Blake at the mall-final story

[Guest guest]

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)

However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff.

Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

Educate educate educate!!!!!Sent from my iPhone

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)

However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff.

Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

Ultimately speaking with the guards and enlightening them is the best resolution to this problem. The fact is, if we are to be frank, most people who are not effected directly by Autism, react in ways that we, as loving parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists and friends, find offensive and ignorant. If we are to be really truthful with ourselves, WE didn't act with the compassion and understanding to those in our shoes prior to being directly involved. It kind of reminds me of what it was like before I was a Mom, when flying. I would take my seat on the plane and just PRAY as the other passengers boarded that the woman with the 3 crying kids weren't sitting next to me. When I became that Mother, well, you know the rest.

I am a big believer in education of children about how different brains work. I have actually been trying to develop a program that could be presented to children in public schools in the lower grades. If people learn early on the whys of behaviors, they will not be fearful of it, nor make fun of it. If you were moved by Blake's story, perhaps you may like to work with me on this project. Together, we may move mountains in the area of acceptance and celebration of differences.

With respect and admiration, as always, for those putting the puzzle together one piece at a time,

s Mahler

To: sList Sent: Fri, December 24, 2010 3:53:44 PMSubject: Blake at the mall-final story

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to

them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff. Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

You are definitely handling this situation with class and dignity. You go give those guards and education and by doing so you will be making this world a little safer for our children. Thank you for that. I would like to know what mall it is we are talking about, any chance you are willing to share that info with us?

Blake at the mall-final story

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)

However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff.

Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

I agree with . You are a awesome mom and an amazing advocate for autism. Thanks for providing more education.

To: sList Sent: Fri, December 24, 2010 9:25:41 PMSubject: Re: Blake at the mall-final story

You are definitely handling this situation with class and dignity. You go give those guards and education and by doing so you will be making this world a little safer for our children. Thank you for that. I would like to know what mall it is we are talking about, any chance you are willing to share that info with us?

Blake at the mall-final story

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to

them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff. Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

There are programs for children...I find people don’t want to implement or do one more thing, one more program.

The SOS, Social Skills in Our Schools program is really good. I try to take activities from it to teach counselors how to implement it more naturally, though getting a school to implement an entire program would be an amazing feat. This incorporates the entire school, includes trainings for the teachers, staff and kids and is a year round program.

Another shorter program, activity idea is from Carol Gray. It’s called The Sixth Sense and it is specifically to implement in classrooms by the teachers. This takes about an hour and a half.

Both can be purchased on Amazon. It is recommended to develop good relationships with counselors and teachers and administrators and provide them with these books and show them how to use them.

That’s what I’ve been trying to do in Dade. I’ve provided these books to my son’s school. They have yet to crack the binder.... But, in their defense, they do a pretty good job at including our kids and have a school wide embedded character program already in place.

From: brooke daniels

Sent: Friday, December 24, 2010 8:49 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Blake at the mall-final story

Ultimately speaking with the guards and enlightening them is the best resolution to this problem. The fact is, if we are to be frank, most people who are not effected directly by Autism, react in ways that we, as loving parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists and friends, find offensive and ignorant. If we are to be really truthful with ourselves, WE didn't act with the compassion and understanding to those in our shoes prior to being directly involved. It kind of reminds me of what it was like before I was a Mom, when flying. I would take my seat on the plane and just PRAY as the other passengers boarded that the woman with the 3 crying kids weren't sitting next to me. When I became that Mother, well, you know the rest.

I am a big believer in education of children about how different brains work. I have actually been trying to develop a program that could be presented to children in public schools in the lower grades. If people learn early on the whys of behaviors, they will not be fearful of it, nor make fun of it. If you were moved by Blake's story, perhaps you may like to work with me on this project. Together, we may move mountains in the area of acceptance and celebration of differences.

With respect and admiration, as always, for those putting the puzzle together one piece at a time,

s Mahler

To: sList Sent: Fri, December 24, 2010 3:53:44 PMSubject: Blake at the mall-final story

So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said "you need to take him home" and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff. Happy holidays

[Guest guest]

Hi ,I agree with your sentiments on this … frustrating circumstance but perfect opportunity to effect change in a positive way.  I am curious about your project as I too would like to create awareness and understanding at a young age. I wrote a book that looks to share about ASD  sensitivity and awareness and have already read it in a classroom,  I plan on creating a small curriculum to match (when I have the time  J)  Would love to learn more about your ideas. From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of brooke danielsSent: Friday, December 24, 2010 8:50 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Blake at the mall-final story Ultimately speaking with the guards and enlightening them is the best resolution to this problem. The fact is, if we are to be frank, most people who are not effected directly by Autism, react in ways that we, as loving parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists and friends, find offensive and ignorant. If we are to be really truthful with ourselves, WE didn't act with the compassion and understanding to those in our shoes prior to being directly involved. It kind of reminds me of what it was like before I was a Mom, when flying. I would take my seat on the plane and just PRAY as the other passengers boarded that the woman with the 3 crying kids weren't sitting next to me. When I became that Mother, well, you know the rest. I am a big believer in education of children about how different brains work. I have actually been trying to develop a program that could be presented to children in public schools in the lower grades. If people learn early on the whys of behaviors, they will not be fearful of it, nor make fun of it. If you were moved by Blake's story, perhaps you may like to work with me on this project. Together, we may move mountains in the area of acceptance and celebration of differences. With respect and admiration, as always, for those putting the puzzle together one piece at a time, s Mahler To: sList Sent: Fri, December 24, 2010 3:53:44 PMSubject: Blake at the mall-final story So after I hounded him all week, the security director of the mall finally did an investigation and figured out which guard was the one that told my caregiver to take Blake home. However, the guard is denying it, so there really isn't anything I can do. My caregiver is insisting that he said " you need to take him home " and the guard says he just suggested that they move into a different area of the mall. So who do you believe? ly, I believe my caregiver since a few months ago it happened at the same mall, and I was the one with Blake at the time. The guard said that we would need to leave if Blake didn't quiet down. (at that time, it was a quiet day at the mall so Blake's verbal stims really stood out.)However, the security director admits that his guards need some education, so he is asking me to come to their quarterly in-service and speak to them. So in the spirit of the holidays, I agreed to drop the issue and to come to speak to their staff. Happy holidays