UTV (Ulster Television) are not exactly known for their research capabilities and I don't think any of their presenters or producers even know what the word 'erudite' means, but a cursory google search would have imparted to them more information than what they wasted 9 minutes of airtime on in this short piece which aired this past Tuesday evening (link embedded above). If you want to see the program for yourself you can watch it on UPlayer until November 13th when it will be removed from their website thankfully.
The opening 5 minute vignette about autism featured a parent and her 7 year old son. There are a myriad of ways in which informed parents could have have been interviewed by UTV to help dispel the myths about our children and what they need. This program wasnt about dispelling myths though. It was about pandering to the existing system and asking for more of the same. Charities like AutismNI/AutismUlster could have selected the mother featured in the program as she laments the fact that she needs more of what groups like AutismNI/AutismUlster offer (training in TEACCH, Pecs, etc)
This parent lamented the lack of services, the long waiting list she encountered in having her son diagnosed (two years) as well as her fears for the future of her son once he leaves his special school at the age of 19. Much of her worry centered around whether or not her son would find employment when he reached adulthood.
This is where I started screaming at the television....I don't believe this parent deliberately set out to mislead the public, though I do believe UTV cynically chose this parent to guage sympathy rather than inform. The viewer is told how her son received six months of a TEACCH program and how he was six years old before he received any benefit from interventions.
TEACCH is not appropriate for children with an ASD. TEACCH is a system of control set up to embed routine into the individual's day to repress and suppress personality, spontaneity and of course motivation. It is not a social communication program and in fact the TEACCH trainers admit that is so. It is cheap, and teachers love it because it allows them to put structure into THEIR day and keeps autistic kids and adults quiet. Coupled with the PECS system, it's a sure fire way to prevent any child from ever having an independent life, a happy life, a life of equity with his or her peers. It is NOT an intervention for autism.
The parent then went on to talk about how routine plays a big part in her son's life and the life of autistic children. If only she could have given this a bit of thought and hadn't internalised the lies that professionals fed her, she may have concluded differently. Clearly someone along the way had spun her a yarn, a yarn so big that all it needed was a self fulfilling prophesy, in the form of TEACCH and of course in the form of a charity that makes money at rolling out the said program. (by the way, does anyone know how much money AutismNI/AutismUlster has in its coffers?? anyone bothered to find out, or even how much they have spent or been awarded to roll out TEACCH?)
Why wasn't this parent asking for something else. She says that her son received no benefit from 'interventions' offered, until he was six years old. Maybe she believed (or was led to believe) that 'autistic' kids take a long time to learn and that well, you know, it's the autism, etc etc.
This parent went on, 'you do the best you can with what you have', (I don't know if she was referring to services or to her son). She went on to say that any employment for her son "would have to be very repetitive...there is work out there that is repetitive work and autism children would be the best at that because they do like to repeat everything and I hope that when xx is that age to go out into the world that there would be something for him, but at the moment it doesnt look very good there is no understanding of the autism world."
I doubt any one came knocking on this parent's door to give her and her family choices in the training of specific educational interventions that would individually suit and help her son. I also doubt that she were given much hope by 'professionals' who have worked with her boy. The fact she expects him to stay in the special school (dumping ground) system until he is 19 kind of verifies that.
Persons with autistic spectrum conditions do not like to 'repeat' everything. In fact, I would venture that many individuals with an ASD absolutely hate repetition, even to the point where repetition becomes an uncontrollable co-morbid condition of ASD. If you insist on using a TEACCH program for your child, however, repetition and 'routine' may become so ingrained in your child that he may very well not be able to cope or learn without repetition, it becomes a learned behaviour, purposefully and deliberately projected by those who promote TEACCH.
As I have said before there are over 300 well known educational models for autism now, probably a lot more, that I do not know about. This province has not delivered in any other way for our children so why would any parent think, or accept that an educational model offered (TEACCH) has any merit?
As an aside this parent also said in the UTV program that her child gets up in the middle of the night, and also has some major gut and bowel difficulties. I would ask her to investigate biomedical interventions, homeopathy, stress reduction techniques, cranio sacral therapy, neurological chiropracty, sensory integration and of course her child's diet. His problems are common and unfortunately are not addressed by doctors and paediatricians here until they become life threatening. By the way if you want any of these things, you will of course have to pay for them yourself. You will NEVER get a sensory integration specialist even though it looks like your son really really needs one. Sensory integration is not OT, is not Physio. It's a very complex art and isn't offered here. You need to go to England to get anyone that is any good. But, I thought I would mention it. In fact, your child's special school probably can't even spell sensory integration much less know anything about it.
And now on to you, UTV, you should be ashamed as you knew exactly what you were doing by cynically using this parent and her son to pull the heartstrings of your viewers and keep them watching. I didn't expect anything less though. Your station is not exactly known for rocking any boats. You didnt do your research. Either that, or else the lack of depth of this program was planned on purpose.
Below is an article on how one parent, who believed in his child created something unique and wonderful in terms of employment for persons with an ASD based on their amazing and unrivalled skills. Would this ever happen in Northern Ireland? I doubt it.
Our kids can work, and no they don't need repetition. What they need is for their strengths and abilities to be valued, honoured and respected. My son is never ever going to leave a special school, to enter into the workforce to make baskets or pencils for some government training scheme. If that's where you see your children heading, only one question - why? I say over and over again, if the floodgates start opening up in terms of realisation about how bright our children are, the government will be horrified. No longer will parents buy the crap fed to them about how their kids have learning disabilities, can't do this, or that. It only takes a few parents to lead our kids out of the darkness we have in Northern Ireland. I just wish you would find each other and not waste any more time because no one else is going to do it for us.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/the-company-that-turned-disability-into-an-asset-1801627.html
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Just Leave Us Alone
Parents I know who have children on the spectrum often lament, 'if only "they" would leave us alone', our kids would be fine.
How true. How many times has your child been having a perfectly wonderful day and then someone says something, does something in response to you and your child? I suppose that the outcome of such situations is dependent on how you control your own emotions and behaviour. But sometimes, it's very difficult.
A perfect example of this is School Boards who make it their purpose to heap as much trouble, frustration, financial strain and anquish on you as they possibly can. All of this is in addition to what you are doing for your child at home and and in his community. A parent of child who did not have autism has very little idea and I doubt would even put up with it.
I believe our children mirror the beliefs, attitudes and fears of those around them. My child is not mean to other children, loves all those who love him and is devoid of most of those things that make some humans inhuman. Yet, it takes very little for him to 'trigger' others into cursing him (and me) and even less for others to treat him as something sub-human.
It's not just here in Northern Ireland. I was in a large American city recently and was in a queue waiting to pay for my shopping. My son saw something he wanted in the next aisle and was making it very clear to me that he wanted it. Up until that moment we had been having a perfect day.
An old man queued behind us with his trolley. By this time my son was on his haunches refusing to move. The old man said, if you don't get up I am going to run you over with my trolley'! I shook my head in shock at what this ole crone said and responded with something particularly pithy, vengeful and exacting. The old man recoiled in horror at what I said to him. Meanwhile, my child was oblivious to the old man's threat, and was still protesting on the ground. My son had been physically threatened by an 80 year old who probably had great great grandchildren. No compassion, no patience and no understanding. The best part was my son wasn't even in this man's way. He must have thought I 'needed' a lesson on child discipline, or rather child abuse!
Here in Belfast not too long ago, we had lined up behind a man in an ATM and my child said 'hurry up'(rightly so, the guy didnt know how to use his cash card and was taking forever). Before I had a chance to say to my child that what he said was inappropriate, this man turned around with a horrible scowl on his face, looked down at my smiling son and said, 'what did you say?' in a very threatening manner. I replied 'he said hurry up!'
Muttering something quite distasteful under his breath, he moved away and proceeded to stare at my son and me until we finished our business. I felt like calling the police and could only think about how my son would deal with such a situation if I wasn't there.
Finally, a month ago in yet another queue (queues are such fun) a woman who was standing behind me in what is a very typical Northern Ireland style (she was so close to me, I could feel her breath on my neck,and her trolley was rammed up against the back of my legs) she was 'tsk - tsking about my boy who was touching items in the next person's shopping basket.
I turned around to see where this annoying sound was coming from and saw a very hard looking woman. She was spray tanned, bleached blonde and clearly a victim of middle spread standing with her very young and very pregnant daughter. They both had that 'look', you know the one, particularly in some women with little self esteem who 'dare' you to stare them down. Of course I did stare them down, looking at them from head to toe, just as they had looked at me. I turned to my son and said, 'there are some people behind us who we need to pray for'.
A bit of 'discussion' ensued between me and them. My son looked at these people with a huge smile, oblivious to their scorn and uttered 'hello'. Neither of them responded and my son said 'hello' again. I told him, 'some people don't know how to talk'. Who has the problem here?
Something in what my son was doing triggered the need in all of these people to react negatively. My son is an incredibly happy and contented child and it amazes me how he brings out the worst in people. I can only surmise that either 1. there are a lot of very unhappy people out there, or 2. his failure to comply with their very selective social rules is a threat. Obviously the 16 year old very pregnant young woman who was behind us did not comply with certain rules either and I could very well have made a number of judgements and even comments. Considering her mother was rather formidable looking, I doubt anyone would ever contemplate such behaviour at least whilst she was around. It was ok though for them to chide me and my boy for something completely trivial and unimportant.
The problem, at least in our house, is never the 'autism' - it's usually you.
How true. How many times has your child been having a perfectly wonderful day and then someone says something, does something in response to you and your child? I suppose that the outcome of such situations is dependent on how you control your own emotions and behaviour. But sometimes, it's very difficult.
A perfect example of this is School Boards who make it their purpose to heap as much trouble, frustration, financial strain and anquish on you as they possibly can. All of this is in addition to what you are doing for your child at home and and in his community. A parent of child who did not have autism has very little idea and I doubt would even put up with it.
I believe our children mirror the beliefs, attitudes and fears of those around them. My child is not mean to other children, loves all those who love him and is devoid of most of those things that make some humans inhuman. Yet, it takes very little for him to 'trigger' others into cursing him (and me) and even less for others to treat him as something sub-human.
It's not just here in Northern Ireland. I was in a large American city recently and was in a queue waiting to pay for my shopping. My son saw something he wanted in the next aisle and was making it very clear to me that he wanted it. Up until that moment we had been having a perfect day.
An old man queued behind us with his trolley. By this time my son was on his haunches refusing to move. The old man said, if you don't get up I am going to run you over with my trolley'! I shook my head in shock at what this ole crone said and responded with something particularly pithy, vengeful and exacting. The old man recoiled in horror at what I said to him. Meanwhile, my child was oblivious to the old man's threat, and was still protesting on the ground. My son had been physically threatened by an 80 year old who probably had great great grandchildren. No compassion, no patience and no understanding. The best part was my son wasn't even in this man's way. He must have thought I 'needed' a lesson on child discipline, or rather child abuse!
Here in Belfast not too long ago, we had lined up behind a man in an ATM and my child said 'hurry up'(rightly so, the guy didnt know how to use his cash card and was taking forever). Before I had a chance to say to my child that what he said was inappropriate, this man turned around with a horrible scowl on his face, looked down at my smiling son and said, 'what did you say?' in a very threatening manner. I replied 'he said hurry up!'
Muttering something quite distasteful under his breath, he moved away and proceeded to stare at my son and me until we finished our business. I felt like calling the police and could only think about how my son would deal with such a situation if I wasn't there.
Finally, a month ago in yet another queue (queues are such fun) a woman who was standing behind me in what is a very typical Northern Ireland style (she was so close to me, I could feel her breath on my neck,and her trolley was rammed up against the back of my legs) she was 'tsk - tsking about my boy who was touching items in the next person's shopping basket.
I turned around to see where this annoying sound was coming from and saw a very hard looking woman. She was spray tanned, bleached blonde and clearly a victim of middle spread standing with her very young and very pregnant daughter. They both had that 'look', you know the one, particularly in some women with little self esteem who 'dare' you to stare them down. Of course I did stare them down, looking at them from head to toe, just as they had looked at me. I turned to my son and said, 'there are some people behind us who we need to pray for'.
A bit of 'discussion' ensued between me and them. My son looked at these people with a huge smile, oblivious to their scorn and uttered 'hello'. Neither of them responded and my son said 'hello' again. I told him, 'some people don't know how to talk'. Who has the problem here?
Something in what my son was doing triggered the need in all of these people to react negatively. My son is an incredibly happy and contented child and it amazes me how he brings out the worst in people. I can only surmise that either 1. there are a lot of very unhappy people out there, or 2. his failure to comply with their very selective social rules is a threat. Obviously the 16 year old very pregnant young woman who was behind us did not comply with certain rules either and I could very well have made a number of judgements and even comments. Considering her mother was rather formidable looking, I doubt anyone would ever contemplate such behaviour at least whilst she was around. It was ok though for them to chide me and my boy for something completely trivial and unimportant.
The problem, at least in our house, is never the 'autism' - it's usually you.
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Middletown Centre for Autism - 7 Million pounds for......?
this:? http://www.middletownautism.com/
Where is the parent training provided by Middletown Centre for 'Excellence'? Our children spend 3-6 hours at school per day and the other 21-18 hours are spent at home. Why is it that parents have been left out of the loop? Well Middletown as you all know by now is a joke (a silent joke by the way, I mean where is the investigation into the wasted money?)
Look carefully at the list of courses on the above link (still only 1 page long with promises of website construction in the future). Titles like 'challenging' behaviour, and Teacch Assessement Profiles - what complete and utter CRAP.
Still stuck in the past, this garbage continues to be replicated and regurgitated. If this is the only thing on offer to the teachers of your children, God help them. I would contact the Middletown Centre and advise them of the current teaching strategies worldwide as well as the research, but they claim to be research oriented and I would presume know of all these things already. So why do they continue to expel such crap?
Even the same old names pop up at Middletown - Fiona McCaffrey for example, ex of PAPA/AutismNI/Autism Ulster. These people just seem to do the 'rounds', they move from place to place spouting the same CRAP.
Take your children out of school and educate them yourselves if you can. I truly believe the damage done by the education system here, the appalling 'autism training' on offer, is doing much more damage than good. Parents should be employed to do the training at Middletown. It wouldn't have taken 7 million pounds for parents to tell teachers how to teach their children.
Where is the parent training provided by Middletown Centre for 'Excellence'? Our children spend 3-6 hours at school per day and the other 21-18 hours are spent at home. Why is it that parents have been left out of the loop? Well Middletown as you all know by now is a joke (a silent joke by the way, I mean where is the investigation into the wasted money?)
Look carefully at the list of courses on the above link (still only 1 page long with promises of website construction in the future). Titles like 'challenging' behaviour, and Teacch Assessement Profiles - what complete and utter CRAP.
Still stuck in the past, this garbage continues to be replicated and regurgitated. If this is the only thing on offer to the teachers of your children, God help them. I would contact the Middletown Centre and advise them of the current teaching strategies worldwide as well as the research, but they claim to be research oriented and I would presume know of all these things already. So why do they continue to expel such crap?
Even the same old names pop up at Middletown - Fiona McCaffrey for example, ex of PAPA/AutismNI/Autism Ulster. These people just seem to do the 'rounds', they move from place to place spouting the same CRAP.
Take your children out of school and educate them yourselves if you can. I truly believe the damage done by the education system here, the appalling 'autism training' on offer, is doing much more damage than good. Parents should be employed to do the training at Middletown. It wouldn't have taken 7 million pounds for parents to tell teachers how to teach their children.
Friday, 9 October 2009
Restraint of children with 'special needs' in our schools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ninImoQbX60
The above link takes you to a video of an Illinois police officer brutally beating a youth in an Illinois special needs high school.
15-year-old Marshawn Pitts was beaten by the police officer, because his shirt wasnt tucked in. Pitts was a student at the Academy for Learning High School in Dolton, which claims to be a school for children with learning disabilities. In this video, the officer, whose name has not been released, is seen slamming Pitts (who has a learning difficulty) into lockers, and then slamming him facedown on the floor. (This technique, known as 'facedown/takedown' has caused the deaths of some 20 people so far.
Ok, Northern Ireland is not Illinois. Our problems are different but I do wonder why some schools in Northern Ireland are receiving staff training on 'restraining young children with special needs'. A number of schools have sent their teachers on 3 day courses on how to 'restrain' our kids in a classroom.
My own boy has very rarely needed to be 'restrained' except in his car seat and the seat does that. The way in which I conduct myself with him, teach him, respond to him, negates any need for 'restraint'.
It's sort of like mental hospitals and group homes - you wouldn't build them unless you intend for them to be used. What is the belief of teachers who feel the need to take a 3 day course on how to physically manipulate/overpower/oppress my child when in fact he has a fully functioning brain and responds so much better to trust, compassion and understanding?
Why is it that so many children in 'special schools' 'behave' in a manner that teachers think needs 'restraining', either for their own safety or the safety of their peers/teachers.
Something is very wrong with this picture. I don't know if you know this parents, but your child's teachers and aides are being trained in how to 'hold' your child in a quasi arm lock and march him down the hall. It's all made to look very compassionate and P.C. but its adults weilding physical power over your child, just the same.
very VERY worrying.
Watch the link to the video above and see how its done 5000 miles away. Incredible is the belief system that tells a police officer to brutally assault a child for a shirt tail hanging out. What are your own children being 'restrained' for and why? In particular watch towards the end when the teacher carrying files just walks past the frenzied attack and doesn't even give a blind bit of notice. She just non chalantly carries on with her business whilst a vulnerable youth is brutally beaten.
You can bet if there is a 3 day course on child restrain, that it's going to be used on your child at some stage, and possibly for no reason whatsoever. Funny, how there is no 3 day course on how to listen to children, or a course on how to examine your belief systems on what is 'important', or on how 'attitudes' colour judgement.
I personally am thinking of designing a course for teachers to help them understand why they believe what they believe about our children. A lifetime of 'attitude', belief, judgement, etc is wrapped up in every teacher. Our children, so very vulnerable, are prone to being the butt of teachers beliefs about 'naughty' or 'unruly' behaviour.
If a teacher had the crap beat out of him as a child, or if his parents constantly nagged him, judged him, criticised him, how do teachers shuffle off the effects of such a legacy, when they are working with our children?? When it comes to 'restraining' our children, what stimuli triggers a response in a particular teacher warranting in them, a need to restrain??
Do you think teachers would attend such a course? Would they be open enough to spend 3 days examining their belief systems, thoroughly examining themselves, before they pre-judge our children as something needing 'restraint'??
Hmmmmm. There are many many teachers out there who have never even heard of sensory integration, don't know what it is, and certainly don't know how to reduce/eliminate environmental triggers that cause our children to 'react'. There are to date, no courses that I have seen offered, training teachers how to re-design their classrooms, modify their curriculums and offer techniques on how to calm over active nervous systems. Further, I have not seen a course for teachers on how to 'talk' to our children, to teach them to self advocate, to learn how to express their frustrations at a school system that lumps them in classes of 28/30 and expects them to sit at desks for much of the day, or eat food in the canteen that sends them doo lally.
The cart is being put before the horse here. Techniques in ensuring 'low arousal' in the classroom, examination of behavioural techniques (antecedent, behaviour, consequence) and so much more would be way more effective than just training teachers carte blanche in how to restrain. Our kids' brains are getting 'restrained' in the process, much less their trust of adults.
It's all very sad.
The above link takes you to a video of an Illinois police officer brutally beating a youth in an Illinois special needs high school.
15-year-old Marshawn Pitts was beaten by the police officer, because his shirt wasnt tucked in. Pitts was a student at the Academy for Learning High School in Dolton, which claims to be a school for children with learning disabilities. In this video, the officer, whose name has not been released, is seen slamming Pitts (who has a learning difficulty) into lockers, and then slamming him facedown on the floor. (This technique, known as 'facedown/takedown' has caused the deaths of some 20 people so far.
Ok, Northern Ireland is not Illinois. Our problems are different but I do wonder why some schools in Northern Ireland are receiving staff training on 'restraining young children with special needs'. A number of schools have sent their teachers on 3 day courses on how to 'restrain' our kids in a classroom.
My own boy has very rarely needed to be 'restrained' except in his car seat and the seat does that. The way in which I conduct myself with him, teach him, respond to him, negates any need for 'restraint'.
It's sort of like mental hospitals and group homes - you wouldn't build them unless you intend for them to be used. What is the belief of teachers who feel the need to take a 3 day course on how to physically manipulate/overpower/oppress my child when in fact he has a fully functioning brain and responds so much better to trust, compassion and understanding?
Why is it that so many children in 'special schools' 'behave' in a manner that teachers think needs 'restraining', either for their own safety or the safety of their peers/teachers.
Something is very wrong with this picture. I don't know if you know this parents, but your child's teachers and aides are being trained in how to 'hold' your child in a quasi arm lock and march him down the hall. It's all made to look very compassionate and P.C. but its adults weilding physical power over your child, just the same.
very VERY worrying.
Watch the link to the video above and see how its done 5000 miles away. Incredible is the belief system that tells a police officer to brutally assault a child for a shirt tail hanging out. What are your own children being 'restrained' for and why? In particular watch towards the end when the teacher carrying files just walks past the frenzied attack and doesn't even give a blind bit of notice. She just non chalantly carries on with her business whilst a vulnerable youth is brutally beaten.
You can bet if there is a 3 day course on child restrain, that it's going to be used on your child at some stage, and possibly for no reason whatsoever. Funny, how there is no 3 day course on how to listen to children, or a course on how to examine your belief systems on what is 'important', or on how 'attitudes' colour judgement.
I personally am thinking of designing a course for teachers to help them understand why they believe what they believe about our children. A lifetime of 'attitude', belief, judgement, etc is wrapped up in every teacher. Our children, so very vulnerable, are prone to being the butt of teachers beliefs about 'naughty' or 'unruly' behaviour.
If a teacher had the crap beat out of him as a child, or if his parents constantly nagged him, judged him, criticised him, how do teachers shuffle off the effects of such a legacy, when they are working with our children?? When it comes to 'restraining' our children, what stimuli triggers a response in a particular teacher warranting in them, a need to restrain??
Do you think teachers would attend such a course? Would they be open enough to spend 3 days examining their belief systems, thoroughly examining themselves, before they pre-judge our children as something needing 'restraint'??
Hmmmmm. There are many many teachers out there who have never even heard of sensory integration, don't know what it is, and certainly don't know how to reduce/eliminate environmental triggers that cause our children to 'react'. There are to date, no courses that I have seen offered, training teachers how to re-design their classrooms, modify their curriculums and offer techniques on how to calm over active nervous systems. Further, I have not seen a course for teachers on how to 'talk' to our children, to teach them to self advocate, to learn how to express their frustrations at a school system that lumps them in classes of 28/30 and expects them to sit at desks for much of the day, or eat food in the canteen that sends them doo lally.
The cart is being put before the horse here. Techniques in ensuring 'low arousal' in the classroom, examination of behavioural techniques (antecedent, behaviour, consequence) and so much more would be way more effective than just training teachers carte blanche in how to restrain. Our kids' brains are getting 'restrained' in the process, much less their trust of adults.
It's all very sad.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Build a school, build your own dreams
In Northern Ireland, the hope of attaining a ‘good’ education in a ‘good’ school (whatever that is) can depend on a number of things. For any child, some of the obstacles to attaining a good education include whether or not your child sat the 11 Plus, what postal code you live in, whether a child’s parents value education and are proactive about it and of course the academic ability and/or motivation of the child.
In terms of the 11 Plus exams, many parents are well aware that for their children who did not sit the exam that their child sat ‘in the back’ so to speak while the 11 Plus pupils got all the attention.
Separate curriculums, even separate classes are formed between the ‘smart ones’ and the others. Don’t believe me? Ask your son or daughter who did not sit the exam, what their schoolwork consisted of, just prior to and following exam time. Were they colouring in a lot of maps and being kept busy with ‘artwork’ while their peers were busy cramming in concepts, facts and figures with the full attention of all the teachers?
We all know there is a two track system in Northern Ireland best exemplified by the grammar schools. Regardless of the 11 Plus being phased out, it has already done its damage.
For our children on the spectrum the obstacles set against them include all the above and so much more. Large class size, over stimulating environments, curriculums that have not been modified, teachers and classroom assistants who have not been highly trained, teachers who can’t cope, the list goes on and on. Put our children in a class of 28 and most of the child's day could well be spent having teacher and aide calming down his overworked nervous system. My own child is incredibly bright. I know this. His 'active' presentation, however, would prevent him from coping in such a large class. He could be a veritable genius but if his sensory system is in overdrive, he won't be able to filter information in or out. So, does this mean special school for my child?
I do not want my child or any other child for that matter to be shunted into a ‘special’ school, the connotations of which, so often mirror reality. What I do want, however, is my son’s education to be specialized enough to meet his educational needs. Attempting to fit my child into a mainstream school where even ‘typical’ children are failing is not the answer.
Northern Ireland has a number of empty schools, schools that with very little effort could be used to create ‘autism’ schools. There is one of these empty schools near me. A good friend of mine pointed out ‘why are these schools lying empty when your child needs a school?’ Very good question. She further asked, ‘why don’t parents get together and create their own schools out of these empty buildings for their children?’ Another very good question.
There is no school available in Northern Ireland that is suitable for my child. The fact that a parent would have a very hard time obtaining a classroom assistant for their child in one of the ‘special’ school says it all – these people seem to think they are more ‘special’ than our children. Unfortunately, I do not see 'special' outcomes coming from these schools and in fact what I see is special schools that run from primary age to graduation. What exactly is the belief system of placing our children in a school that covers their education for 14 years. Clearly no one expects them to venture outside the special school system. This is so very wrong. This is the belief system that parents must vehemently counteract if they have any hope for their children's future.
If parents want schools for their children, schools that will specialize and will honour the opportunity to help our children, then parents must start demanding them. Why should we as parents accept what is on offer? The product is well past it’s sell by date and is actually starting to mould.
Have parents in Northern Ireland succumbed to the system just like the government and school boards hoped they would? Since when do we have to accept anything? Instead of governments telling us what to do, it is they who should and must listen to us, not the other way round. I see and hear parents complaining all the time, each carrying out their own personal battle with the authorities and schools, each in isolation, each signifying nothing to the bigger picture except isolated bouts of disruption. Even if a parent launches an appeal and tribunal regarding the education of the child, unless it's going to create a precedent in law, the impact of such is not felt in the wider community (despite the danger of potentially causing a nervous breakdown in the parent due to stress)
All of these isolated voices of parents that are battling the system get lost and never come together. Despite the fact that there are five autism charities in the North, the voices of parents continue to make very little impact. Parents are separated, corralled and effectively silenced by the fact they are not coming together as one.
There is a big difference between being bitten by one spider and being bitten by ten. Parents could be those 10 or 1000 spiders. They would need to be because they are fighting mosquitos, the pesty bug that will suck the blood from you and your child if you don't swat it.
Who will take up the gauntlet in Northern Ireland and bring the voice of all parents together? Our children are not 'special', no more special than any of God's other creatures. All children are special. Our children are, however, extraordinary and exceptional and I truly believe that children who have autism intimidate a lot of people particularly those who fear autism and do not or will not make efforts to understand the condition.
If you are a parent of a child who has a diagnosis of autism you know how intelligent, intuitive and sensitive your child is.
I personally can recount stories to you about my child that I have never heard repeated by another parent. My heart has soared at some of the things my son has achieved, things that have been so incredibly and awe inspiringly brilliant!
Every parent, without a doubt has some amazing stories to tell about their child. Are teachers and the Department of Education afraid of what our children might achieve? It would set a very dangerous precedent if our children started 'achieving' beyond the belief systems of these people! A veritable 'pandoras' box would soon open. There would be no going back to suppressing and repressing our children and their parents. The Department of Education, I think, is terrified of providing opportunities for our children to grow because the flood gates would open to possibilities and all of that costs dearly. Best to keep parents and their children in a holding pattern. It starts with the negative attitudes of the diagnosing paediatrician and it ends with your child still at home at the age of 25.
I ask all of you who are parents to take one hour and really think about what kind of educational environment you really want for your child. Try to exclude the niggling comments from your child's teacher that he is 'happy' (he might not be happy at the age of 18 when he hasn't got the skills to get a job or a girlfriend) Talk to your fellow parents and compare notes about what you really want for your child. Then ask yourself 'are these things achievable?'
I believe all things are possible but that nothing comes unless the work is put in. No one is going to work for our children without parents becoming vocal, empowered and fully accountable. My own child's education is my responsibility and I have not and never would leave such an important part of my child to anyone else. Not only am I responsible for seeing that he achieves, I am also responsible to ensure he is not permanently damaged by the school system. We have all seen this happen too many times.
If anyone out there is interested in creating 'good' schools for our children, please let me know. If necessity is the mother of invention, there has never been more need. If anyone tells you it can't be done, question their motives and ask them why they believe what they say is true. Only I know what my child needs and only I know what I want. I expect as parents, you are the same.
We can change the future for our children. 'Tick tock, tick tock....what are we waiting for?
In terms of the 11 Plus exams, many parents are well aware that for their children who did not sit the exam that their child sat ‘in the back’ so to speak while the 11 Plus pupils got all the attention.
Separate curriculums, even separate classes are formed between the ‘smart ones’ and the others. Don’t believe me? Ask your son or daughter who did not sit the exam, what their schoolwork consisted of, just prior to and following exam time. Were they colouring in a lot of maps and being kept busy with ‘artwork’ while their peers were busy cramming in concepts, facts and figures with the full attention of all the teachers?
We all know there is a two track system in Northern Ireland best exemplified by the grammar schools. Regardless of the 11 Plus being phased out, it has already done its damage.
For our children on the spectrum the obstacles set against them include all the above and so much more. Large class size, over stimulating environments, curriculums that have not been modified, teachers and classroom assistants who have not been highly trained, teachers who can’t cope, the list goes on and on. Put our children in a class of 28 and most of the child's day could well be spent having teacher and aide calming down his overworked nervous system. My own child is incredibly bright. I know this. His 'active' presentation, however, would prevent him from coping in such a large class. He could be a veritable genius but if his sensory system is in overdrive, he won't be able to filter information in or out. So, does this mean special school for my child?
I do not want my child or any other child for that matter to be shunted into a ‘special’ school, the connotations of which, so often mirror reality. What I do want, however, is my son’s education to be specialized enough to meet his educational needs. Attempting to fit my child into a mainstream school where even ‘typical’ children are failing is not the answer.
Northern Ireland has a number of empty schools, schools that with very little effort could be used to create ‘autism’ schools. There is one of these empty schools near me. A good friend of mine pointed out ‘why are these schools lying empty when your child needs a school?’ Very good question. She further asked, ‘why don’t parents get together and create their own schools out of these empty buildings for their children?’ Another very good question.
There is no school available in Northern Ireland that is suitable for my child. The fact that a parent would have a very hard time obtaining a classroom assistant for their child in one of the ‘special’ school says it all – these people seem to think they are more ‘special’ than our children. Unfortunately, I do not see 'special' outcomes coming from these schools and in fact what I see is special schools that run from primary age to graduation. What exactly is the belief system of placing our children in a school that covers their education for 14 years. Clearly no one expects them to venture outside the special school system. This is so very wrong. This is the belief system that parents must vehemently counteract if they have any hope for their children's future.
If parents want schools for their children, schools that will specialize and will honour the opportunity to help our children, then parents must start demanding them. Why should we as parents accept what is on offer? The product is well past it’s sell by date and is actually starting to mould.
Have parents in Northern Ireland succumbed to the system just like the government and school boards hoped they would? Since when do we have to accept anything? Instead of governments telling us what to do, it is they who should and must listen to us, not the other way round. I see and hear parents complaining all the time, each carrying out their own personal battle with the authorities and schools, each in isolation, each signifying nothing to the bigger picture except isolated bouts of disruption. Even if a parent launches an appeal and tribunal regarding the education of the child, unless it's going to create a precedent in law, the impact of such is not felt in the wider community (despite the danger of potentially causing a nervous breakdown in the parent due to stress)
All of these isolated voices of parents that are battling the system get lost and never come together. Despite the fact that there are five autism charities in the North, the voices of parents continue to make very little impact. Parents are separated, corralled and effectively silenced by the fact they are not coming together as one.
There is a big difference between being bitten by one spider and being bitten by ten. Parents could be those 10 or 1000 spiders. They would need to be because they are fighting mosquitos, the pesty bug that will suck the blood from you and your child if you don't swat it.
Who will take up the gauntlet in Northern Ireland and bring the voice of all parents together? Our children are not 'special', no more special than any of God's other creatures. All children are special. Our children are, however, extraordinary and exceptional and I truly believe that children who have autism intimidate a lot of people particularly those who fear autism and do not or will not make efforts to understand the condition.
If you are a parent of a child who has a diagnosis of autism you know how intelligent, intuitive and sensitive your child is.
I personally can recount stories to you about my child that I have never heard repeated by another parent. My heart has soared at some of the things my son has achieved, things that have been so incredibly and awe inspiringly brilliant!
Every parent, without a doubt has some amazing stories to tell about their child. Are teachers and the Department of Education afraid of what our children might achieve? It would set a very dangerous precedent if our children started 'achieving' beyond the belief systems of these people! A veritable 'pandoras' box would soon open. There would be no going back to suppressing and repressing our children and their parents. The Department of Education, I think, is terrified of providing opportunities for our children to grow because the flood gates would open to possibilities and all of that costs dearly. Best to keep parents and their children in a holding pattern. It starts with the negative attitudes of the diagnosing paediatrician and it ends with your child still at home at the age of 25.
I ask all of you who are parents to take one hour and really think about what kind of educational environment you really want for your child. Try to exclude the niggling comments from your child's teacher that he is 'happy' (he might not be happy at the age of 18 when he hasn't got the skills to get a job or a girlfriend) Talk to your fellow parents and compare notes about what you really want for your child. Then ask yourself 'are these things achievable?'
I believe all things are possible but that nothing comes unless the work is put in. No one is going to work for our children without parents becoming vocal, empowered and fully accountable. My own child's education is my responsibility and I have not and never would leave such an important part of my child to anyone else. Not only am I responsible for seeing that he achieves, I am also responsible to ensure he is not permanently damaged by the school system. We have all seen this happen too many times.
If anyone out there is interested in creating 'good' schools for our children, please let me know. If necessity is the mother of invention, there has never been more need. If anyone tells you it can't be done, question their motives and ask them why they believe what they say is true. Only I know what my child needs and only I know what I want. I expect as parents, you are the same.
We can change the future for our children. 'Tick tock, tick tock....what are we waiting for?
Monday, 5 October 2009
Autism Bill - Northern Ireland Assembly Not Convinced
Watch and listen for yourself (see link below)
- 17 September 2009 Briefing to the Health Committee on the proposed Autism Bill - presented by Dominic Bradley, SDLP and Arlene Cassidy, AutismNI/AutismUlster.
Pertinent questions are finally being asked of AutismNI/AutismUlster. MLAs are thinking very carefully about the bill and clearly they are far from convinced. It seems in the past that as long as someone paid lip service to 'autism', it was enough. It could be the biggest load of **** but as long as it was purported to be for those little 'autistic kids' it was good enough. That's my impression anyway, and based on the **** my child has been offered so far, I find it hard to make any other deduction. Would someone out there 'in the know' please add up the money that has been wasted so far on autism in Northern Ireland in the past 10 years? Let's see, Middletown is a biggie. Then, there are the countless reports and surveys which added up to nothing. This would be followed by the mediocre and in my opinion, damaging training packages being meted out to teachers (TEACCH, etc). Then there are the junkets, the wasting of time of the assembly over this autism bill, it just goes on and on and on and we are all paying for it.
If you come up with a figure, let me know. Then divide that figure by what it would cost to provide a top of the class school for kids on the spectrum , with small classes and an OT/SLT suite, a sensory room and specifically, well trained professionals as teachers.
Probably doesn't bear thinking about.
Anyway, you can watch this rather depressing and uninspiring debate. Particularly interesting was Ms Cassidy's reference to photos at the back of her hand-out, about parental stress. Duh, yes we are stressed, stressed because organisations like yours, have for 20 years, been in existence and we are still standing in the same spot. What is wrong with that picture?
If you watch this presentation, keep your children in mind and try to work out how your child or loved one fits into this debate. Questions were asked as to why the other four autism charities in the North have not been fully included and why they are not participating as stridently as is AutismNI/AutismUlster regarding the pushing of the Autism Bill idea. Good question. My biggest question though is who asked me? Who asked my child? Where is my voice? It's not represented by AutismNI/AutismUlster, nor is it represented by Dominic Bradley of the SDLP. Only I can speak for me. Where do I get my voice heard on this issue? Which is why I write a blog. Says a lot doesn't it.
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/videoarchive.htm
- 17 September 2009 Briefing to the Health Committee on the proposed Autism Bill - presented by Dominic Bradley, SDLP and Arlene Cassidy, AutismNI/AutismUlster.
Pertinent questions are finally being asked of AutismNI/AutismUlster. MLAs are thinking very carefully about the bill and clearly they are far from convinced. It seems in the past that as long as someone paid lip service to 'autism', it was enough. It could be the biggest load of **** but as long as it was purported to be for those little 'autistic kids' it was good enough. That's my impression anyway, and based on the **** my child has been offered so far, I find it hard to make any other deduction. Would someone out there 'in the know' please add up the money that has been wasted so far on autism in Northern Ireland in the past 10 years? Let's see, Middletown is a biggie. Then, there are the countless reports and surveys which added up to nothing. This would be followed by the mediocre and in my opinion, damaging training packages being meted out to teachers (TEACCH, etc). Then there are the junkets, the wasting of time of the assembly over this autism bill, it just goes on and on and on and we are all paying for it.
If you come up with a figure, let me know. Then divide that figure by what it would cost to provide a top of the class school for kids on the spectrum , with small classes and an OT/SLT suite, a sensory room and specifically, well trained professionals as teachers.
Probably doesn't bear thinking about.
Anyway, you can watch this rather depressing and uninspiring debate. Particularly interesting was Ms Cassidy's reference to photos at the back of her hand-out, about parental stress. Duh, yes we are stressed, stressed because organisations like yours, have for 20 years, been in existence and we are still standing in the same spot. What is wrong with that picture?
If you watch this presentation, keep your children in mind and try to work out how your child or loved one fits into this debate. Questions were asked as to why the other four autism charities in the North have not been fully included and why they are not participating as stridently as is AutismNI/AutismUlster regarding the pushing of the Autism Bill idea. Good question. My biggest question though is who asked me? Who asked my child? Where is my voice? It's not represented by AutismNI/AutismUlster, nor is it represented by Dominic Bradley of the SDLP. Only I can speak for me. Where do I get my voice heard on this issue? Which is why I write a blog. Says a lot doesn't it.
http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/videoarchive.htm
Friday, 2 October 2009
SHAM - Autism Bill - Everybody Now Knows!
2 October 2009
Top doctor's autism bill concerns
NI's chief medical officer has said he has "significant concerns" about proposed autism legislation.
Dr Michael McBride said it could lead to discrimination against those with similar disabilities who have not been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
He warned the assembly's health committee that parents could seek an autism diagnosis to access facilities.
Arlene Cassidy of the charity Autism NI said she was "astounded" by Dr McBride's comments.
"I find the chief medical officer ill informed about the purpose of the Autism Bill," she told BBC Radio Ulster.
"This is a good thing, it is about building upon the good work of the departments of health and education - this bill is about joining up government."
Dr McBride said he had a number of major concerns about the Autism Bill (NI).
“ Legislation would encourage more strategic planning regionally across all departments ” Arlene Cassidy Autism NI
He said he was worried about the "substantive administrative costs that would be incurred and the lack of clarity over how the legislation could be put into operation, given our current equality legislation".
"I believe this legislation could discriminate against individuals who could have a similar range of disabilities such as speech, language and communication problems but are not on the autism spectrum," he added.
His comments were backed by director of mental health Dr Maura Briscoe, who warned the committee the bill could create a hierarchy of disability and create labelling "not to the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland".
An action plan to improve services was introduced earlier this year, but Ms Cassidy said legislation was necessary to ensure a multi-agency approach.
"The autism action plan is a positive step forward but it is for the Department of Health - autism is a holistic problem, it is a lifelong problem and involves other government departments," she said.
"People involved in the action plan have found they haven't got co-operation from other departments, so legislation would encourage more strategic planning regionally across all departments."
'Support'
One of the bill's supporters, SDLP assembly member Dominic Bradley, told the BBC he remained confident the bill would eventually be passed despite the objections of Dr McBride and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
"I don't think it's the end of the road - we have the support of the majority of political parties and indeed we did have the support of the Ulster Unionist Party until recently," he said.
Mr Bradley said cross-departmental planning would save money by removing "duplication of effort".
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Maginness, who was involved in drawing up the autism action plan, said introducing legislation would be costly and time-wasting.
"Based on the needs of parents, carers and users rather than the demands of a voluntary group or politicians, we've got a lead autism director in each trust, a project team and will soon be able to assess every two-year-old child in Northern Ireland," he said.
listen live on BBC IPlayer here: (fast forward to 1 hr and 42 minutes for this particular 9 minute clip) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n01vl/Good_Morning_Ulster_02_10_2009/
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8286565.stmPublished: 2009/10/02 08:50:48 GMT© BBC MMIX
**Let's remember Arlene Cassidy's references to 'looking on the bright side', following the Middletown Centre for Autism fallout in May this year.
In this clip from 18 May 2009,(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8056444.stm) Ms Cassidy was asked her opinion over the Middletown debacle. She responded, "maybe this provides us all with an opportunity...I am a great believer in looking for the silver lining and maybe some of the funding diverted to Middletown can be used otherwise."
Yes Ms Cassidy, I agree with you on that one. With regard to the Autism Bill and the exorbitant amount of money it would waste, your previous comments regarding 'diversion' of monies are applicable here too. Let's 'divert' money for this ridiculous bill, to those who need it most, namely our children. Seriously, what has changed for our children in the past 20 years, actually the same 20 years that AutismNI/AutismUlster has been in existence? How many ASD specific schools with trained teachers would the Autism Bill buy? How many youth/adult employment transition schemes would it fund? The comparison of Northern Ireland to the Republic or to England is dire in terms of what is available for our children. We need real early intervention, not half hazard 'attempts'. We need a complete overhaul of the belief systems of those who work with our kids in this province. Our children need so much - legislation guarantees nothing - in fact it might even make things worse by creating a restrictive perimeter around what can/cannot be done.
Autism in Northern Ireland seems to be more about wasting money than anything else. 7 million pounds has already disappeared down the Middletown rabbit hole, much of it having gone into the pockets of Directors.
The fact our 'legislators' allowed 7 million pounds to be wasted, that it was done 'legally' is not very encouraging. What we could have done with that money!!
Let's not make the same mistake again. The Autism Bill is a fruitless, redundant and ultimately damaging idea and I am so thankful that some people in Northern Ireland are seeing sense and that others are finally having their voice heard over the din of others' egos and career ambitions.
Top doctor's autism bill concerns
NI's chief medical officer has said he has "significant concerns" about proposed autism legislation.
Dr Michael McBride said it could lead to discrimination against those with similar disabilities who have not been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum.
He warned the assembly's health committee that parents could seek an autism diagnosis to access facilities.
Arlene Cassidy of the charity Autism NI said she was "astounded" by Dr McBride's comments.
"I find the chief medical officer ill informed about the purpose of the Autism Bill," she told BBC Radio Ulster.
"This is a good thing, it is about building upon the good work of the departments of health and education - this bill is about joining up government."
Dr McBride said he had a number of major concerns about the Autism Bill (NI).
“ Legislation would encourage more strategic planning regionally across all departments ” Arlene Cassidy Autism NI
He said he was worried about the "substantive administrative costs that would be incurred and the lack of clarity over how the legislation could be put into operation, given our current equality legislation".
"I believe this legislation could discriminate against individuals who could have a similar range of disabilities such as speech, language and communication problems but are not on the autism spectrum," he added.
His comments were backed by director of mental health Dr Maura Briscoe, who warned the committee the bill could create a hierarchy of disability and create labelling "not to the benefit of the people of Northern Ireland".
An action plan to improve services was introduced earlier this year, but Ms Cassidy said legislation was necessary to ensure a multi-agency approach.
"The autism action plan is a positive step forward but it is for the Department of Health - autism is a holistic problem, it is a lifelong problem and involves other government departments," she said.
"People involved in the action plan have found they haven't got co-operation from other departments, so legislation would encourage more strategic planning regionally across all departments."
'Support'
One of the bill's supporters, SDLP assembly member Dominic Bradley, told the BBC he remained confident the bill would eventually be passed despite the objections of Dr McBride and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey.
"I don't think it's the end of the road - we have the support of the majority of political parties and indeed we did have the support of the Ulster Unionist Party until recently," he said.
Mr Bradley said cross-departmental planning would save money by removing "duplication of effort".
Ulster Unionist peer Lord Maginness, who was involved in drawing up the autism action plan, said introducing legislation would be costly and time-wasting.
"Based on the needs of parents, carers and users rather than the demands of a voluntary group or politicians, we've got a lead autism director in each trust, a project team and will soon be able to assess every two-year-old child in Northern Ireland," he said.
listen live on BBC IPlayer here: (fast forward to 1 hr and 42 minutes for this particular 9 minute clip) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00n01vl/Good_Morning_Ulster_02_10_2009/
Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8286565.stmPublished: 2009/10/02 08:50:48 GMT© BBC MMIX
**Let's remember Arlene Cassidy's references to 'looking on the bright side', following the Middletown Centre for Autism fallout in May this year.
In this clip from 18 May 2009,(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8056444.stm) Ms Cassidy was asked her opinion over the Middletown debacle. She responded, "maybe this provides us all with an opportunity...I am a great believer in looking for the silver lining and maybe some of the funding diverted to Middletown can be used otherwise."
Yes Ms Cassidy, I agree with you on that one. With regard to the Autism Bill and the exorbitant amount of money it would waste, your previous comments regarding 'diversion' of monies are applicable here too. Let's 'divert' money for this ridiculous bill, to those who need it most, namely our children. Seriously, what has changed for our children in the past 20 years, actually the same 20 years that AutismNI/AutismUlster has been in existence? How many ASD specific schools with trained teachers would the Autism Bill buy? How many youth/adult employment transition schemes would it fund? The comparison of Northern Ireland to the Republic or to England is dire in terms of what is available for our children. We need real early intervention, not half hazard 'attempts'. We need a complete overhaul of the belief systems of those who work with our kids in this province. Our children need so much - legislation guarantees nothing - in fact it might even make things worse by creating a restrictive perimeter around what can/cannot be done.
Autism in Northern Ireland seems to be more about wasting money than anything else. 7 million pounds has already disappeared down the Middletown rabbit hole, much of it having gone into the pockets of Directors.
The fact our 'legislators' allowed 7 million pounds to be wasted, that it was done 'legally' is not very encouraging. What we could have done with that money!!
Let's not make the same mistake again. The Autism Bill is a fruitless, redundant and ultimately damaging idea and I am so thankful that some people in Northern Ireland are seeing sense and that others are finally having their voice heard over the din of others' egos and career ambitions.
IRIS ROBINSON tells us like it is?
Hello dear readers. We are at a major crossroads regarding the future of our children and all individuals who have an autistic spectrum condition who live in Northern Ireland.
Yesterday (1 October 2009) in Stormont, a meeting took place of the Health, Social Services & Public Safety Committee. At 2.00pm a Departmental Briefing on Proposals for the Autism Legislation began. If any of you were party to the proceedings you would be reeling with shock. Why? Kieran McShane, parent and ASD Strategy member suffered a verbal outburst from Iris Robinson, MP, DUP in a discussion about the taking forward of the proposed Autism Bill.
Kieran McShane: "I am a parent and carer and a member of the Autism Strategy. Nothing in this bill is for me. "
Iris Robinson: "You may be a parent but I am an elected representative!"
For those of you out of the loop, there is much afoot regarding autism and politics at the moment and if you have not already done so, you will be very interested in seeing this: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/asd_strategic_action_plan.doc. Go to page 38 to see a diagram of how parents are going to be key to the future decision making regarding our children.
I personally, am appalled and highly insulted that Iris Robinson DUP appears to hold the view of her friend Ms Arlene Cassidy CEO AutismNI/AutismUlster higher than the views of parents, carers and service users.
I cannot equate Ms Robinson's comments yesterday to be based on anything else than what she is being fed by AutismNI/AutismUlster. Who wants this autism bill except AutismNI/Autism Ulster? We have laws here regarding all disabilities and it is my opinion that fear is rising in the hearts of certain organisations both statutory and voluntary that parents are going to be furnished with the power, authority and mandate to shape the future for their own children. Iris Robinson in my view, now has the responsibility to prove to her electorate who she is representing.
If you are a parent, a carer, or an individual with an ASD and you live in Iris' riding,she desperately needs to be re-educated by you.
Does Iris Robinson represent ALL of her constituents who have varying 'disabilities' or does she represent only those with ASD I wonder. Will she fight for legislation for those with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, the blind, and the physically disabled, under section 75? Is she as 'well-acquainted' with the leadership of these groups as she is with Arlene Cassidy? Iris seems to have a lot of time for 'autism' and AutismNI/AutismUlster. I suggest to other 'disability' groups to get cracking and bend her ear equally.
Nothing escapes the attention of parents where politics is concerned. It's not about politics - it's about our children and we are watching, watching very closely.
So many questions. Will the rest of Northern Ireland's carers (185,000) be meted the same treatment as Iris Robinson projected onto Mr McShane yesterday just because she is a political representative? I would not like to think so.
If you would like a dvd copy of the DHSSPS proceedings from yesterday for your own records, you can order your own copy for free by emailing: Sound&Vision@niassembly.gov.uk. In the body of your email advise the proceedings, and the date they occurred. Don't take it from me, watch what is going on for your own eyes.
Yesterday (1 October 2009) in Stormont, a meeting took place of the Health, Social Services & Public Safety Committee. At 2.00pm a Departmental Briefing on Proposals for the Autism Legislation began. If any of you were party to the proceedings you would be reeling with shock. Why? Kieran McShane, parent and ASD Strategy member suffered a verbal outburst from Iris Robinson, MP, DUP in a discussion about the taking forward of the proposed Autism Bill.
Kieran McShane: "I am a parent and carer and a member of the Autism Strategy. Nothing in this bill is for me. "
Iris Robinson: "You may be a parent but I am an elected representative!"
For those of you out of the loop, there is much afoot regarding autism and politics at the moment and if you have not already done so, you will be very interested in seeing this: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/asd_strategic_action_plan.doc. Go to page 38 to see a diagram of how parents are going to be key to the future decision making regarding our children.
I personally, am appalled and highly insulted that Iris Robinson DUP appears to hold the view of her friend Ms Arlene Cassidy CEO AutismNI/AutismUlster higher than the views of parents, carers and service users.
I cannot equate Ms Robinson's comments yesterday to be based on anything else than what she is being fed by AutismNI/AutismUlster. Who wants this autism bill except AutismNI/Autism Ulster? We have laws here regarding all disabilities and it is my opinion that fear is rising in the hearts of certain organisations both statutory and voluntary that parents are going to be furnished with the power, authority and mandate to shape the future for their own children. Iris Robinson in my view, now has the responsibility to prove to her electorate who she is representing.
If you are a parent, a carer, or an individual with an ASD and you live in Iris' riding,she desperately needs to be re-educated by you.
Does Iris Robinson represent ALL of her constituents who have varying 'disabilities' or does she represent only those with ASD I wonder. Will she fight for legislation for those with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, the blind, and the physically disabled, under section 75? Is she as 'well-acquainted' with the leadership of these groups as she is with Arlene Cassidy? Iris seems to have a lot of time for 'autism' and AutismNI/AutismUlster. I suggest to other 'disability' groups to get cracking and bend her ear equally.
Nothing escapes the attention of parents where politics is concerned. It's not about politics - it's about our children and we are watching, watching very closely.
So many questions. Will the rest of Northern Ireland's carers (185,000) be meted the same treatment as Iris Robinson projected onto Mr McShane yesterday just because she is a political representative? I would not like to think so.
If you would like a dvd copy of the DHSSPS proceedings from yesterday for your own records, you can order your own copy for free by emailing: Sound&Vision@niassembly.gov.uk. In the body of your email advise the proceedings, and the date they occurred. Don't take it from me, watch what is going on for your own eyes.
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