Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to do

[Guest guest]

I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:

Hi Pam

Happy Holidays

I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program

that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the

high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech

pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a

monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has

been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the

equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact

interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your

Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I

would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational

program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.

Give me a call to set up. I look forward to

hearing from you.

Sincerely

Herskowitz

President

National Autism Registry

So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was.

Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.

She hung up the phone on me.

Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will.

I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products.

What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:

pincus1@.... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!

Thanks

Herskowitz

[Guest guest]

I think it's a great ideas!!!! There is sooooo much for them to learn in cooking Measuring,social skills,waiting their turn,life skills,reading,gathering utensils, cleaning up, using the proper oven settings or maybe a microwave. I can go on and on. There is cooking in most of the autistic units in the Palm Beach schools.What are they cooking Grilled cheese, chicken nuggets some salad maybe some of the schools cook a little more.

I am going to email Pincus. this would be great in my sons school.

Thank you so much for caring

Marla

Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to do

I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:Hi PamHappy HolidaysI would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a programthat I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all thehigh school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speechpathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started amonthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It hasbeen a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all theequipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contactinterested parties in the community to assist us as well as yourPublic Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, Iwould like to see the program extend to a post high school vocationalprogram. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.Give me a call to set up. I look forward tohearing from you.Sincerely HerskowitzPresidentNational Autism RegistrySo what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was. Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.She hung up the phone on me. Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will. I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products. What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:pincus1@.... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!Thanks Herskowitz

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[Guest guest]

Hello ,

What you have encountered is the reality that the schools are all about the

administrators and teachers and the Districts and that the students are there to

serve their needs.

Take a look at any current school ESE policy and try and figure out if it's the

student's best interest, and if not who benefits. Here in Broward we have to

give 48 hrs notice to visit our children in their classroom, it's considered an

interruption by the District and the Teachers Union. It's not an interruption

when District personnel pop in, just parents.

You need to realize that they are the professionals, they know what your child

needs, and that you are just the " parent. " I actually had a public school ESE

" specialist " tell me once that " we know what your child needs; parents think

they know, but they don't, we do. "

Think about how these policies are developed. There is discussion between the

School Board, the Super, the Union, the Custodian, perhaps there will be an

" advisory council " that will be allowed to submit suggestions, but when the real

decisions are made no one at the table will have the student's best interest as

their sole focus.

The attitude you encountered does not reflect the best interest of the student,

but instead:

" She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in

their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already

working with wanted it "

It was all about the teachers.

What you observed is the tail wagging the dog.

Steve Moyer

>

>

> I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5

hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that

heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an

email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that

I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an

on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:

>

> Hi Pam

>

> Happy Holidays

>

> I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program

> that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the

> high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech

> pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a

> monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has

> been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the

> equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact

> interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your

> Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I

> would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational

> program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.

>

> Give me a call to set up. I look forward to

> hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely

> Herskowitz

> President

> National Autism Registry

>

>

> So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive?

But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the

principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they

already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son

has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition,

she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system

and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them

for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want

this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was

already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come

back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell

him how inappropriate this was.

>

> Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact

that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only

volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including

professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard

that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and

teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or

that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I

wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful

tone.

>

> She hung up the phone on me.

>

> Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the

county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a

committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was

very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she

will.

>

> I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out

of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do

something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really

high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and

cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy

cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced

products.

>

> What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism

programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd

be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or

privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to

show your support, please email Pincus at:

> pincus1@... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would

be a good idea-stay positive!!

>

> Thanks

> Herskowitz

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , What an awesome program!!!!  Yes, yes, yes this program is needed in Palm Beach Schools.  You have our full support at Butterfly Effects - Please let me know if we can contribute in anyway to helping its formal establishment in other schools with staff volunteer hours, baking supplies, teacher training in program implementation, etc.  How great would it be to take the program one step further - selling products to other students in the school, local stores, etc.  We would love to be a part of such a needed venture!

Thank you for getting this going!!!!Charlotte F. Fudge, MSN, RN, BCBAButterfly Effects Executive Director

: Main Office : E-Faxwww.ButterflyEffects.comcfudge@...

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry you experienced so much adversity. Perhaps print all the supportive emails and encourage parents to speak up about this wonderful idea. This is also good RDI stuff too!!! I love it. I plan to follow up with you about more details to do the same in Broward county where my son goes to school and in Dade where I work. Sent from my iPhone

I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:

Hi Pam

Happy Holidays

I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program

that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the

high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech

pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a

monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has

been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the

equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact

interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your

Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I

would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational

program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.

Give me a call to set up. I look forward to

hearing from you.

Sincerely

Herskowitz

President

National Autism Registry

So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was.

Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.

She hung up the phone on me.

Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will.

I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products.

What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:

pincus1@.... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!

Thanks

Herskowitz

[Guest guest]

Val, I could not agree with you more, that cooking classes need to be an integrated part of the school curriculum for ALL students. At Renaissance Learning Academy Charter High School, all class, regardless of ability cook weekly. Many of the meals and items we prepare are quite difficult but our students and staff always rise to the occasion and can prepare some pretty complex meals, including a full Thanksgiving dinner, and most of the desserts and snacks for Holiday festivals and school dances. "Preparation for Life" needs to address these issues in a concrete, curriculum-based sequentialized manner. Alas, cooking is not viewed as the "Arts"program it actually is. Youth with Special Needs deserve and are entitled to exposure to all activities their typical peers receive. Learning to navigate a kitchen, for many, is a skill they will use forever. And, of course, we would welcome your expertise in helping us to expand of Culinary Arts program, especially Pastry! This is a battle worthy of engagement.

Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to do

I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:

Hi Pam

Happy Holidays

I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program

that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the

high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech

pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a

monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has

been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the

equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact

interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your

Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I

would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational

program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.

Give me a call to set up. I look forward to

hearing from you.

Sincerely

Herskowitz

President

National Autism Registry

So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was.

Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.

She hung up the phone on me.

Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will.

I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products.

What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:

pincus1@.... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!

Thanks

Herskowitz

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I think you're doing a wonderful thing. My son is 21 and is enrolled at the

Culinary Arts High School for Autistic Teens at the wonderful Easter Seals

facility here in Miami-Dade. These young people are nearly adults, and cooking

and baking is something that many of them really enjoy, my son sometimes almost

seems relaxed.

Any time an autistic young person can learn something that has vocational

potential is a big, big plus.

I'm so sorry you had this awful and rather bizarre experience with this one lone

person. My son's program enjoys the support of several benefactors in various

ways, and I'm at a loss as to why anyone could possibly object.

Janet

Miami, FL

>

>

> I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5

hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that

heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an

email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that

I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an

on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:

>

> Hi Pam

>

> Happy Holidays

>

> I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program

> that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the

> high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech

> pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a

> monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has

> been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the

> equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact

> interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your

> Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I

> would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational

> program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.

>

> Give me a call to set up. I look forward to

> hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely

> Herskowitz

> President

> National Autism Registry

>

>

> So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive?

But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the

principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they

already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son

has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition,

she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system

and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them

for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want

this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was

already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come

back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell

him how inappropriate this was.

>

> Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact

that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only

volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including

professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard

that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and

teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or

that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I

wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful

tone.

>

> She hung up the phone on me.

>

> Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the

county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a

committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was

very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she

will.

>

> I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out

of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do

something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really

high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and

cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy

cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced

products.

>

> What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism

programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd

be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or

privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to

show your support, please email Pincus at:

> pincus1@... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would

be a good idea-stay positive!!

>

> Thanks

> Herskowitz

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have a son who is in his last year of Middle School, There are not any programs available for our kids that are not private (outside of school). I would like to know if there are some programs in Palm Bch County. Thank you for taking your time to afford this opportunity to "our" kids. Cooking can be intimidating, it does not have to be and we have to eat. So I applaude you, Keep up the good work and thanks for the names I wrote them down so if in the future I encounter those indivduals I will know how to deal w/ their personality styles

Happy cooking!

Helen Re: Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to doHi ,I think you're doing a wonderful thing. My son is 21 and is enrolled at the Culinary Arts High School for Autistic Teens at the wonderful Easter Seals facility here in Miami-Dade. These young people are nearly adults, and cooking and baking is something that many of them really enjoy, my son sometimes almost seems relaxed.Any time an autistic young person can learn something that has vocational potential is a big, big plus. I'm so sorry you had this awful and rather bizarre experience with this one lone person. My son's program enjoys the support of several benefactors in various ways, and I'm at a loss as to why anyone could possibly object. Janet Miami, FL>> > I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:> > Hi Pam> > Happy Holidays> > I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program> that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the> high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech> pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently started a> monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has> been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the> equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact> interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your> Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I> would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational> program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.> > Give me a call to set up. I look forward to> hearing from you.> > Sincerely> Herskowitz> President> National Autism Registry> > > So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was.> > Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.> > She hung up the phone on me.> > Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will.> > I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products.> > What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:> pincus1@... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!> > Thanks> Herskowitz>------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Go for it ! Will the CARD center @ FAU help? Contact there - you remember him from Baudhuin?

To: sList Sent: Wed, January 5, 2011 6:57:05 AMSubject: Re: Re: Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to do

Hi ,

I have a son who is in his last year of Middle School, There are not any programs available for our kids that are not private (outside of school). I would like to know if there are some programs in Palm Bch County. Thank you for taking your time to afford this opportunity to "our" kids. Cooking can be intimidating, it does not have to be and we have to eat. So I applaude you, Keep up the good work and thanks for the names I wrote them down so if in the future I encounter those indivduals I will know how to deal w/ their personality styles

Happy cooking!

Helen Re: Palm Beach Country Public Schools-What to doHi ,I think you're doing a wonderful thing. My son is 21 and is enrolled at the Culinary Arts High School for Autistic Teens at the wonderful Easter Seals facility here in Miami-Dade. These young people are nearly adults, and cooking and baking is something that many of them really enjoy, my son sometimes almost seems relaxed.Any time an autistic young person can learn something that has vocational potential is a big, big plus. I'm so sorry you had this awful and rather bizarre experience with this one lone person. My son's program enjoys the support of several benefactors in various ways, and I'm at a loss as to why anyone could possibly object.

Janet Miami, FL>> > I'm sitting here shaking my head, which I have been doing for just about 5 hours since I received the strangest phone call from Pam Tepsic, the woman that heads up the autism program here in Palm Beach. She called me in response to an email that I had sent her a week or so ago. The email talked about the fact that I have been working in my son's class for a couple of months developing an on-going baking program. Actually, here is the email I sent her:> > Hi Pam> > Happy Holidays> > I would like to set up an appointment with you to discuss a program> that I have started at Dwyer High. My goal is to bring it to all the> high school autism classrooms in the county. As a mother, speech> pathologist, therapy director, and pastry chef, I recently

started a> monthly baking activity with one of the classrooms at Dwyer. It has> been a wonderful experience. Our organization has provided all the> equipment and products. We would like to expand as well as contact> interested parties in the community to assist us as well as your> Public Affairs dept run by my friend, Nat Harrington Eventually, I> would like to see the program extend to a post high school vocational> program. Let's get together and talk about it at your convenience.> > Give me a call to set up. I look forward to> hearing from you.> > Sincerely> Herskowitz> President> National Autism Registry> > > So what would you think her response would be? Possibly, something positive? But NO, this woman spent about 15 minutes grilling me and telling me how the principal should never have

allowed this; something to the fact that they already do cooking in the autism programs (Oh, really? As far as I know, my son has made grilled cheese sandwiches once over the past three years). In addition, she was totally focused on the fact that I wasn't fingerprinted by their system and allowed to come on campus. (I can appreciate this, and offered to get them for her). She also said that she didn't think any of the teachers would want this in their classes and she didn't even know if the teacher of the class I was already working with wanted it (Then I wonder why she keeps asking me to come back each month.) Finally, she said she was going to call the principal and tell him how inappropriate this was.> > Then I lost it...I told her that not only was I totally astounded by the fact that she didn't have one nice thing to say to me, someone who had not only volunteered her time but raised the money to buy all needed supplies including

professional uniforms for all the student, but that as a parent, if I ever heard that someone or an organization from the community was going to come in and teach him something that he could be successful with, but it was not allowed or that the community partner was treated as I had been, I would be quite upset. I wasn't yelling, swearing or being condescending, but I did use a very forceful tone.> > She hung up the phone on me.> > Ok-so I called Pincus who is the director of Exceptional Ed for the county. She is a very lovely person who I had met once when serving on a committee for the Governor's Task Force on Autism. She called me back and was very nice and helpful. She said she did want to follow up on this. I hope she will.> > I reminded her that there are not a lot of options here for those who age out of the system. And wouldn't it be really cool if we could teach people to do something functional

and important? The group I worked with were not the really high functioning kids and yet they turned out beautifully decorated cookies and cupcakes. My goal is to teach them other things like simple breads and easy cakes. With other students, I think they could learn even more advanced products.> > What are your views about having a baking and pastry program for the autism programs here in Palm Beach? Free for all-not costing the system one dime. I'd be happy to hear your ideas and opinions either through the listserv or privately (info@...). Meanwhile, if you think this is a good program and want to show your support, please email Pincus at:> pincus1@... Please don't be negative. Just tell her why you think this would be a good idea-stay positive!!> > Thanks> Herskowitz>------------------------------------