Fw: Broward - Autism Supports

[Guest guest]

----- Forwarded Message -----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 6:52 PMSubject: Broward - Autism Supports

Hello All,

Next Wednesday is the first ESE Advisory meeting for the new school year. Especially since we no longer have an active ACE (Autism Committee of ESE), I would highly suggest that the autism community become more of a presence at these meetings. It is important not just to share your concerns regarding your child’s education, but also for parents to stay up on decisions that are being made by the school district that will directly impact your children.

In years past there was a movement to provide specialized services and programs to students with autism. There was, at that time, a very active autism advocacy community. However, in the last couple of years there has been a decline in parent involvement as a group. Because of that, we’ve seen a decline in autism specific support staff. We once had:

Autism Inclusion Specialists

Area Elementary Autism Specialists

Area Secondary Autism Specialists

Autism Program Specialists

Autism Family Counselors

Zone Behavior Support

Full time Autism Curriculum Specialist

Autism Coaches

If your child attends an elementary autism cluster site, you still have the benefit of an autism coach. We still have an Autism Curriculum Specialist; however he has additional responsibilities outside of autism. We still have Counselors, although they are not specific to autism.

The district reports that there are teams that are in place for this school year to address concerns that arise and that there is a movement to train systemically on autism, as well as the other disabilities, in order to create a greater base of knowledgeable staff.

You must be active as a parent, and as a community, in order for systemic change to occur; especially in such trying economic times. Yes, there are budget issues, however our children generate additional funds to supplement their education.

Become an informed and proactive parent, instead of waiting for change to come about which may or may not be in favor of your child and their needs.

Best wishes for a successful school year,

Stacey

Stacey HoaglundFamily Support SpecialistFamily Network on Disabilities100 S s AveFt Lauderdale, FL 33301Office: Fax:

[Guest guest]

Bravo thank you Stacey for the remark. Sent from my iPadOmayra Matamoros, MHSA, JD

----- Forwarded Message -----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 6:52 PMSubject: Broward - Autism Supports

Hello All,

Next Wednesday is the first ESE Advisory meeting for the new school year. Especially since we no longer have an active ACE (Autism Committee of ESE), I would highly suggest that the autism community become more of a presence at these meetings. It is important not just to share your concerns regarding your child’s education, but also for parents to stay up on decisions that are being made by the school district that will directly impact your children.

In years past there was a movement to provide specialized services and programs to students with autism. There was, at that time, a very active autism advocacy community. However, in the last couple of years there has been a decline in parent involvement as a group. Because of that, we’ve seen a decline in autism specific support staff. We once had:

Autism Inclusion Specialists

Area Elementary Autism Specialists

Area Secondary Autism Specialists

Autism Program Specialists

Autism Family Counselors

Zone Behavior Support

Full time Autism Curriculum Specialist

Autism Coaches

If your child attends an elementary autism cluster site, you still have the benefit of an autism coach. We still have an Autism Curriculum Specialist; however he has additional responsibilities outside of autism. We still have Counselors, although they are not specific to autism.

The district reports that there are teams that are in place for this school year to address concerns that arise and that there is a movement to train systemically on autism, as well as the other disabilities, in order to create a greater base of knowledgeable staff.

You must be active as a parent, and as a community, in order for systemic change to occur; especially in such trying economic times. Yes, there are budget issues, however our children generate additional funds to supplement their education.

Become an informed and proactive parent, instead of waiting for change to come about which may or may not be in favor of your child and their needs.

Best wishes for a successful school year,

Stacey

Stacey HoaglundFamily Support SpecialistFamily Network on Disabilities100 S s AveFt Lauderdale, FL 33301Office: Fax:

[Guest guest]

Stacey,

the district and the schools have the last couple of years hired several persons who have little or no experience working with kids on the spectrum.. When a new cluster opened last year in south west Broward, the principal did not hire anyone from outside the school. The autism coach as well as the autism teachers in the cluster had absolutely no experiene working with autism before. In the north area the district used a woman who had many years of experience as a reading specialist step in as a autism program specialist. Parents and advocates should ask teacher, coaches and program specialists about their background. This is more imortat than anything.

LL

To: "sList " <sList >Sent: Friday, September 2, 2011 11:05 AMSubject: Re: Fw: Broward - Autism Supports

Bravo thank you Stacey for the remark. Sent from my iPad

Omayra Matamoros, MHSA, JD

----- Forwarded Message -----To: deniseslist@...Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2011 6:52 PMSubject: Broward - Autism Supports

Hello All,

Next Wednesday is the first ESE Advisory meeting for the new school year. Especially since we no longer have an active ACE (Autism Committee of ESE), I would highly suggest that the autism community become more of a presence at these meetings. It is important not just to share your concerns regarding your child’s education, but also for parents to stay up on decisions that are being made by the school district that will directly impact your children.

In years past there was a movement to provide specialized services and programs to students with autism. There was, at that time, a very active autism advocacy community. However, in the last couple of years there has been a decline in parent involvement as a group. Because of that, we’ve seen a decline in autism specific support staff. We once had:

Autism Inclusion Specialists

Area Elementary Autism Specialists

Area Secondary Autism Specialists

Autism Program Specialists

Autism Family Counselors

Zone Behavior Support

Full time Autism Curriculum Specialist

Autism Coaches

If your child attends an elementary autism cluster site, you still have the benefit of an autism coach. We still have an Autism Curriculum Specialist; however he has additional responsibilities outside of autism. We still have Counselors, although they are not specific to autism.

The district reports that there are teams that are in place for this school year to address concerns that arise and that there is a movement to train systemically on autism, as well as the other disabilities, in order to create a greater base of knowledgeable staff.

You must be active as a parent, and as a community, in order for systemic change to occur; especially in such trying economic times. Yes, there are budget issues, however our children generate additional funds to supplement their education.

Become an informed and proactive parent, instead of waiting for change to come about which may or may not be in favor of your child and their needs.

Best wishes for a successful school year,

Stacey

Stacey HoaglundFamily Support SpecialistFamily Network on Disabilities100 S s AveFt Lauderdale, FL 33301Office: Fax: