Country: Managua, Nicaragua
School/ Organizations/Center: Lincoln International Academy, Managua, Nicaragua
By Elayne Pearson, Special Needs Safety/Preparedness Specialist, CAS
More than one mother recently confided that getting her children ready to enter school with its fees, clothes, and required items was a real financial burden—and those students weren’t even in high school yet. I recalled those same September concerns years ago, knowing taxes were also due in November, and Christmas was just around the corner. With four amazing daughters, including Heidi (our beautiful daughter with Down syndrome and late-onset autism) my husband Rod and I felt so blessed, but our budget and stress levels were very stretched. With Heidi’s special needs for good quality vitamins/food, calming craniosacral therapy appointments each week, and educational toys and more – my motto, “keep it up!” served us well. Today’s parents can live this way, too, with some of our common sense advice.
By Brigid Rankowski
Once again, we are at the time of year that brings about so many mixed emotions for professionals in the education field; The beginning of a new school year. The smell of fresh markers, the sight of a completely clean classroom, a desk without piles of paperwork are all soon to be fleeting things as the momentum of the school year kicks things into high gear. For some educators who are taking on new positions or responsibilities this year, there may we waves of apprehension wondering how everything will manage to get done on time. Others who have been in the field for a while may wonder how they can incorporate new ideas into their lesson plans to keep students interested. There are so many different situations going on and everyone is different.
By Anita Lesko, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Autism Advocate, Author
I am a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for the past 27 years. I’ve been working full time ever since graduating from Columbia University in 1988 with my Master’s in Nurse Anesthesia. I specialize in anesthesia for neurosurgery, organ transplants, and orthopedic joint replacements. Oh, yes, there’s something else I’d like you to know! I’m autistic, and I didn’t even know this until I was fifty, yes, 50, when I “accidently” discovered it. I knew my entire life that I was different and never fit in. I knew that I had endless social obstacles, and a myriad of sensory issues that baffled me and often interfered with my daily life. I never had any early intervention of any kind. Nothing. My mom was my best friend, my sole support system, and my life coach. She enabled me to find my inner strength and accomplish all that I have done. My career literally forced me to interact with people, which was my “therapy!” I’ve done over 50,000 cases to date, and I’ve had over one million social interactions with operating room staff, patients, and families! I’m also an internationally published military aviation photojournalist, and have flown in military aircraft including an F-15 fighter jet!
By Lois Jean Brady, Author of Apps for Autism – www.itherapyllc.com
If you take my glasses away – I can’t read
If you encourage me – I still can’t read
If you give me a verbal model, I know what to say – but I still can’t read
If you give me cues or prompts, I have an idea of what to say – but I still can’t read
If you offer chips and skittles (reinforcers), I still won’t be able to read
If you test me, I will fail and be labeled illiterate or, worse, cognitively delayed
I may referred to resource or special education
If you give me my glasses
I can read!
By: Taveesha Guyton, Social Worker, Future CAS
In July, I was an attendee of the Autism Society National Conference held in the beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana. I am a social worker who specializes in working with the intellectually disabled and autism community. When the opportunity arose for me to not only go to New Orleans, a city I have admired for many years, but also attend a conference I professionally attached too, I became Super Man, “Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”!
IBCCES is excited to introduce Director of International Development, Alison Williams. In her role at IBCCES, Alison organizes international conferences, including the upcoming conference in September on teaching students with autism with our partner St. Andrew’s Autism Centre in Singapore. She additionally handles all international sales for global educators, international schools, and healthcare groups, working with the rest of the team at IBCCES and our partners around the world.
By Brigid Rankowski, Autism Advocate & National Speaker
For many professionals in the educational fields, the countdown to summertime has been going on for months. As the students yearn to be outside the classrooms, so do the educators long for a respite. However, when the classrooms are all packed up sometimes that’s the best opportunity to get some more work done. During the school year, it is difficult if not impossible to keep up to date on the newest books or educational tools while still maintaining the day to day operations. The free time allowed during the summer months can offer valuable time to reflect on the past year, prepare for the upcoming school year, and work on improving their skills working with disability community.