Nicole Caldwell

Denton, TX

Special Education Teacher (Autism)

http://www.PositivelyAutism.com

Nicole signed the petition | almost 3 years ago

Oppose the use of alarmist rhetoric about autism
Nicole signed the petition | almost 3 years ago

End the Perpetuation of Pity
Nicole commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

The Bottom Line vs. the Best Education

I hope this does serve as a motivator to help schools make great educational programs for children with Autism. In addition to the extra staff you mentioned will be needed, the biggest area of need will be teacher training and support.

Fortunately, there are lots of resources now available for teachers. http://www.iKeepBookmarks.com/Best_Autism_Sites_for_Teachers has tons of free printable materials, games, articles, and lesson plans. It also has links to free training videos.

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed.
http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
Autism Support and Resources
Nicole commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

Easter Seals Living with Autism Survey

Could this be a product of negative perceptions about children's futures in general?

I found it odd that only 65% of parents of typically developing children thought that their children would be able to make their own life decisions and only 57% thought that their children would have friends in the community. Did I read this correctly?

I strongly believe in the abilities of my students, and try to prepare them for the most independent future possible without setting limits for them in my mind. Maybe we need to examine why we think the future looks bleak for ALL kids, not just our kids with Autism.

Thanks for posting this Dora. As you mentioned, I would also be interested in reading a similar survey done of adults with Autism.

John, you posted, "I'm glad the Easter Seals have brought this facts and concerns into the view of the NT world. However, when I contacted my local chapter to see what programs they actually had to help families. Well, let's just say it's still just a lot of fluff and no substance."

I know that each location is different, but our local chapter of Easter Seals offers ABA, speech, OT, and physical therapy, as well as other services.

Thanks for the interesting discussion!

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed.
http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
Autism Support and Resource
Nicole commented on the article | almost 3 years ago

A Resource for Transitioning to College

Thanks for the link! That sounds like a helpful website.

May I also suggest the following:

Transition Matters Resource Page: http://www.transitionmatters.org/

College and Autism: http://www.positivelyautism.com/volume3_issue04/
Nicole commented on the article | about 3 years ago

Why Working Out, Works out

I agree that sports are really important for all kids to keep in shape and feel their best. I work at an inclusive private school that has a basketball team open to all of the students. I'm hoping to obtain some grant money to expand and improve the program. It's really wonderful to see all of the kids playing the sport together.

I also wanted to share some resources for sports for kids with Autism:

Positively Autism Newsletter: Issue on Sports and Autism
http://www.positivelyautism.com/volume2issue3/index.html

Visual Aides for Teaching Soccer http://autism.about.com/od/autismproductsguide/ss/soccerposters.htm

Social Stories for Soccer and Basketball
http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/toc-sports.html
Nicole commented on the article | about 3 years ago

Top 10 Books and Websites

Other great websites:

Dr. Paula Kluth (Autism and Education/Inclusion) - http://www.PaulaKluth.com

Do 2 Learn (Educational Games and Materials) - http://www.do2learn.com

PositivelyAutism (Free Autism Newsletter and Printables Games, Flash Cards, and Data Sheets) - http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
Nicole commented on the article | about 3 years ago

Different? You Don't Have Our Vote

Quoting the blog post: "It's the fear that leads people to yearn to 'fit in' and be 'normal.' As a parent, it can be painful to see your child excluded, or mocked, or bullied, just because he is who he is. Why not, then, seek to make a child as 'undifferent' as possible, so he or she won't stand out, can fit in?"

I agree! I'm a teacher, and it seems when I'm helping my students with Autism with social skills instruction, that their "typical" peers often need it too!

While we want our students with Autism to learn how to have conversations, be polite, ask questions, etc., I think that all kids need to learn the social skills of being kind to others, treating people with respect, and valuing our differences.

I still feel so sorry for Alex and his family for their pain, and the other children in his class who did not learn kindness and respect that day.

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed.
http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/
Free Autism Newsletter and Resources for Parents and Teachers
Nicole commented on the article | about 3 years ago

Spec Ed Teacher Charged With Intentional Cruelty to Persons

While I don't agree with how this was handled by the teacher, it really doesn't seem like a criminal charge. If the child was hurting herself because she was irritated with the shirt, it seems logical to remove it. I know that many children with Autism have sensitivities to certain clothing. Of course, it really should have been done in private and she should have been given something else to wear, but I just don't see that the teacher was necessarily being intentionally cruel.

We really don't know exactly what happened, though, so my comments may not apply. I sincerely hope that the teacher meant no harm, and that this was just an isolated incident of bad judgement.

It just seems that, as an educator myself, teachers are put through so much stress worrying about every little action they make causing a lawsuit. I think that this kind of stress can only weaken our teaching ability, thus hurting the students' education.

Nicole Caldwell, M.Ed.
Editor of the Autism Newsletter at http://www.PositivelyAutism.com/