Autistic kid finds the solution: The London Eye Mystery

As the recent publisher of a new kids’ book, The Undercover Kids’ Holland Adventure, I am always on the lookout for great books for kids. www.theundercoverkids.com

A recent book review blogger said she only reviews books once they come out in paperback. I guess she reasons that we, readers, only buy books or take books out of the library once they are cheap. And so the reviewer waited a year, when the paperback book was finally published, to finally talk about this kid’s adventure.

She admitted in her review, she missed the mark in this book by waiting the year. And I agree.

Siobhan Bowd’s book, The London Eye Mystery, introduces the readers to Ted, the younger brother of Kat. Ted loves to talk about weather patterns; he has a great memory for facts and has a hand he has difficulty in controlling – it shakes. He also has trouble in dealing with his emotions and can’t seem to quite understand the feelings of others. Dowd creates this character Ted with all the revealing symptoms of autism, but the word is never used to describe him. She talks about Ted’s teacher, who advises Ted to smile when others smile because that will help him make friends. And he is leaning other things to: To look in the direction of people who are speaking to him; to understand that if someone is crying they are having a problem and to try an control his shaking hand.

But through it all, he solves the mystery of the disappearance of his visiting cousin, Salim. Ted’s favorite thing is to fly the Eye. Like a Ferris Wheel, you sit in a capsule with 21 other folks and twist and turn above London. Salim goes on the first capsule while Ted and Kat wait on the ground for Salim to complete his spin. But the brother and sister don’t see Salim get off his capsule. And now the adventure begins.

Dowd is great in getting the true sibling love-hate relationship. We “listen” to Ted work out his frustrations as he tries to get others to listen to the nine scenarios he has created as to what might have happened to his cousin. There is the understanding mom who gets frustrated with Ted’s frantic ways. The dad who bulldozes large building to make way for the new. A crazy Aunt Gloria who uses a long cigarette holder as she smokes.  And Salim’s dad who is an doctor.

The issues of sibling relationships, relationships with moms and dads and a international flavor that we don’t often see in kids’ books. All this, plus the unusual Ted, makes this a must read for kids and their parents.

 I am sorry to report that Siobhan Dowd died of breast cancer on 21 August 2007, aged 47, Just before Dowd’s death, the Siobhan Dowd Trust was set up, where all the proceeds from her literary work will be used to assist disadvantaged children with their reading skills.

The Londone Eye Mystery
Siobhan Down
February 2008

Good News, Bad News

By Patricia S. Phelan, Esq.

The good news is that The State Education Department of The University of the State of New York in Albany [“State Ed”] has just released a memorandum which proposes to amend the current inadequate and vague NYS law regarding required training for candidates seeking certification as a special education teacher.

The memorandum also logically recommends the establishment of standards for approved providers of the training.

Moreover, the memorandum recommends a comprehensive curriculum for the recommended training.  Among other topics relating to ASDs, this training is recommended to include education in socialization skills, communication and skill generalization, functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans, collaboration and cooperation in the home, class, school and community and family supports.

I am thrilled to see these crucial targeted areas included in the proposed curriculum of study.  My experience as a special education attorney has included these areas amongst those which present some of the greatest challenges for children with ASDs.  Enlightenment on these issues by the special educators working with our children with disabilities can only be a help to all involved. Some other beneficial recommendations in the memorandum include:

• Local education agencies [“LEA”] should select at least one person from their school to be the district’s ASD resource for information training – – as I call, the “go to” person;
• LEAs should designate some professional development specifically on serving children with ASDs;
• Veteran special education teachers and school administrators working in special education should get training in ASDs;
• An Autism link should be placed on the State Ed’s web site directing families and school personnel to available resources in autism, including (but not limited to) the Autism Program Quality Indicators, VESID services, and where to go for certain services; and
• Future consideration of amendments requiring preparation in the development of collaboration models for all teacher preparation programs.

Now, for the bad news…  While State Ed is proposing a number of wonderful concepts, the proposed requirement for a certificate or license to teach students with disabilities will require as little as “two clock hours of coursework or training in autism or autism spectrum disorders….”  TWO hours?

Note that existing regulations currently require teacher candidates to generally complete coursework in the area of ASDs and be prepared to teach a range of students with disabilities, including those with ASDs – – there is no minimum training time.

It is also bad news that these guidelines require training only for those studying to be teachers.  It does not require training of pre-existing special education teachers. Well, I guess this is a start.  As my husband says, “You need to walk before you can run!”

Although they did not ask me…my recommendation to State Ed would include the following:  Required reading for all candidates in training to teach students with disabilities, should be the book Autism in your Classroom, By  Deborah Fein, Ph.D. and Michelle Dunn, Ph.D.

In fact, this book would be a priceless resource for any parents advocating for children with ASDs.  It should also be required reading for any current teacher, therapist, administrator or other educator working with children with ASDs.

The first part of Autism in your Classroom, is entitled “What You Need to Know about Autism Spectrum Disorders”.  This introduces the reader to important facts about ASDs, including a description of the disorder, possible causes, and potential treatments.

The second part of the book, entitled “The Student in your Classroom”, guides the reader through strategies and how to intervene on behalf of a child with an ASD.  It also includes an invaluable Frequently Asked Questions section.

Reading this book will enable all of its readers, and particularly those training to be special education teachers, to efficiently and with nominal cost obtain a wonderful foundation in ASDs.  Maybe then, our educators-in-training will be able to benefit from the intense, 2 hour minimum curriculum proposed by State Ed. Speaking as a parent of a child with an ASD, I believe this would be invaluable.

Patricia S. Phelan runs The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan – a practice dedicated exclusively to the field of special education law and advocacy.  Ms. Phelan has been practicing law for eighteen years and is an experienced litigator as well as a parent of a child with a disability.  For guidance about your child’s rights under the law, please contact Ms. Phelan by email at PSPESQ@aol.com or telephone at 914-629-4707.  For more information about The Law Office of Patricia S. Phelan, go to www.Phelanspecialedlaw.com.

A guide to the NYS application process

by Jose E. De Jesus

Determining eligibility to apply for services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities: the process in New York State

In New York State, the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), through its Developmental Disabilities Services Offices (DDSO), determine if a person has an intellectual or developmental disability, including Asperger and Autism, and is eligible to apply for OMRDD services.

In order to have a determination of eligibility, individuals/families/advocates need to submit documents to their County’s DDSO to support the intellectual and/or developmental disability. Following is a list of the documents required.

• A full scale psychological evaluation, completed within the last 3 years, establishing IQ
• An adaptive behavior scale such as the Vineland II or the ABAS II
• A psychosocial report, social history or other background report that indicates that the disability occurred before the age of 22
• A physical evaluation completed within the last year, including diagnosis
• Any specialty reports relevant to the individual (neurological, psychiatric, etc.)
• Treatment summaries or reports from any previous or current psychiatric hospitalizations
• Any previous evaluations referenced in the above documentation (i.e. a previous psychological evaluation)
• Current IEP or Pre-school evaluations

This process is the gateway to apply for services provided by OMRDD, and does not mean that the person is eligible for all the services funded by the state agency.  The determination allows the person to apply for other services such a as day programs when the person transitions from school, residential placement and in-home services. Each service has its own requirements.

Sullivan, Orange, Rockland and Westchester Counties comprise the Hudson Valley DDSO, the local OMRDD agency responsible for the coordination and delivery of services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. I have provided for your convenience the address and telephone numbers for the main office, and for Sullivan and Orange Counties.

Main Office9 Wilbur Road PO Box 470 Thiells, NY 10984 Phone: (845) 947-6100 Fax: (845) 947-6004

Sullivan County 457 Broadway Suite 15 Monticello, N.Y. 12701 Phone: (845) 791-7620 Fax: (845) 791-7624

Orange County 42 Rykowski Lane, Suite 2, Middletown, NY 10941 Phone: (845) 695-7300 Fax: (845) 695-7388 or 695-7398

In Orange you may also access services through the Orange County Department of Community Mental Health by calling 291-2622  or you may visit  http://www.orangecountynyddconnection.com.

Jose E. De Jesus, his wife and three adult children are residents of Walden, N.Y.  Jose has a Master of Public Administration and over thirty years of experience in community mental health – developmental disabilities services, substance abuse services and alternatives to incarceration.

Currently, he oversees community based services in county government for individuals with developmental disabilities, including eligibility determination to apply for services through the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities and the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver.

Jose has been an Adjunct Instructor at Mt. Saint Mary College, Mercy College and Elizabeth Seton College where he taught courses in Social Welfare Policy, Social Sciences, and American History and Government. Additionally he was an instructor of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle’s Drinking Driver Program at Westchester and Rockland Community Colleges. He owns the Driver Safety Institute which operates the NYS Drinking Driver Program; part of New York State’s effort to reduce the personal and property losses caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.