News flash: A six year old boy charged with felony

I have read this and cringed. I had to let the world know
about this ridiculous case.

Dallas. A six year old boy with autism has been placed
at school without needed aid and support. Having many
issues including behavioural, hypersensitivities and of
course communication, no wonder he found it frustrating
and could not conform to the "norm".

He was restrained. How?
A 200 lb man SAT ON HIM!!!

Result: the poor boy bit him. And now faces charges of felony...

This is a link to the Facebook group who are trying to petition
the authorities to drop the charges . Please join if you care:
HELP NOW for DALLAS Obanion

Valentines Day and tears...

I know what you are thinking. The same as me if
I read this title: " no one loves me... boo hoo!"
No. Actually, exactly opposite...

You see, this year, my husband, decided to order
flowers and a Valentine card from "a secret admirer"
for Cirwen. He thought she will like it and won't feel
a freak if she was to be the only one from her friends
without a card. I thought it was a really sweet idea.

The flowers came when we were all out, and were
picked up by a friend, who temporarily stays with us.
Cirwen found them and the card with simple "be my
Valentine" message in the kitchen.... and burst in
tears!

I, of course, sat her down and asked what was the matter.
She didn't want to be any one's Valentine, she doesn't want
to have a boyfriend and it felt "too grown up".
Cirwen was so upset by this, that in the end Daddy had
to confess to the whole idea. We explained that, it was
only to make her smile and to tell her that Daddy loves his
daughter.

So here we are. A seemingly innocent gesture turned into
a disaster. Cirwen often expresses her fear of growing up.
With this comes also a fear of the fact, that peers will
expect her to have a relationship. An idea of a boyfriend,
to her, means a lot of uncomfortable things: physical contact,
closeness, a threat to her personal space... Well, she is only
11 and I'm happy she is not looking for boyfriends, however
I really did not expect such a strong reaction...

Thankfully, she accepted the flowers, but the card went into the bin.

On a happier note

Not all lately is such in such a bad state.
There are good news..

Good news No.1
The Academy's Winter showcase was such a success,
that the governors fished out more funding for the
Spring showcase. This will be staged in the school's new
theatre, so the excitement is even higher! (this year
we expect the completion of the new school building).
Cirwen will again take part in the production of the
drama club.

Good news No.2
Cirwen's Learning Mentor has informed me, that she
has nominated my daughter for the Best Achiever Award.
This award is given between 13 of existing in UK Oasis
Academies. My heart grew, when the teacher said, that
she wants Cirwen to be nominated, because she has
improved academically, socially and emotionally in such
a short time despite her Autistic nature and despite the
bullying.

Whether she will be awarded that is another question,
and time will show. I however, am happy and proud
that she at least made it to the nomination.

International Conference

On 26th of March 2010, The International Autism Conference
will take place in Malta.

It's focus will be "New thinking in Autism". It will be attended
by professionals and charity activists, who will be able to discuss
the new policies and ideas of fighting for the well being of people
with Autism around the world.

Read more on:
http://www.autismmalta.org/#

Some trouble, some frustration

Here we go.

School started only 3 weeks ago with a few days off
because British can't work when it's snowing.

(but snow is not the subject here, nor the inability to
cope in winter)

We got two bullies down, two to go.

The school is very cooperative, although it takes time.
Cirwen has toughened up. She manages to ignore the
teasing comments every day, now.

The last two days I spend on the phone to school trying to
speak to someone. Due to Ofsted visit I managed to talk to
Cirwen's Learning Mentor yesterday. There I found, that
one of the girls has been expelled for bullying not only my
daughter.

Another hopelessly long process is filing for re-assessment
of Cirwen's needs. The SEN-co, is talking to relevant LEA
(Local Education Authority), who has to approve this motion.
Even the teacher sounded slightly frustrated, that after 3 months,
she still has no approval. There are two more children
on the autistic spectrum in need of that...

Well, as much as I felt disappointed for the lack of details, or action,
I could not blame the teacher. The system is as frustratingly
soulless to the professionals as to us parents.

sooo we're waiting, waiting, waiting... hoping...

Autistic gift

It is said that autistic people are either expert or savants
in one particular field. Savant is a rare phenomenon, although
seen in low functioning autistic people as well as those more
able.

I think the reason for that is because autistic children and
adults are obsessive, therefore they gain as much information
as possible on a chosen subject. In other cases, they are simply
talented.

I think I have discovered Cirwen's love for words. This is
a piece of her recent homework, where she was supposed to write
what she thinks will happen next in a book the class is currently
reading.

I am quite impressed with the style of this little piece. Tell me what
you think, but don't forget she's 11, and I don't think she's a genius :-)
I think there is a potential...


Continuing the story called Jake's Tower...

Last time when Jake went to the zoo with his mum and Steve, a little cheeky
monkey peed on Steve. Jake laughed so much that Steve got angry... and then
had beaten up poor young Jake... So he ran away with his mum....

Now Jake and his mum were rushing to the bus.
“Hello Marie” said a voice. Mum remained in silence completely ignoring
the fact that an old enemy was on the bus too.
Mum turned round in shock “What are you doing here!?”mum cried,
“Tut tut Marie you know who I am. Y’now it’s me Chelsea, don’t you
remember?” Chelsea snorted. She took one look at Jake’s beaten face.
“well well well who is this ugly brute?” asked Chelsea. “Leave us alone! “
said mum.

Once they got off the bus mum whispered “I hope your grandma Mrs.
Judd actually lets us in the warmth! She has to! She owes us big time
for getting your dad Danny against me! Jake knocked on the door “hello?”
said Jake worryingly. The door opened with a horrible sound like
a person screaming in the doorway. “C’mon Jake lets go. Don’t be afraid!”
whispered mum comfortingly. The two of them stepped into the house.
“BANG! CRASH! BOOM!” a voice cried. Mum gasped in shock. “Mrs Judd?
Were are you!?” mum called out. Then a fat big old lady came from
the distance. “WHAT DO YOU WANT!?” cried Mrs. Judd. “we wanted to
get some shelter” Jake whimpered. Mrs. Judd snorted.”All right come in then”
Jake was so happy he even hugged Mrs Judd. They all sat down and
had some tea.
By Cirwen!

New Year - New Hope

Happy New Year my dear friends and future friends.
I haven't been here for a long time. Too long...

Cirwen's emotional problems, bullying, pre-Christmas
run-around and a strain of flu from one family member
to another took their toll. I was too tired to read or write.
If I was a hypochondriac I would have thought I was
narcoleptic :-)

However, I am pleased the year 2009 finished on a good
note.

After an violent incident on the way from school, when
Cirwen was attacked and kicked by another girl, things
have been dealt with swiftly. A parent of another child
saw what happened and called the school. 15 minutes
after my daughter came back home, I received a phone call
from the Head of the Year 7 asking about Cirwen's well
being and for her to submit the statement to him first
thing in the morning. Apparently the girl was already
a major concern at the Academy.

Cirwen, as frightened and upset she was, went to school
the next day and made the statement. Obviously she
was advised to stay away from the girl as much as possible.
Since then, apart from an odd teasing remarks, nothing
as horrible happened.

My beautiful girl took part in the Academy Winter Showcase
taking major part in their Christmas performance. She glowed,
her voice rang when she recited the poem, her movement was
flawless. Both her dad and me were proud as proud could be!
we spoke to the drama teacher who told us that Cirwen is now
the "resident member" of the drama club and she's not allowed
to leave until she leaves the Academy.

Not that Cirwen would like to anyway. I have found that drama,
which she really enjoys, helps her understand the emotions and
feelings, or how to deal with some situations. She began to deal with
teasing in a much calmer manner. The howling and running out
of the classroom has stopped, and she started to enjoy going to
school again. I think it might have helped that she made many
good friends with older pupils at the drama club as well.

Well, that's the best news so far. It doesn't mean the fight is over.
It means we can do this. It means provided the right support from
school and members of the community, we can stop bullying.
She/he probably will never read this, but I would like to say a deep,
heartfelt THANK YOU, to the mum or dad I don't even know,
who called and reported the incident at the bus stop that day.
People like you make a Difference. Thank you.