Applying For Services

Applying For Services

Applying for services for a child with autism is no fun. I mean who wants to ask for help and tell someone all their problems to justify they need a little help. What makes it worse is the attitude of workers who are generally nice and pleasant.

The things people will tell you... I attended a meeting with a very nice worker who obviously wanted to help the mother. While talking about waiver services the worker said a person could help with baths, light cleaning, light cooking, and such. Then the worker said 'but only if you can't do those things, you still have to be the parent'.

This was a very good mother that did without to take care of her children. It is hard enough to ask for the help your child needs or may need without your parenting being questioned. Then of course many times by the time a parent of a child with autism gets help they are exhausted from years of 'close supervision' and no sleep.

Attitudes like that appear to be ingrained into people that without even realizing it believe your child is they way they are because of the parent. Of course if or when the parent reacts then it must really be because of them. It is a perpetual Catch 22. In reality parents should be seen as part of the solution not part of the problem.

Till next time,
Mylinda

Grandma Advocate

Grandma Advocate

One of the things I do for a living is work as a disabilty advocate. A lot of time it is in the educational system but not all the time. I help parents identify choices. I also help them identify the pros and cons of those choices.

Then I tell them the steps that will bring them closer to the options they choose. I have been doing this for my children for over 31 years and professionally for 25 years.  That is if you don't count the year and a half I volunteered. 

At this point it is in my blood. I recently went to an IEP meeting for one of my grandsons who has autism. I was vastly amused when the vice principal asked me if I was there as an advocate or as a grandma. I told her yes both. She rolled her eyes and looked at another vice principal at the meeting.  

I wondered several things. Do principals stop being teachers when they become principals? Do teachers stop being teachers when they leave the school? Although I understand separation of roles I am not sure how you stop using the information in your head.  

Anyway, my amusement for the week,

Mylinda