How I Calm Down During A Meltdown by Jacob Klein

Jacob's Disclosure About Autism/Asperger's from Decoration & Design

SlideShare is a social media, content creation and sharing platform. I have been using SlideShare for over six years  and it has evoled into a site that I am proud to be a part of. Slideshare, at one time onlly hosted PowerPoint Presentation. Today they also offer for creative PDF's, emails, brochures, newsletters,movies, info graphs, etc. The PowerPoint above Jacob created when he was 12 years old. He wanted to be able o share with his new teachers each yeat about his diagnosis and the symtopms  he has as well as how he calms dow. The below PowerPoint was created by me as I am a huge proponent of accepting Autism rather than working tirelessly to fnd a cure. Those who do this, in mu opinion, only miss some great strides that their children may make.

Autism - One of my Passionate Interests from Decoration & Design

This is a letter Jacob wrote about how he calms down when he is stemming or very anxious. I truly do love having this time with him because I never know what tomorrow brngs so I am finally about to make the best out of any situation that happens my way. Those people who don't practice this will only fail themselves and be a miserable person.

The Importance of Going To College

The Importance of Going To College

I know for a fact that it's important. You have a statistically higher chance of getting a better job with better benefits, better pay, and a high level of living than people who don't go to college. Also, most of the jobs in the world require a higher form of education than others. Even McDonald's doesn't accept people who don't have a version of higher education. This is taken in account of the higher living costs of today that has about doubled in the past decade or so because of the rise of resource consumption, living costs, and living quality. And the types of yesterday are declining to the jobs of today. Jobs such as nurses, farmers, and metal workers are declining while programming, electronic design, and animation are on the rise.


It seems to show that hands-on are declining while the jobs that aren't hands on are rising. So the fields of today's  jobs are narrowed and more fit for that section then the all-around type of jobs  which has lead to a rise of technical colleges that specialize in certain fields and a lower percentage of people going to 4-year colleges compared to people who are going to technical colleges. So because of hands-on jobs that are declining, people are being laid off because of automated services or businesses going out of business. These people are put on SSI because of losing their jobs and they are given a certain amount of time to find another job. But the problem is because they never learned about this newer jobs and never went to college in the first place or never went back, they are unable to get another job because they don't have the relative information that let businesses hire them.

Sometimes Teens With Asperger's And Social Awkwardness Gets The Pretty Cheerleder

Youth on the high-end spectrum of Autism, formerly known as Aspergers' usually has a higher degree of social awkwardness. This social awkwardness can be doubly hard if the youth doesn't get the positive response they seek. They will then resort to one of two areas - they will retreat to their rooms that are full of solitude and not face the issue of socialization or they will feel the need to dominate a conversation. They will take control of the situation which is not great either as this does not promote "a true give-and-take relationship" **Source

This video really touched me as it portrays many aspects of signs, symptoms, and issues that youth on the Autism Spectrum scale deal with on a daily basis. The first, and most enlightening, is the surprise, gratefulness, and pure joy that the boy shows after realizing what the cake question meant. The video also shows the empathy of some great high school students. It is also great to see that "The boy with Autism can still go to prom with a popular, cute cheerleader" which fills my heart with joy, pride, and hopefulness. Next, it is obvious that the young man is very surprised as if he doesn't believe what is happening. His response is one that seems awkward in some sense but, at the same time, similar to the same way a young man asked to prom by a pretty girl would react.

I decided to write about this topic because of a situation that happened between Jacob and myself. I have been designing websites for a couple of years, teaching myself as I go along. Currently, I am working on two different platforms that I have never used before. When I take on these challenges, I like all the feedback I can get especially since I am teaching myself.

So I called Jacob in the office recently to view a few different options I had developed. First, like many Aspies, he was completely honest with me. He made some remarks that I took as productive and as critical criticism but he felt bad after he told me the truth and started acting very nervous and anxious. I could see it in his body movements, eye contact, fake smile, repetition of the same sentences,  as he paced back and forth around my office, etc. Those are just Jacobs' tell-tale signs of being socially awkward. This scenario brought up some issues that I, as Jacob's parent, needed to deal with and help him overcome the symptoms he feels about being in social situations.

Transitioning in social situations for those with #Asperger's can add another layer to social awkwardness.

Chapter 2 - The Aspie Teens Survival Guide.

When I was younger, I used to be a lot more organized. I used to sort things by type, color, and size when it included something like my video games and things I like. Homework was not so bad till I got older when I would lose paper like people would throw away their change in a fountain. Even now I still have problems but I have preventions in place of that. 

In my IEP, I have a technology assist in it so I can use a computer provided to me to help with organization and with help doing homework. It provides me a lot help then binders, folders, and other substitutes. I am also like the author in that I am a concrete thinker. However I can think abstract, sometimes I just can’t help thinking concrete. The negative part is that I need specific directions on things. Most things I don’t but others I need it. 

For example, like the author’s, when my mom need’s her purse or needs something. I don’t usually know where it is so I ask where. When she tells me, I tend to ask where exactly or close to it. However, I am not always successful in asking or she doesn’t know. The same concept but a bit different from the author is that me and my mom go to the school and talk to the teacher’s and anyone else. I give them a presentation about me and my disabilities and others.  

The thing about tests is that my test studying habits are not good, I tend to not study which will be a downside later in life, but I have trouble with it. I tend to remember information well so I don’t tend to study. Though I acknowledge I need to, I still need to put the effort.  

And I don’t believe in cheating on any scale. I refuse to do so. I don’t think it’s right and it’s not worth the risk. Homework is not a major problem unless it’s on paper, then it will be an extreme problem for me and I will end up losing it. That is this blog post and I believe this was an extremely successful one and informational. I hope you have a good day and a good life. 

Bye bye people.
Signing Off,
Phoenix

Jacob's College Ambitions

Jacob's Thoughts on Exceptional Minds

I am not 17 years old and I am going to be a senior at North Star High School. After that, I want to go to college. My mom found a college that would help me and it's a college that I would love to go. It's a college for people with Autism and they help them learn animation, graphic design, Adobe certification  and more. To be honest, I would love to go. It seems like a great place to go and it can help me with my dreams of becoming an animator. I looked at the website and I feel that I would enjoy my experience there. I admit there's probably going to be classes that I won't understand or like, but I think some of those classes might be necessary to help me. It is located in California and while I am nervous if I was to move there, I think it would be an enlightening feeling. 

It would be an experience that I would enjoy. I feel excited that I have the opportunity to go to a college that can help  me. They have been to several places like Disney, VFX studios, Dolby-Digital and more. Their graduates helped make Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. they take their time with students and most are summer students. Surprisingly, the graduating class of 2014 had 5 students in it. 

Exceptional mids is a technical school that lasts three years, but I think it would be worth it. They have caring teachers that understand the needs of the students and are willing to help them with whatever problem they can solve that can help the student.

I feel that it is the right place for me for several reasons. One, it will help me get the job that I want and have always dreamed of. Two, it can show me a new culture of a state I have never been to while expanding my horizons. And finally, it will be an environment that is comfortable to me and will help me improve my skills in leadership and my social skills.

They don't just help with getting skills for your job requirements. They can help with, as I said, getting you adjusted to a leadership role and to help with your social skills. They are even willing to employ you as part of an actual studio if you can't find a job when you graduate. I think this school would be perfect for me and I will do anything that is necessary to get in. It seems like an all around good school and I hope that I will enjoy getting to meet new people and master my craft. It would be an honor to go to Exceptional Minds. That is what I think and feel about college right now.

This is Phoenix, signing off.

Directory of Transiton Websites

                 

















This has been a great month in our household as we raise awareness and acceptance of those on the ASD. I wanted to leave you with a little more information but also some links for Transitioning your child.

Transition Timeline for Families

Age 14

• Explore future independent living and vocational goals.
• Explore personal interests.
• Obtain Social Security card if not done previously.
• Understand transition and what that means for your child.
• Review transition planning at all IEP meetings.
• Explore public transportation options.
• Explore career options.
• Sample various job opportunities provided by the school.
• Determine recreation, leisure interests, strengths, and needs.
• Identify independent living and self-care needs on the IEP.

Age 15

• Begin indifying appropriate adult agencies in the community.
• Sign releases for the referral to suitable agencies at least annually at IEP meetings.
• Obtain driver permit or State ID as appropriate.
• Evaluate for vocational and related skills and interests.
• Review and update transition plan.

Age 16

• Obtain driver's license, if appropriate.
• Sign releases for the referral to appropriate agences at least annually at IEP meetings.
• Explore part-time and summer employment options, if appropriate.
• Begin job training in community sites or school vocational programs.
• Refer to Vocational Rehabilitation or other appropriate agencies.
• Check with an attorney about guardianship, estate planning or a special needs trust.
• Check progress toward credits necessary for graduation and determine appropriate services and graudation age.
• Review and update the transition plan.

Age 17

• Take college entrance exams and complete applications, if appropriate.
• Sign release for the referral to appropriate agencies at least annually at IEP meetings.
• Apply for SSI in their birth month and Medicaid two months prior to 18th birthday, if appropriate.
• Made graduation plans or certificate of completion and attendance if appropriate.
• Plan for transitiona vocational training after graduation through the school if appropriate.
• Prevent surprises by knowing when graduation is and what services will be in place at that time.
• Check progress towards credits necessary for graduation and determine appropriate services and graduation age.
• Check health insurance needs if leaving school and not entering an 18-21 program.
• Discuss employment options of additional education training options.
• Review and update the transition plan.

Age 18

• Sign releases for a referral to appropriate agencies at least annually at IEP meetings.
• Gather information, review, and identify necessary services, including transportation. 
• Arrange to meet or tour adult services agencies and select appropriate service providers, confirm status.
• Review and update the transition plan.

I have started a Page for Transition Resources and will be adding to it as I found great resources. Do you have a great resource? Just let me know in the comments. Thanks so much!

Transition Web Resources

Please pass this post along. I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,
~ Holley Jacobs

                                     

Transitioning from an IEP to a 504 - Part 2

Here we are, half way through Autism Awareness Month. The time has flown by. I have decided to write a little on the schedule for transitioning. I talked about Autism in its early infliction on our children. This led us down the path of what we need to know for transitioning later in life. The transition from high school to adulthood is the most difficult transition, not because of the young adults inability to be somewhat flexible but because the laws DRASTICALLY change during this period. Your child will go from having many rights under both federal and state laws regarding their education to very few laws to assist them or their families. I want to break it down for you so you can see it side by side.

There is a really simple, easy reading paper regarding the transition stage that breaks down each step very well. Transitioning from an IEP to a 504 can be very difficult and confusing. You should prepare yourself and your child early. After you review the article on this kind of transitioning, please see the LiveBinder that I put together to aid in all aspects of transitioning into adulthood. You won't be disappointed. Remember -
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER FOR AUTISM AWARENESS


Regards,
~ Holley Jacobs                         

Click here to open this binder in a new window.

Adult Transition Success

I have been writing about the transition of young adults with special needs (particularly those on the Autism Spectrum) and have noticed something new in my son. I then did a little research and found other young adults who have also had a positive experience in transitioning.



First, Jacob does not do well with transitioning of anything. It makes him very anxious and uncomfortable so we tend to keep our lives on a pretty rigid program. Jacob works better when he has structure so I was not sure how things would go considering the way the school system works here. The students take classes from August to December and then new classes from January to May. The classes might be the same such as English or Government, but Jacob does not get the same teacher every time. 

Transitioning through this process has been hard during his time in high school. The first year was the worst because he was transitioning from middle to high school which is HUGE for any student but then he had to become accustomed to switching class topics and teacher halfway through the year. That was hard on him and I felt horrible but it was a life lesson that he has to learn to overcome. 

Since that time, he has gradually gotten better at the changes in the middle of the year but it seems as soon as he gets comfortable his life is turned upside down with new classes and new teachers. The PowerPoint that we made is updated each time he gets new teachers and he presents it each time. That has been a plus as far as the changes in classes halfway through the year. He has gained a lot of experience in self-disclosure and feels more comfortable talking to others about his disabilities. I am very proud of him for that. We started when he was 12 years old learning how he can and will disclose his disabilities. 

Jacob has been disclosing some of his disabilities to new friends he makes after a certain amount of time. He has never shown any of them the PowerPoint he did, but he talks with each one individually. He does this so that if they have any questions, they are not discouraged or embarrassed by having others around. This has been great for Jacob's social skills. He now has a "cliché" of friends since tenth grade. Since social skills have always been hard for Jacob, making AND keeping friends is a HUGE accomplishment. I could not be more proud of my only child. There is a fine line between disclosing and being discriminated for it so Jacob's ability to self-advocate is truly remarkable. However, I want to stress that these changes need to be in place from day one of diagnosis. Early Intervention is the key to successfully reached children on the Spectrum to the fullest capacity.

I also found a great little webpage that lists some other youths who have gone through transitions called Stories of Transitions to the Adult World and although the stories of these four people are dated to 2003, they still apply greatly to our children today. As you will read, the author points out how transition to adulthood is hard on every young person. However, then you add having disabilities on top of that and the only thing left as a parent to do is to GIVE MORE SUPPORT. That is my motto and I have stuck with those three simple rules during Jacob's entire life. 

We look at the future and chose to image the best; then we make SMART goals and go from there. This is how we have always focused on Jacob's education and life goals. If you have never heard of SMART goals or could use some support in developing SMART goals, make sure to check out the link. They not only explain what SMART goals are but help you in deciding how to write them. We use the program for his transitioning steps and it has worked great. I am happy to have found this site because Jacob can use the site continuing after high school transition into adulthood. Transition is hard, but not impossible. 

DREAM BIG, CONQUER ANYTHING!! 

Transition Information Part 2 – The Legal System

High School versus College Education for Students with Special Needs

Many areas change during this time. I am going to go slowly and in depth with the different areas of change. Some of the areas that I will discuss in this and other blog posts include legal obligations, accommodations, the role of the parent, confidentiality, self-advocacy, and school areas regarding studying, tests, and how the time spent in school differs.

I thought before I get into the more complicated parts of transitioning that I would use this post series to show what the exact differences are in relation to high school and college when it pertains to the law. This is important information for any parent and young adult to have because many changes happen during this time that if not prepared for them, can cause serious undo stress. My motto is to be proactive and not reactive. Autism transitioning does not have to be a "bad" transition. With knowledge, resources, and a support system in place, helping your child through this transition of high school to college can be made less painful and confusing for all involved.

LEGAL PRINCIPLES

In high school, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA require public education schools to provide assistance with two programs put into place. The first is the section for children birth to two years old while the second program is for those ages 3 - 21 years old. Under IDEA, it is the schools' and parent's responsibility to help children with disabilities to receive an appropriate education with whatever accommodations needed for them to succeed. Each student is required to have an Individualized Education Plan or IEP that tracks their goals and successes throughout their education in public schools. The US Department of Education explain the IEP for you to familiarize yourself with the legal terminology but for a nonprofessional's understanding of the IEP, Understood for learning and attention issues is a better site. I suggest reviewing each site and then you will have a great base of understanding what an IEP is for, how it should be used, and what should be in the IEP.

Transition Starting Day

Transition Starting Day

One Word – UUUUGGGGHHH!!!! Anyone who knows me will tell you that I will fight until the death for my child. They will tell you that I am relentless and probably, at times, embarrassing. Other descriptions include doing whatever is necessary to protect him, even if it means moving 1500 miles away from home (dig...) for his education needs or spending hours on the internet finding laws and interpreting them in order to protect his rights, not just as a child who has special needs, but a child...period. I have made him my number one priority since conception and will always do so.

Today was the first “Transition Meeting” at school and needless to say, if you read the first sentence of this post, I would venture to say you may realize that I am a tad frazzled. No need to worry that is for sure, my son will receive services that will enable him to fulfill his goals just as a neuro-typical youth does. I had to fight tooth and nail in Virginia, however, it wasn’t until this topic and meeting that I have had issues in Nebraska.

One would think that transitioning a graduating student into the multi-facet world of adulthood would rate pretty high on a school’s list of “to do” correctly. I am finding that is not always the case, even here. One of my best attributes (ask those who know me) is being resourceful. I have had to be. I don’t have tons of money to afford private school or lawyers to fight for Jacob. I play all of those roles and I do it with pride, love, and the attention that any child should receive.

Last Friday, I had it out with a few members of the school staff and laid it on the table that my child would be receiving proper services to visualize, plan, and achieve his goal of being a video game designer and getting a degree in 3-D animation. He is like me in this way, reaching for the stars at all costs.

DREAM BIG! CONQUER ANYTHING!