When Kooters Attack

Poor Cassidy. She is such a lover of dogs. When her father's gf moved in with her dog, Kooter Brown I was happy that Cassidy would get to play with a doggy. Well Kooter is an old, unneutered male dog that is not used to children.

She got down on the floor with him yesterday and he attacked her face. It tore the inside of her lip, punctured her nose in two places and bruised her up. She just got back from the doctor and he thinks that she is fine.

We plan on getting together with Jill and Opie this weekend and she is still excited about that so she hasn't been completely turned off to dogs. This picture of her torn up face breaks my heart.

Torn up nose. Bruised face and busted lip. Oh and bloody nose too. Cassidy was attacked by a dog today. She's OK but is pretty beat up. 

It's not easy. 

It's all worth it. 

Another Email from Monica

From: John & Monica Douglas

To: David Bennett

Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 11:24 AM

Subject: Re: Hello

I am glad that the meeting went well. I am glad that Kim didn't budge nor should she ever. DO NOT SEND HER TO NEW CASTLE....EVER!!!! Cassidy needs to be around her general education peers. She will not be able to develop the social skills necessary to be successful if she is not around regular kids.

One of my students with autism has close to a 130 IQ. (Anywhere from 90 - 109 is considered average.) He is now in third grade and doing quite well. He has come a long way since he started in kindergarten. He has made great strides mainly because he has never been pulled away from his peers.

I am glad to hear that the school is providing an aide for Cassidy. She will do fine in kindergarten next year. Don't worry and never stop pushing for Cassidy to be in school with all of her general ed. peers.

Love,
:-) Monica

Fight For Your Right to Paaaaaarty!

Conference for you future!


Backing out of the garage I glanced over to see Cassidy on the front porch bench with my mother. They were laughing and waving at me. I rolled down the car window, leaned out, pointed to Cassidy and declared, "I'M GONA FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO PARTY!" We both laughed and I drove away honking the horn at her as she waved at me happily from the porch.


I got to the school on time, 8:45 and had to wait for about 20 minutes before Cassidy's teacher, Kathy finally came and got me. She led me to a room of about nine other women from the school district and had me sit in the chair next to hers.

I knew I was in for a battle. I had to keep my head clear and remember what I wanted from this conference and not back down until I got it. I knew from the advice of Jill, Monica and a few others that it is her RIGHT to go to kindergarten and I was not going to settle for less. This meeting was to determine what they were going to do for Cassidy next year.

A large aggressive woman in hot pink sat on the other side of Kathy. She was trying to sell me on the idea of sending Cassidy to the "Special" school in New Castle. She told me that a school bus would come to our door and pick her up. I protested that it was too long of a drive for her. She tried to tell me that it would be ok but hell, I have to drive her to school everyday because the bus driver refuses to drive her.

The speech therapist talked to me extensively about tests she had done on Cassidy. The occupational therapist told me about how she struggled to give Cassidy an IQ test and didn't feel that the results reflected much about her true intelligence. I didn't even ask for the results. The behavioral review from last year to this year had improved quite a bit.

Kathy bragged about Cassidy's intelligence and ability to learn and remember things. The speech therapist went on about Cassidy's imagination. We all discussed behavioral issues that make education difficult.

The hot pink lady still kept pressing the idea of sending her to New Castle. I told her that I wanted Cassidy in an educationally challenging environment. She assured me that New Castle was challenging and begged me to promise I would check out the school. I didn't promise. Then she said she had a meeting and I was grateful when she got up to leave.

Someone stopped her to ask if we had decided what to do with Cassidy next year. Hot Pink said I am sure the mother will decide that AFTER she checks out New Castle. Then she left the room. This just pissed me off.

After the door shut I turned to the remaining women at the table. With tears of frustration in my eyes I confidently tapped the table with my index finger in rhythm to my words. "Listen, Cassidy is going to kindergarten. I want her to at least TRY. If she goes and it doesn't work out it will be no good for her to stay in and I will gladly send her to New Castle if I feel it is best. But regardless of what these tests show I KNOW how smart she is and what she is capable of achieving. I want to give her a chance."

I know they are all just frightened of her outbursts and fits. I explained to them just how much WORSE she was last year and that these fits were minor in comparison. I told them that the possibility of them being better by next school year was a definite possiblity.

They all agreed or said nothing and started thinking up ways to make this work for Cassidy. They will continue speech therapy, they will make a behavior plan, she would stay an extra half hour after school for a special class and she would have a personal aid. I asked about the aid and they said they had no one to do it. I told them about Jill. I have no idea if Jill could or would even be willing to go all the way to Middletown for this but I told them I would ask her.

I told them how Cassidy has NEVER responded to ANYONE the way she does to Jill. They gave me a phone number and asked me to get in touch with her and call if she is interested. (If you are reading this Jill email me. I will contact you VERY soon)

Kathy has really been on my side and after the meeting she took me aside and said that she would go with me on a Friday to check out New Castle just to satisfy Hot Pink.

One more battle won.

Autism Waiver Waiting List

Well, I finally have her on the waiting list for the Autism Waiver. I have heard that it can take up to 7 years to get this waiver. When she finally does get it, it will pay for any help she may need as a result of her disorder.

I have to remember once a year to call them at 765-288-6516 and let them know that I want her to remain on this list. If I forget they can take her off.

For information regarding placement on this waiting list in Indiana, contact BDDS Central Office at BDDSHELP@fssa.state.in.us or 800-545-7763.

Finally at peace with a pencil and holding it correctly. 

So I have won the battle! Cassidy is now drawing again and attempting to write the words that she can spell verbally. 

Email Advice Regarding Kindergarten

From:
"Jill Jereb"
To:
kimatkins@insightbb.com
Subject:
Re: Cassidy and Kindergarten
Date:
Tue, 29 Mar 2005 01:10:02 +0000
Kim, Thank you so much for writing back. I can just imagine how scared you
are about Cassidy's future. She does need a strong teacher and some
individual attention from someone who will be persistent and encouraging.
You are certainly that person with her, Kim!! The school environment needs
to be strong!

It is good that you are helping the teachers with her writing
at home. Home is a safe place for Cassidy and maybe when she accomplishes
her writing at home, then she will carry it over into the classroom.
The IEP meeting is right around the corner. Document what she does at home.
Take writing samples. Explain how you get her to do what she does. All
this info will help with her placement next school year.




----- Original Message -----
From: John & Monica Douglas
To: David Bennett
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: HELLO
Ok, Aunt Linda...I am a little slow at checking my e-mail. I am lucky to even have the computer on once a week between working and chasing after the children. I really enjoyed reading all of Kim's comments and seeing the pictures of Cassidy. DO NOT LET THEM STOP HER FROM GOING INTO KINDERGARTEN!!!! They DO NOT have a choice. Cassidy will be fine in kindergarten. Academically, she is ready which is terrific. Even with her behavior problems, they CAN NOT refuse to let her in kindergarten. She will need some accommodations that specifically address her behavior problems as well as a behavior intervention plan. This is all part of her IEP.

If you or Kim ever have any questions, please feel free to ask me. I work with several children with autism. Actually, I deal with behavior issues as much as I do academic issues.

Love,:-) Monica

Jill & Monica- I hope you two do not mind being quoted in this blog but you have both made some important comments that I need to remember.