. It was all going peachy until the first visitor to the bathroom, a mother and her very precocious son.</p>
<p>I could hear them in the stall talking about life. About why somebody somebody no longer comes over to play (“She’s older than you, hon, she may just be acting that way”) and why it was important that he be able to go to the bathroom by himself someday.</p>
<p>When they got out of the stall, I moved out of the way of the sink so they could wash their hands. And as I gave my most reassuring, motherly smile to the ginger-haired kid, he asked quietly, “What’s that, Mom?” and pointing to the bag.</p>
<p>The mother yelled at him, “DON’T ASK THAT, IT’S RUDE!”</p>
<p>And promptly dragged him out of the restroom.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would have been more than happy to say that I too had a little boy who just so happened to eat through a plastic port in his stomach, not through his mouth….yadda yadda yadda. At least then, when he saw my smiling, bouncing baby boy, he would realize that those that eat through their stomach are pretty normal.</p>
<p>But as I was thinking this, another mother came in with a very annoying (sorry!) little girl. This little girl’s toilet conversation was a bit milder, although it involved a lot of whining (“I don’t WANT to do that!”).</p>
<p>After she came out of the stall, I again moved out of the way to let them at the sink. I think the mother was shamed into washing the girl’s hands as they were fully prepared to leave the bathroom without. Gross.</p>
<p>Anyway, as the girl approached the sink and saw me standing there with the bag, she dug in her heels and began screaming, “MOOOOM! What IS that? What IS THAT?”</p>
<p>Honestly, I think she thought I was going to stick it up her nose, or some other orifice.</p>
<p>The mother started kicking the girl towards the sink. Literally kicking her. Finally the mother said, “We all have our medical devices. Just leave it alone.”</p>
<p>After two parents that just didn’t take the opportunity to do anything but shame their children, I said, “If I told you what this did, you would lose your appetite for your dinner, and we don’t want that, do we?”</p>
<p>The little girl looked at me ashen faced and backed out of the bathroom.</p>
<p>By the time the bag was washed out and Potato was hooked up to the feed, I realized that I was no better than the parents who hadn’t educated their kids properly. I was no better than those parents that let their kids stare at Potato when he’s getting a feed.</p>
<p>Oh well. Better luck next time!</p>
<div class="shr-bookmarks shr-bookmarks-expand shr-bookmarks-center shr-bookmarks-bg-caring">
<ul class="socials">
<li class="shr-twitter">
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[8]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(20) "Advising New Parents"
["link"]=>
string(65) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/"
["comments"]=>
string(74) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:00:09 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(7) "Deborah"
}
["category"]=>
string(48) "BlogBy AuthorDeborahIndividual Educational Plans"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4713"
["description"]=>
string(325) "It’s that time of year again – time to buy school supplies, Fall clothes, and healthy snacks for the school lunch box. It’s time to pay the exorbitant school fees for our children’s FREE education. And it’s time for parents of children with disabilities to see if they will face more battles with their school [...]"
["content"]=>
array(1) {
["encoded"]=>
string(4861) "<p>It’s that time of year again – time to buy school supplies, Fall clothes, and healthy snacks for the school lunch box. It’s time to pay the exorbitant school fees for our children’s FREE education. And it’s time for parents of children with disabilities to see if they will face more battles with their school districts while trying to ensure their children receive an appropriate education.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/attachment/24014/" rel="attachment wp-att-4716"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/24014-250x167.jpg" alt="" title="24014" width="250" height="167" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4716" /></a></p>
<p>I remember when my first child with disabilities entered the public school system. I was naïve and assumed everyone would love my child as much as I did, and would want to do everything they could to make her school experience a positive one. Along the way to high school where that youngest child now attends, I learned that her educational journey would not always be rainbows and unicorns.</p>
<p>If you could talk to that parent I was back then – the parent who trusted and believed in her educational system and its commitment to ALL children – what would you say? What would your advice be to new parent of children with disabilities, children who will start preschool or kindergarten this year?</p>
<p>Here’s my contribution to that parent, and please share yours in the comments:</p>
<p>Believe that your school district will care for your child. Believe they will always do what they can to ensure your child receives an appropriate education. But, document any issues – no matter how small. Prepare as if you will be one day be going to due process against your school district, but hope you never have to travel that path. That piece of advice, given to me so many years ago, made all the difference to my child. 99% of parents who take their school districts to due process lose. I prevailed at due process and my daughter did receive the education to which she was entitled because I followed that advice given to me over 13 years ago.</p>
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string(325) "It’s that time of year again – time to buy school supplies, Fall clothes, and healthy snacks for the school lunch box. It’s time to pay the exorbitant school fees for our children’s FREE education. And it’s time for parents of children with disabilities to see if they will face more battles with their school [...]"
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<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/attachment/24014/" rel="attachment wp-att-4716"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/24014-250x167.jpg" alt="" title="24014" width="250" height="167" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4716" /></a></p>
<p>I remember when my first child with disabilities entered the public school system. I was naïve and assumed everyone would love my child as much as I did, and would want to do everything they could to make her school experience a positive one. Along the way to high school where that youngest child now attends, I learned that her educational journey would not always be rainbows and unicorns.</p>
<p>If you could talk to that parent I was back then – the parent who trusted and believed in her educational system and its commitment to ALL children – what would you say? What would your advice be to new parent of children with disabilities, children who will start preschool or kindergarten this year?</p>
<p>Here’s my contribution to that parent, and please share yours in the comments:</p>
<p>Believe that your school district will care for your child. Believe they will always do what they can to ensure your child receives an appropriate education. But, document any issues – no matter how small. Prepare as if you will be one day be going to due process against your school district, but hope you never have to travel that path. That piece of advice, given to me so many years ago, made all the difference to my child. 99% of parents who take their school districts to due process lose. I prevailed at due process and my daughter did receive the education to which she was entitled because I followed that advice given to me over 13 years ago.</p>
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string(345) "She loves the outside. It is her favourite place to be. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday. Please remember your comment love at each link you visit. Also posting at Three Ring Circus. Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on [...]"
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<p>She loves the outside.</p>
<p>It is her favourite place to be.</p>
<p>Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=14768"></script></p>
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string(345) "She loves the outside. It is her favourite place to be. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday. Please remember your comment love at each link you visit. Also posting at Three Ring Circus. Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on [...]"
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<p>She loves the outside.</p>
<p>It is her favourite place to be.</p>
<p>Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=14768"></script></p>
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string(344) "Yesterday, my son turned four. When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone [...]"
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string(3986) "<p>Yesterday, my son turned four.</p>
<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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string(344) "Yesterday, my son turned four. When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(3986) "<p>Yesterday, my son turned four.</p>
<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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[1]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(40) "iPad for Autism: Selecting the best apps"
["link"]=>
string(84) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4803/ipad-for-autism-selecting-the-best-apps/"
["comments"]=>
string(93) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4803/ipad-for-autism-selecting-the-best-apps/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:06 +0000"
["dc"]=>
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string(6) "LauraS"
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["category"]=>
string(14) "BlogautismiPad"
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["description"]=>
string(359) "“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) John Gruber. There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the iPad helps children with autism, for good reason. As Ashley Harrell of SF [...]"
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imgs.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/lshumaker/2010/09/07/ipad.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="185" height="272" /></div>
<div>“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/08/13/ipad-autism" target="_blank">John Gruber</a>.</div>
<p>There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> helps children with autism, for good reason.</p>
<p>As<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/" target="_blank"> Ashley Harrell of SF Weekly,</a> reports, there are other computers designed for children with autism, but a growing number of experts say that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> is better. It’s cheaper, faster, more versatile, more user-friendly, more portable, more engaging, and infinitely cooler for young people.</p>
<p>San Francisco’s own <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Shannon Des Roches Rosa</a> has become a true expert on the subject. She recently won an iPad for her 9 year old son, Leo, who has autism, with a 5 dollar raffle ticket that she bought at a school auction. The iPad, Shannon reports, has benefited Leo in a BIG way.</p>
<p>“But before you go out and buy one,” she warns, “take your child to the Apple Store during a quiet time and let them try it out.”</p>
<p><strong>OK! OK! We tried it! We like it! Which Apps? </strong></p>
<p>“I did a lot of research, and there is a site called <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">MOMS WITH APPS</a> that lists and reviews apps by category. There are many, many apps to choose from, but the great thing about the iPad is that the interface is easy to use–just a tap and a swipe between pages. Leo was able to explore, something he hadn’t really done before, and he just kept going back to his favorites.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Among Leo’s favorites are:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.appstoreapps.com/2009/01/27/first-words/" target="_blank">First Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.touchscreenpreschoolgames.com/games/shape-builder-iphone-toddler-game" target="_blank">Shape Builder</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-handwriting-game/id307025309?mt=8" target="_blank">i Write Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tappytunes/id299495181?mt=8" target="_blank">Tappy Tunes</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.stories2learn.com/story.php" target="_blank">Stories 2 Learn</a></p>
<p>Others can be found <a href="http://momswithapps.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong><a href="http://momswithapps.com/2010/08/04/characteristics-of-great-apps-for-kids-with-autism/" target="_blank">READ SHANNON’s PIECE IN MOM’s WITH APPS</a></strong></p>
<p>Shannon will be writing more about the iPad as a tool for teaching children with autism at <a href="http://www.squidalicious.com/" target="_blank">Squadalicious,</a><a href="http://www.canisitwithyou.org/" target="_blank">Can I Sit With You?</a> as the <a href="http://www.blogher.com/user/119/posts" target="_blank">BlogHer Contributing Editor on parenting children with special needs, </a> and <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html" target="_blank">The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism.</a></p>
<p>Which apps are you using?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">Laura</a></p>
</div>
<div><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">www.laurashumaker.com</a></div>
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string(359) "“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) John Gruber. There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the iPad helps children with autism, for good reason. As Ashley Harrell of SF [...]"
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<div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://imgs.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/lshumaker/2010/09/07/ipad.jpg" border="0" alt="" width="185" height="272" /></div>
<div>“The iPad wasn’t designed with autistic children in mind, but, anecdotally, the results are seemingly miraculous,” say’s well known technology bloggers (and Apple Critic) <a href="http://daringfireball.net/linked/2010/08/13/ipad-autism" target="_blank">John Gruber</a>.</div>
<p>There is a lot of buzz in the autism world about the many ways that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> helps children with autism, for good reason.</p>
<p>As<a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/2010-08-11/news/ihelp-for-autism/" target="_blank"> Ashley Harrell of SF Weekly,</a> reports, there are other computers designed for children with autism, but a growing number of experts say that the <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipad/" target="_blank">iPad</a> is better. It’s cheaper, faster, more versatile, more user-friendly, more portable, more engaging, and infinitely cooler for young people.</p>
<p>San Francisco’s own <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Shannon Des Roches Rosa</a> has become a true expert on the subject. She recently won an iPad for her 9 year old son, Leo, who has autism, with a 5 dollar raffle ticket that she bought at a school auction. The iPad, Shannon reports, has benefited Leo in a BIG way.</p>
<p>“But before you go out and buy one,” she warns, “take your child to the Apple Store during a quiet time and let them try it out.”</p>
<p><strong>OK! OK! We tried it! We like it! Which Apps? </strong></p>
<p>“I did a lot of research, and there is a site called <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">MOMS WITH APPS</a> that lists and reviews apps by category. There are many, many apps to choose from, but the great thing about the iPad is that the interface is easy to use–just a tap and a swipe between pages. Leo was able to explore, something he hadn’t really done before, and he just kept going back to his favorites.”</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Among Leo’s favorites are:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.appstoreapps.com/2009/01/27/first-words/" target="_blank">First Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.touchscreenpreschoolgames.com/games/shape-builder-iphone-toddler-game" target="_blank">Shape Builder</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iwritewords-handwriting-game/id307025309?mt=8" target="_blank">i Write Words</a></p>
<p><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tappytunes/id299495181?mt=8" target="_blank">Tappy Tunes</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.stories2learn.com/story.php" target="_blank">Stories 2 Learn</a></p>
<p>Others can be found <a href="http://momswithapps.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong><a href="http://momswithapps.com/2010/08/04/characteristics-of-great-apps-for-kids-with-autism/" target="_blank">READ SHANNON’s PIECE IN MOM’s WITH APPS</a></strong></p>
<p>Shannon will be writing more about the iPad as a tool for teaching children with autism at <a href="http://www.squidalicious.com/" target="_blank">Squadalicious,</a><a href="http://www.canisitwithyou.org/" target="_blank">Can I Sit With You?</a> as the <a href="http://www.blogher.com/user/119/posts" target="_blank">BlogHer Contributing Editor on parenting children with special needs, </a> and <a href="http://thinkingautismguide.blogspot.com/p/mission-statement.html" target="_blank">The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism.</a></p>
<p>Which apps are you using?</p>
</div>
<div>
<p><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">Laura</a></p>
</div>
<div><a href="http://www.laurashumaker.com/contests-in-progress/">www.laurashumaker.com</a></div>
</div>
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[2]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(12) "Unbelievable"
["link"]=>
string(57) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/"
["comments"]=>
string(66) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:00:11 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(7) "Deborah"
}
["category"]=>
string(24) "BlogBy AuthorDeborahWTH?"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4767"
["description"]=>
string(326) "Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs. In May of 2008, I [...]"
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string(5536) "<p>Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/wendy_portillo-170x111/" rel="attachment wp-att-4773"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/wendy_portillo-170x111.jpg" alt="" title="wendy_portillo-170x111" width="170" height="111" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4773" /></a></p>
<p>In May of 2008, I wrote about Alex Barton who was then 5 years old.He was voted out of his kindergarten class because his fellow students felt he was “disgusting” and “annoying”. The classroom teacher suggested the vote – the school prinicpal supported the teacher.</p>
<p>Portillo was teaching kindergarten at Morningside Elementary in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She sent Alex Barton to the principal’s office for disciplinary reasons. When he returned sooner than expected, Portillo brought him to the front of the classroom and allowed his classmates to tell him how his behavior affected him. Portillo then initiated a classroom vote to see whether Alex should be allowed to come back to class. Alex lost the vote 14-2. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/alex_barton-170x170/" rel="attachment wp-att-4778"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/alex_barton-170x170.jpg" alt="" title="alex_barton-170x170" width="170" height="170" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4778" /></a></p>
<p>Portillo was given one-year unpaid suspension. She returned to teaching in November 2009. She was assigned to teach sixth-grade science at Allapattah Flats K-8. </p>
<p>But Ms. Portillo has again been accused of discrimination against a student with a disability.</p>
<p>“OCR investigated and found compliance concerns,” the press office said. The situation is being monitored after the Office of Civil Rights and the district agreed Aug. 9 on a resolution plan, the press office said.</p>
<p>Portillo and two other teachers were named in the complaint, which said the teachers did not consistently wear a microphone during class, required so a hearing-impaired student could hear the lessons, according to WPEC Channel 12 in West Palm Beach. </p>
<p>School District officials said the teachers will get training.</p>
<p>“The St. Lucie County School District has agreed to retrain the teachers to consistently use the audio enhancement devices per the resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights. It continues to be the mission of St. Lucie County Schools to provide the most effective learning environment for all students,” district spokeswoman Janice Karst said in a statement.</p>
<p>Karst said Portillo is continuing to teach.</p>
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string(326) "Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs. In May of 2008, I [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(5536) "<p>Again Wendy Portillo has been accused of discrimination against a child with special needs in her classroom. The fact that Ms. Portillo continues in her abhorrent actions is not surprising to me. What is surprising is that she is still teaching, still in the classroom with children with special needs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/wendy_portillo-170x111/" rel="attachment wp-att-4773"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/wendy_portillo-170x111.jpg" alt="" title="wendy_portillo-170x111" width="170" height="111" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4773" /></a></p>
<p>In May of 2008, I wrote about Alex Barton who was then 5 years old.He was voted out of his kindergarten class because his fellow students felt he was “disgusting” and “annoying”. The classroom teacher suggested the vote – the school prinicpal supported the teacher.</p>
<p>Portillo was teaching kindergarten at Morningside Elementary in Port St. Lucie, Florida. She sent Alex Barton to the principal’s office for disciplinary reasons. When he returned sooner than expected, Portillo brought him to the front of the classroom and allowed his classmates to tell him how his behavior affected him. Portillo then initiated a classroom vote to see whether Alex should be allowed to come back to class. Alex lost the vote 14-2. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4767/unbelievable/alex_barton-170x170/" rel="attachment wp-att-4778"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/alex_barton-170x170.jpg" alt="" title="alex_barton-170x170" width="170" height="170" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4778" /></a></p>
<p>Portillo was given one-year unpaid suspension. She returned to teaching in November 2009. She was assigned to teach sixth-grade science at Allapattah Flats K-8. </p>
<p>But Ms. Portillo has again been accused of discrimination against a student with a disability.</p>
<p>“OCR investigated and found compliance concerns,” the press office said. The situation is being monitored after the Office of Civil Rights and the district agreed Aug. 9 on a resolution plan, the press office said.</p>
<p>Portillo and two other teachers were named in the complaint, which said the teachers did not consistently wear a microphone during class, required so a hearing-impaired student could hear the lessons, according to WPEC Channel 12 in West Palm Beach. </p>
<p>School District officials said the teachers will get training.</p>
<p>“The St. Lucie County School District has agreed to retrain the teachers to consistently use the audio enhancement devices per the resolution agreement with the Office of Civil Rights. It continues to be the mission of St. Lucie County Schools to provide the most effective learning environment for all students,” district spokeswoman Janice Karst said in a statement.</p>
<p>Karst said Portillo is continuing to teach.</p>
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array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(27) "Special Exposure Wednesday."
["link"]=>
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string(83) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:18:57 +0000"
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string(10) "TiffandIvy"
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["category"]=>
string(34) "BlogSpecial Exposure WednesdayTiff"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4791"
["description"]=>
string(308) "Love the special bond that these two have. When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine and Ivy listens and then talks about her own worries and fears. It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load. Got something [...]"
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string(3873) "<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-4792" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/immyandivysept2web/"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4792" title="immyandivysept2web" src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/immyandivysept2web-366x550.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /></a></p>
<p>Love the special bond that these two have.</p>
<p>When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine</p>
<p>and Ivy listens</p>
<p>and then talks about her own worries and fears.</p>
<p>It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load.<br />
Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=15758"></script></p>
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string(308) "Love the special bond that these two have. When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine and Ivy listens and then talks about her own worries and fears. It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load. Got something [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(3873) "<p><a rel="attachment wp-att-4792" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4791/special-exposure-wednesday-50/immyandivysept2web/"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-4792" title="immyandivysept2web" src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/immyandivysept2web-366x550.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /></a></p>
<p>Love the special bond that these two have.</p>
<p>When things are tough Immy will tell Ivy stories about how it was when she was little and needed needles and medicine</p>
<p>and Ivy listens</p>
<p>and then talks about her own worries and fears.</p>
<p>It’s always good to have somebody to help carry the load.<br />
Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=15758"></script></p>
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[4]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(47) "That special kind of high you get from your kid"
["link"]=>
string(92) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4762/that-special-kind-of-high-you-get-from-the-kids/"
["comments"]=>
string(101) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4762/that-special-kind-of-high-you-get-from-the-kids/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:00:57 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(8) "Ellen S."
}
["category"]=>
string(4) "Blog"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4762"
["description"]=>
string(297) "I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I [...]"
["content"]=>
array(1) {
["encoded"]=>
string(3828) "<p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>
<p>I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. </p>
<p>For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I mean, even the small things are a big deal, right? </p>
<p>Ellen blogs daily at <a href="http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com">Love That Max</a></p>
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["summary"]=>
string(297) "I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I [...]"
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string(3828) "<p><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Reve237-6AM?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></p>
<p>I put up this video on my blog last night. Seeing Max playing piano like that made my whole weekend. </p>
<p>For those of you who are taking time on Labor Day to read this (shouldn’t you be out barbecuing?!), tell me, what’s the last thing your kid did that thrilled you? Big or small! I mean, even the small things are a big deal, right? </p>
<p>Ellen blogs daily at <a href="http://lovethatmax.blogspot.com">Love That Max</a></p>
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[5]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(36) "Magic Marker Monday ? Shooting Star?"
["link"]=>
string(78) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4744/magic-marker-monday-shooting-star/"
["comments"]=>
string(87) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4744/magic-marker-monday-shooting-star/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:00:30 +0000"
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string(8) "Michelle"
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["category"]=>
string(19) "Magic Marker Monday"
["guid"]=>
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["description"]=>
string(318) "“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that [...]"
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string(7172) "<p align="center"><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/magic_marker.jpg" alt="MMM" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>“<strong>It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”</strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>~Pablo Picasso</em></strong></p>
<p>Welcome to <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong>! If you haven’t heard about <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> yet, <a title="Welcome To Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">click here</a> and then hurry right back…</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt62/xqtz7984/5MF/sstr01.jpg" /></p>
<p>We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that came home with my 7-year-old. </p>
<p>Along with the fun of going to day camp (and she <em>did</em> have a lot of fun), there were some challenges.</p>
<p>The week started out rough for her — new kids, questions about her G-tube, teasing about her surgical scars, unkind comments about her differences from kids who considered themselves “normal”. </p>
<p>All part of growing up, but tough nonetheless.</p>
<p>So I was glad for this shooting star that she brought home on a particularly tough day. I put my arm around her as she unloaded about her day asking me, “Why do I have to be so different? It’s not fair.”</p>
<p>I smiled and, kissed the top of her head. “First, tell me about shooting stars.”</p>
<p>She lit up with the opportunity to pass on her newly acquired celestial knowledge. “Well, they’re actually not stars a’tall — they’re meteors an’ when they come close enough to the Earth, they make this big streak of light across the sky like fireworks! Zooooooooommmmm!!”</p>
<p>“Oh, so you mean they look just like all the other stars up there in the sky.”</p>
<p>She rolled her eyes at my denseness. “Mommmmmm! I jess’ told ya that they’re different than stars. They’re lots brighter — more like fireworks than stars.”</p>
<p>“Which is your favorite? Shooting stars or regular stars?”</p>
<p>Her eyes widened and her face lit up with a grin. “Shooting stars, of course.”</p>
<p>“No kidding! Me too!”</p>
<p>She laughed and then grew serious again. “So why do I have to be different than all the other kids, Mom?”</p>
<p>“Because you’re a shooting star. Just like a shooting star is different from all the twinkling stars in the sky, I’m <em>glad</em> you’re different than everyone else in the whole world. You don’t want to be just like everybody else. Not really. Just like a shooting star, you need to be bright and beautiful and different. You need to be you and let everyone else be the same if they want to.”</p>
<p>She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that sometimes it’s really, really hard being a shooting star when everybody else thinks its so much cooler to be a twinkle star.”</p>
<p>Here’s hoping she’ll always have the courage to light up the sky.</p>
<p><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/siggy2copy.png" alt="S2" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>What has your little artist been up to? Link up and share!</em></p>
<p align="center"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=43336" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p>Want the <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> button code? <a title="Link To Us" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/link-to-us/" target="_blank">Click Here!</a></p>
<p><a title="Michelle" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/meet-our-team/" target="_blank">Find out more about Michelle</a><br />
Meet Michelle here each Monday for <a title="Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">Magic Marker Monday</a><em><br />
Questions? Please feel free to email Michelle at childlif[at]gmail[dot]com or come and visit her at <a title="In The Life Of A Child" href="http://inthelifeofachild.com" target="_blank">In The Life of a Child</a></em></p>
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["summary"]=>
string(318) "“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” ~Pablo Picasso Welcome to Magic Marker Monday! If you haven’t heard about Magic Marker Monday yet, click here and then hurry right back… We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(7172) "<p align="center"><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/magic_marker.jpg" alt="MMM" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>“<strong>It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”</strong></em></p>
<p align="center"><strong><em>~Pablo Picasso</em></strong></p>
<p>Welcome to <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong>! If you haven’t heard about <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> yet, <a title="Welcome To Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">click here</a> and then hurry right back…</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt62/xqtz7984/5MF/sstr01.jpg" /></p>
<p>We had day camp this past week and this was one of the crafts that came home with my 7-year-old. </p>
<p>Along with the fun of going to day camp (and she <em>did</em> have a lot of fun), there were some challenges.</p>
<p>The week started out rough for her — new kids, questions about her G-tube, teasing about her surgical scars, unkind comments about her differences from kids who considered themselves “normal”. </p>
<p>All part of growing up, but tough nonetheless.</p>
<p>So I was glad for this shooting star that she brought home on a particularly tough day. I put my arm around her as she unloaded about her day asking me, “Why do I have to be so different? It’s not fair.”</p>
<p>I smiled and, kissed the top of her head. “First, tell me about shooting stars.”</p>
<p>She lit up with the opportunity to pass on her newly acquired celestial knowledge. “Well, they’re actually not stars a’tall — they’re meteors an’ when they come close enough to the Earth, they make this big streak of light across the sky like fireworks! Zooooooooommmmm!!”</p>
<p>“Oh, so you mean they look just like all the other stars up there in the sky.”</p>
<p>She rolled her eyes at my denseness. “Mommmmmm! I jess’ told ya that they’re different than stars. They’re lots brighter — more like fireworks than stars.”</p>
<p>“Which is your favorite? Shooting stars or regular stars?”</p>
<p>Her eyes widened and her face lit up with a grin. “Shooting stars, of course.”</p>
<p>“No kidding! Me too!”</p>
<p>She laughed and then grew serious again. “So why do I have to be different than all the other kids, Mom?”</p>
<p>“Because you’re a shooting star. Just like a shooting star is different from all the twinkling stars in the sky, I’m <em>glad</em> you’re different than everyone else in the whole world. You don’t want to be just like everybody else. Not really. Just like a shooting star, you need to be bright and beautiful and different. You need to be you and let everyone else be the same if they want to.”</p>
<p>She sighed and leaned her head on my shoulder. “I guess you’re right. It’s just that sometimes it’s really, really hard being a shooting star when everybody else thinks its so much cooler to be a twinkle star.”</p>
<p>Here’s hoping she’ll always have the courage to light up the sky.</p>
<p><img src="http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii305/childslife/Avatars/siggy2copy.png" alt="S2" /></p>
<p align="center"><em>What has your little artist been up to? Link up and share!</em></p>
<p align="center"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/basic_linky_include.aspx?id=43336" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p>Want the <strong>Magic Marker Monday</strong> button code? <a title="Link To Us" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/link-to-us/" target="_blank">Click Here!</a></p>
<p><a title="Michelle" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/meet-our-team/" target="_blank">Find out more about Michelle</a><br />
Meet Michelle here each Monday for <a title="Magic Marker Monday" href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/58/magic-marker-monday/" target="_blank">Magic Marker Monday</a><em><br />
Questions? Please feel free to email Michelle at childlif[at]gmail[dot]com or come and visit her at <a title="In The Life Of A Child" href="http://inthelifeofachild.com" target="_blank">In The Life of a Child</a></em></p>
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[6]=>
array(13) {
["title"]=>
string(20) "Heather?s Must-Haves"
["link"]=>
string(64) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4736/heathers-must-haves/"
["comments"]=>
string(73) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4736/heathers-must-haves/#comments"
["pubdate"]=>
string(31) "Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:00:19 +0000"
["dc"]=>
array(1) {
["creator"]=>
string(8) "HeatherP"
}
["category"]=>
string(62) "Around the Blogosphere: Special Needs EditionBlogStuff We Love"
["guid"]=>
string(46) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/?p=4736"
["description"]=>
string(318) "I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff. Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right? So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the [...]"
["content"]=>
array(1) {
["encoded"]=>
string(6083) "<p>I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff.</p>
<p>Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right?</p>
<p>So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the special needs field. These are people who are engaging and wonderful—and who totally “get” where we are all coming from too. I’m hoping this will be a give and take relationship…I give, you take..and then give me ideas too! <img src='http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Most of you probably know about my favorite product ever…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signingtime.com">Signing Time</a> !</p>
<p>Sure, you probably know all the words to “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbOR9TujAc">Leah’s Farm</a>” or “Turtle Rock,” but do you really know all there is to know about the company?</p>
<p>AHA! That’s where I fit in…</p>
<p>First, there are always <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/shop/product-type/web-specials/">neat little sales</a> going on at the website!</p>
<p>Did you know they’re on Twitter? Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/signingtime">@SigningTime</a> and even <a href="http://twitter.com/ST_Rachel">Rachel</a>!</p>
<p>How about Facebook? Do you enjoy connecting there? Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/signingtime">make friends</a>!</p>
<p>If that’s not enough for you…there’s MORE!</p>
<p>There is the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/forums/">Signing Time Forum</a>, where you can meet other parents, gain support, or just learn a new sign! Check out the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/blog/">Signing Time Blog</a> and be surprised by little bits of news, events coming up, and my personal favorite, the Sign of the Week!</p>
<p>Do you know about the<a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/"> Signing Time Academy</a>? Certified Signing Time instructors are currently working all across the country holding classes to help raise awareness and teach sign language to everybody! Is there a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/find-a-class/">class near you</a>?</p>
<p>Now, what if…you’ve been signing for years. You know every sign to all of the first 7 volumes of Signing Time and you even sing the songs in the shower (um, I’m not the only one who does that, right?)…</p>
<p>YOU could be a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/become-an-instructor/">Signing Time Instructor</a>! I personally know some of the instructors and they are passionate about the Signing Time products and supporting the growth and development of all children!</p>
<p>My final thoughts go to Rachel. She has taught me so much about how to be a special needs parent. She cheered me on during days when I thought I was going to fall apart. She made me smile when I wanted to cry. She exudes hope. If you don’t <a href="http://www.rachelcoleman.com/">read her blog</a>, you are missing out on probably one of the most emotional, heartwarming experiences of your life.</p>
<p>Of course, if you don’t know about Signing Time, then you have a lot of catching up to do anyway!</p>
<p>Have a great week…see you next time for Heather’s Must-Haves!</p>
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string(318) "I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff. Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right? So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(6083) "<p>I, unashamedly, am the self-proclaimed best online shopper the world has ever seen. I have found some of the coolest stuff.</p>
<p>Far be it from me to not share the wealth, right?</p>
<p>So, I’m going to share with you some of my favorite finds…and introduce you to some of my favorite online personalities in the special needs field. These are people who are engaging and wonderful—and who totally “get” where we are all coming from too. I’m hoping this will be a give and take relationship…I give, you take..and then give me ideas too! <img src='http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif' alt=';)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Most of you probably know about my favorite product ever…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signingtime.com">Signing Time</a> !</p>
<p>Sure, you probably know all the words to “<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbOR9TujAc">Leah’s Farm</a>” or “Turtle Rock,” but do you really know all there is to know about the company?</p>
<p>AHA! That’s where I fit in…</p>
<p>First, there are always <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/shop/product-type/web-specials/">neat little sales</a> going on at the website!</p>
<p>Did you know they’re on Twitter? Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/signingtime">@SigningTime</a> and even <a href="http://twitter.com/ST_Rachel">Rachel</a>!</p>
<p>How about Facebook? Do you enjoy connecting there? Go <a href="http://www.facebook.com/signingtime">make friends</a>!</p>
<p>If that’s not enough for you…there’s MORE!</p>
<p>There is the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/forums/">Signing Time Forum</a>, where you can meet other parents, gain support, or just learn a new sign! Check out the <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/blog/">Signing Time Blog</a> and be surprised by little bits of news, events coming up, and my personal favorite, the Sign of the Week!</p>
<p>Do you know about the<a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/"> Signing Time Academy</a>? Certified Signing Time instructors are currently working all across the country holding classes to help raise awareness and teach sign language to everybody! Is there a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/find-a-class/">class near you</a>?</p>
<p>Now, what if…you’ve been signing for years. You know every sign to all of the first 7 volumes of Signing Time and you even sing the songs in the shower (um, I’m not the only one who does that, right?)…</p>
<p>YOU could be a <a href="http://www.signingtime.com/academy/become-an-instructor/">Signing Time Instructor</a>! I personally know some of the instructors and they are passionate about the Signing Time products and supporting the growth and development of all children!</p>
<p>My final thoughts go to Rachel. She has taught me so much about how to be a special needs parent. She cheered me on during days when I thought I was going to fall apart. She made me smile when I wanted to cry. She exudes hope. If you don’t <a href="http://www.rachelcoleman.com/">read her blog</a>, you are missing out on probably one of the most emotional, heartwarming experiences of your life.</p>
<p>Of course, if you don’t know about Signing Time, then you have a lot of catching up to do anyway!</p>
<p>Have a great week…see you next time for Heather’s Must-Haves!</p>
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["title"]=>
string(18) "Teaching Something"
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string(72) "http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4740/teaching-something/#comments"
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string(31) "Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:39 +0000"
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string(19) "Beyond OrdinaryWTH?"
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string(333) "I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect. But, I think it’s easier said than done. [...]"
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string(6133) "<p>I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect.</p>
<p>But, I think it’s easier said than done.</p>
<p>The other day, after an extremely tiring, puke-filled road trip, we decided to stop quickly for Mexican food. I needed a margarita, to be honest.</p>
<p>But Potato was late on his feed. And as any tube feeding parent knows, you must stick to the feeding schedule come hell or high water. Or the need for a decent burrito.</p>
<p>I made my way to the very tiny restaurant bathroom to hover over the one sink and clean out the pump bag and extension tube. It was all going peachy until the first visitor to the bathroom, a mother and her very precocious son.</p>
<p>I could hear them in the stall talking about life. About why somebody somebody no longer comes over to play (“She’s older than you, hon, she may just be acting that way”) and why it was important that he be able to go to the bathroom by himself someday.</p>
<p>When they got out of the stall, I moved out of the way of the sink so they could wash their hands. And as I gave my most reassuring, motherly smile to the ginger-haired kid, he asked quietly, “What’s that, Mom?” and pointing to the bag.</p>
<p>The mother yelled at him, “DON’T ASK THAT, IT’S RUDE!”</p>
<p>And promptly dragged him out of the restroom.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would have been more than happy to say that I too had a little boy who just so happened to eat through a plastic port in his stomach, not through his mouth….yadda yadda yadda. At least then, when he saw my smiling, bouncing baby boy, he would realize that those that eat through their stomach are pretty normal.</p>
<p>But as I was thinking this, another mother came in with a very annoying (sorry!) little girl. This little girl’s toilet conversation was a bit milder, although it involved a lot of whining (“I don’t WANT to do that!”).</p>
<p>After she came out of the stall, I again moved out of the way to let them at the sink. I think the mother was shamed into washing the girl’s hands as they were fully prepared to leave the bathroom without. Gross.</p>
<p>Anyway, as the girl approached the sink and saw me standing there with the bag, she dug in her heels and began screaming, “MOOOOM! What IS that? What IS THAT?”</p>
<p>Honestly, I think she thought I was going to stick it up her nose, or some other orifice.</p>
<p>The mother started kicking the girl towards the sink. Literally kicking her. Finally the mother said, “We all have our medical devices. Just leave it alone.”</p>
<p>After two parents that just didn’t take the opportunity to do anything but shame their children, I said, “If I told you what this did, you would lose your appetite for your dinner, and we don’t want that, do we?”</p>
<p>The little girl looked at me ashen faced and backed out of the bathroom.</p>
<p>By the time the bag was washed out and Potato was hooked up to the feed, I realized that I was no better than the parents who hadn’t educated their kids properly. I was no better than those parents that let their kids stare at Potato when he’s getting a feed.</p>
<p>Oh well. Better luck next time!</p>
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string(333) "I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect. But, I think it’s easier said than done. [...]"
["atom_content"]=>
string(6133) "<p>I’ve read many posts about educating others about what it means to be special needs, about how to be honest about the medical equipment or attitude issue so that the person learning understands the basics and can then treat that person (or others like him/her) with respect.</p>
<p>But, I think it’s easier said than done.</p>
<p>The other day, after an extremely tiring, puke-filled road trip, we decided to stop quickly for Mexican food. I needed a margarita, to be honest.</p>
<p>But Potato was late on his feed. And as any tube feeding parent knows, you must stick to the feeding schedule come hell or high water. Or the need for a decent burrito.</p>
<p>I made my way to the very tiny restaurant bathroom to hover over the one sink and clean out the pump bag and extension tube. It was all going peachy until the first visitor to the bathroom, a mother and her very precocious son.</p>
<p>I could hear them in the stall talking about life. About why somebody somebody no longer comes over to play (“She’s older than you, hon, she may just be acting that way”) and why it was important that he be able to go to the bathroom by himself someday.</p>
<p>When they got out of the stall, I moved out of the way of the sink so they could wash their hands. And as I gave my most reassuring, motherly smile to the ginger-haired kid, he asked quietly, “What’s that, Mom?” and pointing to the bag.</p>
<p>The mother yelled at him, “DON’T ASK THAT, IT’S RUDE!”</p>
<p>And promptly dragged him out of the restroom.</p>
<p>Honestly, I would have been more than happy to say that I too had a little boy who just so happened to eat through a plastic port in his stomach, not through his mouth….yadda yadda yadda. At least then, when he saw my smiling, bouncing baby boy, he would realize that those that eat through their stomach are pretty normal.</p>
<p>But as I was thinking this, another mother came in with a very annoying (sorry!) little girl. This little girl’s toilet conversation was a bit milder, although it involved a lot of whining (“I don’t WANT to do that!”).</p>
<p>After she came out of the stall, I again moved out of the way to let them at the sink. I think the mother was shamed into washing the girl’s hands as they were fully prepared to leave the bathroom without. Gross.</p>
<p>Anyway, as the girl approached the sink and saw me standing there with the bag, she dug in her heels and began screaming, “MOOOOM! What IS that? What IS THAT?”</p>
<p>Honestly, I think she thought I was going to stick it up her nose, or some other orifice.</p>
<p>The mother started kicking the girl towards the sink. Literally kicking her. Finally the mother said, “We all have our medical devices. Just leave it alone.”</p>
<p>After two parents that just didn’t take the opportunity to do anything but shame their children, I said, “If I told you what this did, you would lose your appetite for your dinner, and we don’t want that, do we?”</p>
<p>The little girl looked at me ashen faced and backed out of the bathroom.</p>
<p>By the time the bag was washed out and Potato was hooked up to the feed, I realized that I was no better than the parents who hadn’t educated their kids properly. I was no better than those parents that let their kids stare at Potato when he’s getting a feed.</p>
<p>Oh well. Better luck next time!</p>
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<ul class="socials">
<li class="shr-twitter">
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string(325) "It’s that time of year again – time to buy school supplies, Fall clothes, and healthy snacks for the school lunch box. It’s time to pay the exorbitant school fees for our children’s FREE education. And it’s time for parents of children with disabilities to see if they will face more battles with their school [...]"
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<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/attachment/24014/" rel="attachment wp-att-4716"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/24014-250x167.jpg" alt="" title="24014" width="250" height="167" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4716" /></a></p>
<p>I remember when my first child with disabilities entered the public school system. I was naïve and assumed everyone would love my child as much as I did, and would want to do everything they could to make her school experience a positive one. Along the way to high school where that youngest child now attends, I learned that her educational journey would not always be rainbows and unicorns.</p>
<p>If you could talk to that parent I was back then – the parent who trusted and believed in her educational system and its commitment to ALL children – what would you say? What would your advice be to new parent of children with disabilities, children who will start preschool or kindergarten this year?</p>
<p>Here’s my contribution to that parent, and please share yours in the comments:</p>
<p>Believe that your school district will care for your child. Believe they will always do what they can to ensure your child receives an appropriate education. But, document any issues – no matter how small. Prepare as if you will be one day be going to due process against your school district, but hope you never have to travel that path. That piece of advice, given to me so many years ago, made all the difference to my child. 99% of parents who take their school districts to due process lose. I prevailed at due process and my daughter did receive the education to which she was entitled because I followed that advice given to me over 13 years ago.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/4713/advising-new-parents/attachment/24014/" rel="attachment wp-att-4716"><img src="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/24014-250x167.jpg" alt="" title="24014" width="250" height="167" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4716" /></a></p>
<p>I remember when my first child with disabilities entered the public school system. I was naïve and assumed everyone would love my child as much as I did, and would want to do everything they could to make her school experience a positive one. Along the way to high school where that youngest child now attends, I learned that her educational journey would not always be rainbows and unicorns.</p>
<p>If you could talk to that parent I was back then – the parent who trusted and believed in her educational system and its commitment to ALL children – what would you say? What would your advice be to new parent of children with disabilities, children who will start preschool or kindergarten this year?</p>
<p>Here’s my contribution to that parent, and please share yours in the comments:</p>
<p>Believe that your school district will care for your child. Believe they will always do what they can to ensure your child receives an appropriate education. But, document any issues – no matter how small. Prepare as if you will be one day be going to due process against your school district, but hope you never have to travel that path. That piece of advice, given to me so many years ago, made all the difference to my child. 99% of parents who take their school districts to due process lose. I prevailed at due process and my daughter did receive the education to which she was entitled because I followed that advice given to me over 13 years ago.</p>
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string(345) "She loves the outside. It is her favourite place to be. Got something to share? Why don’t you join in this Special Exposure Wednesday. Please remember your comment love at each link you visit. Also posting at Three Ring Circus. Tweet This! Share this on Facebook Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon Share this on [...]"
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<p>She loves the outside.</p>
<p>It is her favourite place to be.</p>
<p>Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=14768"></script></p>
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<p>She loves the outside.</p>
<p>It is her favourite place to be.</p>
<p>Got something to share?</p>
<p>Why don’t you join in this <a href="http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/9/welcome-to-spe%E2%80%A6sure-wednesdaywelcome-to-special-exposure-wednesday/">Special Exposure Wednesday</a>.</p>
<p>Please remember your comment love at each link you visit.</p>
<p>Also posting at <a href="http://mythreeringcircus.com">Three Ring Circus</a>.<br />
<script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=14768"></script></p>
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string(3890) "<p>Yesterday, my son turned four.</p>
<p>When my daughter was little, birthdays meant huge parties. Invitations went out, food was prepared, decorations were hung–all in the name of birthday. Forty friends and family showed up to eat and watch a little child open presents. Only usually, the kids would get to fussing and fighting and someone would get in trouble, and then there were tears and sobs…all to celebrate a milestone for a toddler.</p>
<p>Jack is different.</p>
<p>When I woke him up yesterday, I breathed in his smell. He still <em>smelled</em> like my little man. Nothing had changed there. He looked the same. He grinned at me. He didn’t even know it was his birthday.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was born in a hospital.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he was intubated and rushed to another hospital to spend time in the NICU.</p>
<p>Four years ago, no one held his hand.</p>
<p>Four years ago, he tested positive for cocaine.</p>
<p>Four years ago, I didn’t know him.</p>
<p>This guy has overcome so much to be four. His body may not work the way that anyone thinks it should, but it works. His brain may not process what it should sometimes, but he can say “Momma.” His lungs may not be strong enough for him to tackle Mount Everest, but he breathes.</p>
<p>And with each breath, each “Momma,” and each tenuous step…I thank God that I was chosen to mother such a special little person.</p>
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