Vacation Hurrahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the big day! My vacation begins!!!!! Yahooo!!!! I'll post photos as soon as I return! ;-) Happy of fourth of July all!

In Autism News. . . two

Although this does not specifically relate to Autism, it does relate to some legislation that WI is working on regarding restraining children.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - A 7-year-old girl who suffocated during a control hold at a northwest Wisconsin counseling center had been similarly restrained eight other times, according to a state agency.

Angellika Arndt, of Ladysmith, died May 26 at Children's Hospital & Clinics of Minnesota in Minneapolis, a day after police were called to the Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic in Rice Lake on a report that she was unresponsive. Arndt was a patient at the clinic and had been restrained by staff members for behavioral issues, police said.

Arndt died from complications of chest compression, which caused lack of air from a restraint hold she was placed in by staff members, Barron County District Attorney Angela Holmstrom has said.

The state Department of Health and Family Services investigated and found that staff restrained Arndt nine times for one to two hours, according to its report released last week.
She had been put in a hold for "gargling milk" a day before her death, according the report. Besides the nine holds, the report said the girl was put in 18 "timeouts" within 31 days.
"There's a lot of things that just don't sit right with me," said Rick Pelishek, director of Disability Rights Wisconsin's northwest chapter office in Rice Lake.

The advocacy group is also investigating and Pelishek said he's talking to previous doctors and getting records to see if Arndt really needed to be restrained. A statement from the president of Northwest Counseling and Guidance's board of directors, Denison Tucker, said he is concerned that there are "errors of fact, incomplete context and misapplications of statute references" in the state's report.

Tucker said center staff will meet with agency next week with more data and documents.
The agency's investigation is continuing, said Sandy Rowe, the state department's deputy chief legal counsel.
After the center submits its plan of correction within a month, Rowe said the state would visit the center and then determine if the facility should be closed.
The agency has since ordered all control holds stopped at the center except in extreme emergencies.
No charges against center staff have been filed yet, but Holmstrom said she has started to review several police reports about Arndt's death.

She doesn't anticipate making a decision on whether to file charges until at least mid-July.
The girl, whom friends and family called "Angie," was born in Milwaukee. She became a ward of the state and was placed in the Rusk County foster home of Dan and Donna Pavlik in January 2005.

She was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder, mood disorder and attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder, according to the state's report.
The Pavliks have declined to comment.

The Lion in the House

Cancer has affected my life because of the loss of my Mom. I have dealt with her loss in a constructive manner--volunteering for Angel on My Shoulder, a cancer support organization. When I saw PBS's A Lion In The House,I couldn't help but bawl like a baby. Even the most stoic person would be affected by this documentary. It was so tough watching my mom wither away, but I could never imagine what it must be like to go through that with your own children.

The hitch-hiker

So I'm cruising down Stewart Avenue toward my home the other day and what do I see standing on the corner of Stewart and 24th? A hitch-hiker. I have mixed feelings about these folks. I almost always have this internal battle with myself--pick them up or not?? I know that many people say absolutely NOT. No picking up hitch hikers--it's dangerous! But part of me sees the good in EVERYONE and then I feel like I am the one who is "bad" because I'm not helping someone out who needs it. I was raised to help others. It's in my blood now. So. . .when did helping a hitch hiker cross the line from good deed to dangerous deed?

Tuesday Night Book Club and Rachael's Rotten Day

Okay--so have you seen it? There is a new show on CBS called The Tuesday Night Book Club, which is cleverly, on Tuesday nights. I was captivated by this show. Not so much by the women's stories and their relationship issues, but the way that these women all connect.

I had a bit of a revelation. I do not have close women friends like that. Many of my friends are far away or acquaintances from work. Lots of my friends are male but I don't really go out with them. I spend a lot of my time doing things alone, which I will admit, I REALLY like or with David, which, of course, I really like. Watching the show made me feel like I am missing something by not having that commadarie with women.

I mean, poor David! After watching the show I realized how much time he spends listening (or at least doing a very good job appearing to listen) to me talk about: getting my hair done, getting a facial, massage, or manicure, getting a spray tan, shoes, handbags, and other "girlie" stuff in general.

This is part of why I NEED to work on my relationships with my female friends. I truly believe that my relationship with David would be MUCH better if I didn't bog him down with that trivial stuff. Now, don't get me wrong. He has NEVER complained about listening to this. I was more of a tom-boy when we met so he probably appreciates the fact that I have become a bit of a girlie-girl, but I don't really need to give him the play-by-play!

So--I vow to start working on being a better friend to my friends. ;-)

UP NEXT:

THE NO GOOD (EXCEPT THAT IT'S A LEARNING EXPERIENCE) HORRIBLE ROTTEN DAY. . . .

Well, maybe I exaggerated a little. The whole day wasn't aweful. In fact it started out really well. I had a nice chat with some folks at Gellato Cafe about teaching and learning an such. That was a good thing. Picked up some VERY cute shoes on clearance for vacation. That also was a good thing. I got some clarification about work's new travel policy and helped calm an upset therapist. Both very good things.

I got to have lunch inbetween a client's summer school sessions and this is where the bad day begins. I found out (after the fact) that proceedures regarding us being in school were not followed correctly (which I did not know about) and then found out that the client's classroom teacher felt threatened and like I was telling her what to do in class (I was not). The procedure thing was a learning experience--so that made it a good thing. I am now VERY clear on the producer for bringing therpapists into school and collaborating with school.

What I am unclear about, and hope to get clarification tomorrow, is how I made another person feel threated and as though I were critiquing her. After all, aren't well all here to HELP a child? I hope that I am able to talk with the teacher and find out how I made her feel that way. That certainly was NEVER my intent. The strange thing: I never got the notion that she was upset about anything. She was very nice to me to my face and it seemed like a very good meeting.

Any way. . .I behaved so unprofessionally when I spoke with my boss and my boss's boss. I couldn't believe it but I CRIED and got all emotional. It was such a strange reaction to have. I wasn't upset about the policy thing I was upset that I caused a rift in an already tense relationship between this school and our organization. I could have undone months of work done by other seniors to gain school's cooperation thus far. Time will tell, I guess.

Only this could make me laugh today! I will survive alien

In Autism News. . . .

It breaks my heart to see the abuse that some children with Autism are forced to endure. . .
Boy taught in cupboard

On a postive note, here is something really neat-o. Yes I said 'really.' It's become a professional term now, you know! hahahaha. Check this out! Friend Finder

So--it's been awhile. Yes, I've gone from 4 posts in one day to one every few weeks. . . .Life is catching up with me again. Right now I'm trying to get my life organized. I'm taking a course in curriculum right now, managing a case load of three (and hoping to get more cases SOON), and trying to fit in that important stuff like exercise and spending time with my guy. Life is BUSY! Anyway one of the exciting things going on is getting ready for my vacation at the end of the month. David and I are taking a small vacation and going up "nort," as we say here in WI. We're going to spend one day in Bayfield and two days over in the Superior/Duluth area. It will be a nice little get-away, that's for sure. I'll take LOTs of photos and post them when I return!

Tuesday's storm

On Tuesday, we had a fantastic bit of rain. Not really a storm, but more small down pours here and there. As I was driving home from Family Lit I stopped and took some photos. This one at the top of the page is right outside of Plainfield, WI (yes. . . . . .the home of Ed Gean --I might as well just say it because I know you are going to ask!!). The one posted at the bottom is north of Plainfield about 15 on why 51/I 39. I love how you can see the spots where the torrential rain is occurring surrounded by clear (ish) sky!

My legs are not as thick as yours?!?!!

My legs are not as thick as yours. . . .these are words that a gal DOES NOT, I repeat, does NOT want to hear from her man. There is NEVER a time when that phrase, no matter how innocently it was spoken, sounds good. It will ALWAYS be taken out of context! It's really sort of sad and pathetic because he was trying to show me where a spot on his knee hurts; and instead of feeling bad that his knee hurts all I can think about is the offending comment! I start feeling around on my knee and say, "right here?" and then he reaches over and tries to find the spot on my apparently fat knee. He can't find it and then says, "hmm. . .my legs are not as thick as yours!?!" Anyhoo. . enough about my hangups!

Hope you all had an excellent Memorial Day. Mine was relaxing overall. I put together a shelf so that I could organize my "office" (i.e. back portion of the living room because we can not afford a two bedroom) at little better. I am pretty proud of myself. I'm not much of a handy person but I followed the directions and put this thing together pretty easily. I feel very accomplished!

I also spent a good portion of my holiday weekend looking at handbags on the internet. Yes--I truely have become a girly-girl. I will openly admit, that I have a bit of an obsession with hand bags. I know it is a very materialistic and superficial obsession, but I LOVE them. So. . . . .I spent a lot of time looking at VERY expensive bags that I will probably never buy because I am too damned cheap to spend the money on a really nice bag!!!

Let's see what else happend in my neck of the woods??? Oh--blistering heat. Only in Wisconsin could we have snow a week earlier and then 90 degree weather the next! I swear, WI has multiple personalities!

This week is the last week at family literacy. It is going to be a sad next couple of days. But--this is a good thing for me. I'll be able to add more hours with the new job and hopefully get more cases. I'm up to three right now and I am really enjoying myself. Each child that I work with is so different from the next. I really value my time with each and every one of them. I learn so much from them!

This week also marks the start of a new class. Curriculum and Instruction--this is one of the core classes for my Masters. I think I'll enjoy it. I'll let you know.

I feel pretty. . .I feel pretty!!!!!

Today has been a GREAT Saturday so far. I started my morning with a run--and a successful run at that! NO knee pain what so ever. What did the trick? Well--I took out those pesky new insoles that I bought along with my VERY (OVERLY) expensive running shoes!!! Who would have thunk it???

Anyway--I went out for a little breakfast and then got my hair highlighted. I never would have imagined how great I would feel after getting blonde highlights put in. I must have a perma grin or something because people are smiling at me when I approach. . . . .maybe blondes do have some sort of secret power that I didn't know about!!!! I'm only highlighted blonde, but it really lightens my whole head of hair up. I love it. . . .who knows, maybe I'll go COMPLETELY blonde next time!!!! Then to top my morning off, I got a very pretty pedicure and had some lunch at my favorite spot, Gelato Cafe. ;-)

So, yes, I had a completely shallow day. Know what? I loved every minute of it. I relaxed. I felt good about myself when I was done. I booked an appointment next month for a facial and another pedicure.

Ladies--be vain once in awhile. Don't let anyone tell you that you shouldn't. Or that it's silly or that we are conforming to some unrealistic standard. Because you know what? Feeling pretty is pretty and somehow when you feel pretty others can see it and they react to it. So--I feel pretty today, darn it!

Even Start Family Literacy

Yesterday was a SAD day at family lit. It was the last day with my morning group. We had a pool party, which was fun, but it was sad to see everyone go. My time with family literacy is winding down--only two weeks left. I look back and wonder how can our current government believe that programs like this are NOT beneficial and why they are being slated for budget cuts.

Thankfully, Wautoma is a pretty community minded town. It looks like many of the organizations that were our partners are going to help keep some type of family literacy program running there. It won't look anything remotely like what is there currently, but at least there will be something.

Family literacy programs are about helping families break the poverty cycle and become self suffient. They are about developing family unity and helping children "do better" in school (in quotes because "do better" currently means score higher on tests with no child left behind in effect). These are worth while programs--please support them in your communites!

DPI EVEN START PAGE

Here is our most current legislative update. . .
Subject: Legislative update - Platts-Simmons and Miller-Kildee letters sent to committee 5-12-06
National Even Start Association Legislative Update May 16, 2006

URGENT ACTION NEEDED
The Platts-Simmons and Miller-Kildee “Dear Colleague” letters requesting that funding for Even Start be reinstated to the $225 million level were sent to the members of the House Appropriations Full and Subcommittees last week. The Platts-Simmons letter had 48 signatures and the Miller-Kildee letter had 66 signatures. Twenty-two Representatives signed both letters. Please check National Even Start Page to see if your Representatives are signers; if they are, please write a letter to thank them and encourage them to continue their support by talking with their colleagues on the House Appropriations subcommittee.

We anticipate that the markup of the Labor, HHS, Education bill in the House Subcommittee will take place on Wednesday, June 7th. This is less than one month away and includes a short break for the Memorial Day holiday. The Memorial Day break (May 27th thru June 5) could give constituents time to impact Members while they are in their home Districts.

The Full Committee markup of the bill is scheduled for Tuesday, June 13 with House Floor action tentatively set for Wednesday and Thursday, June 21 and 22. The House has not reached agreement on an overall budget, so this deadline may not be met because of conflicts over funding.

With all 435 House seats up for re-election in November, it is a critical time for Even Start practitioners, partners and collaborators to inform their Congressional leaders about the impact of Even Start in their communities and the impact the cuts to this year’s budget will have on services to families. Please invite them to visit your programs and talk with your families. We cannot assume that we have their support; we must make sure each member of the House has adequate information about Even Start to make an informed decision about the funding of this program.

NOW IS THE TIME!!! Together we can make a difference!
Susan C. Henry CEO

The horses

One of the things I loved about moving from the suburbs of Indiana to rural Wisconsin, was HORSES! I spent much of my middle years raising, showing, and riding horses. I look forward to the day when I can spend time with these wonderful creatures again.

Images of my life

I have had a few surreal visits home to the family farm. Dad and Ann sold the farm to my younger brother and they are moving to the back portion of the farm--about three miles deep into the woods. They are very excited, but all this packing has been a bit surreal to me. Although I no longer live on the farm, I have a lot of memories wrapped up in it. Last Friday, Dad gave me a huge box of photos. I've decided to post my favorites and the stories behind them.

This first photo is of my Grandma King. She was one of the first women of her time to own a gas station. She also, so my Dad tells me, illegally ran a bar out of her basement for a period of time! She is my Mom's mother and lived with my family for a several years.

The second photo my Dad and Mom not long after we moved to Wisconsin. This was many yearsbefore cancer took hold and affected our lives. The next two photos are closer to my mom's death. It's amazing how much she looked like my Grandmother.



It's even more amazing how much I look like both of them.

Good Talk Radio

I'll be the first to admit that I am a talk radio "geek." At least that's what my friends tell me. This post is dedicated to my favorite talk radio shows.

A Balanced Breakfast with Ian and Margery. This show is a morning show in the FM 107 line up. Ian and Margery cover all sorts of topics and never fail to keep me amused. Unfortunately, I no longer live in the Twin Cities area, so I have to catch this show on the internet when I can (which isn't often). When this was the show in the 5-9 am slot, I would listen as I drove to school placement while in college. I miss waking up to these two!

The Drivetime Divas--Lori and Julia This is another great FM 107 show that I miss dearly. Once again, I only catch it when I'm at the computer at the right time. Lori and Julia cover everything from great fashion to men to what's happening in Hollywood. These were the ladies that I listened to on my way home from my school placement.

Bob and Sherri. Bob and Sherri are great. They are syndicated so I am able to catch them every morning. Somehow, I am able to relate to both of them, although their movie critic, Lamar is my favorite guy there! Bob and Sherri are really funny, but have their serious moments too!

Okay. . now we get to the public radio stuff. . .

Dr. Zorba This is a WPR (wi. public radio) show and covers all things related to health. It is both funny and informational!

This American Life Okay, this is the one show, out of all of these, that I am actually addicted to. I rarely catch it when it's on, but I can listen to the episode from the previous week because they are all archived on line. I have listened to EVERY archived show that is on their website. Yes all of them. I love the way the music moves each story along. . .and then I imagine which music they would use if they were telling my story and wanted to move it along. . . . .

Car Talk This is another one of those funny but useful shows. I don't know what it says about me, but I have learned ALOT by listening to that show! ;-)

So. . .give these shows a listen. They're funny. They're relevant (to me anyway). You might just learn something.

Not Post Secret, but pretty darn fun

4x today. . . .hmm. . .could it be that I have no personal life? Or have I become addicted to not only blogging, but reading about everyone else's life too?

This is sort along the lines of post secret. . except instead of a secret you send in a list. Very cool. Very cool indeed. To Do List

And look. . my first week with the new blog and I've already broken every rule! I'm the anti-blogger I guess! ;-) How Not to Write a Blog And more rules that I am breaking. Rules of Blogging And even more. . . More Rules that I have broken. I am facinated that there are so many rules for something that is supposed to be so freeing. Hmm. . .does that mean that really deep down we all want rules even when we think we don't?

Post Secret. . .

Well you can all see how busy I am at work today. Three blog postings in one day--a little rediculous don't you think?! So. . .I am obsessed with Post Secret. Have any of you been there? I check it every week, salivating as I read each person's secret. Try it. You'll see. You'll be there every week too. . . . . .

I'm not the only one. . . here are other sites dedicated to the discussion of post secret.
Zephoria
Brewed Fresh Daily

There's even a copy-cat post secret! Rotten Tomatoes Post Secret

My very favorite therapy toys

As a therapist, I tend to be armed with some pretty nifty toys at all times. In fact, I actually have a bag of toys that stays in my car all the time. My boyfriend, David, thinks this is a little nutty. In fact, he cannot fathom why on earth I would spend my good hard earned money on more toys for work. My Dad, on the other hand, seems to appreciate the fact that I often have some type of squishy, gooey, or visually exciting toy floating around in my car. So, I have decided that I should share some of my very favorites. All toys are linked directly to where you could purchase them.

For children who like visual things (like spinning, lights, etc).
Ocean toy
Light Up Spinning Globe
Light Chaser
Fiber Optic Toy
I also have a light up bubble blower--I bought it at Wal-mart and cannot find a picture of it.

For children who like squishy toys
Smiley Face Ball
Glitter Bead Ball
Inside out Ball
An example of sticky strechy toys

For children who like to pull
Tangle
Pop Tubes

There are many many more toys I would like to add, but I would be here all day writing! Here are some catalogs that I order from:

Nasco Special Education
Abilitations
Autism Shop
Oriental Trading Company

Autism Resources and Blogs I like

Here are some Autism resources and blogs that I appreciate.

Autism Society
The Floortime Foundation
Sensory Integration Stuff
Blog--Autism Land
Blog--Living with Autism
RDI Connect
Center for the Study of Autism
Autism Today

Time magazine article

I was very pleased to find a nice article in Time magazine highlighting the differences between an ABA intensive program and a DIR program for therapy. I enjoyed the article because my previous work was in an intestive ABA program and now I work in DIR model program. I enjoyed the ABA program, but I REALLY enjoy this program. I feel like I am able to focus on the child as a person first, not just a body full of "behaviors."

Here is a link to the Time article: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191852,00.html