Sunday, October 31, 2004
What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate - Part I
The divorce rate in the United States hovers around 50%. For families who have an autistic child, the rate is said to be 80%. Which is, coincidentally, the same rate as for autistics who marry neurotypicals.
It seems odd to me, even though I've lived through it. When a child gets his or her diagnosis one or both parents go into denial. This is problematic because early therapy is the most effective at minimizing some of the related learning and social difficulties that autistics face.
The parent who is not in denial, or who comes out of denial, finds themselves shouldering the burden of learning about autism, learning about the therapies, learning how to fight the school district, learning how to fight the insurance company. The other parent shrugs and turns on Monday night football.
Resentment is inevitable.
I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, I had lunch with an acquaintance who is also a special education lawyer. She's the mother of an autistic child. She's divorced. She is also burned out. "Every time I pick up the phone, the voice on the other end is a divorced mother," rants she. "I've stopped even asking about the father. It's always the same thing. 'The bastard picked up and moved to Texas.' Why Texas? That's the only mystery in my mind."
My practice is developing the same way. In fact, I don't have a single client whose parents are still together.
Second, I'm not immune to the odds.
I'm just worried about my kids. That is all that is left.
#
When I first started the novel, I took courses on novel writing from the UCLA extension. I did it as much for the enforced discipline as for the feed back. Now that I have the added distraction of the practice, I've decided to take an online editing course. Hopefully, that will help drag the process along.
It seems odd to me, even though I've lived through it. When a child gets his or her diagnosis one or both parents go into denial. This is problematic because early therapy is the most effective at minimizing some of the related learning and social difficulties that autistics face.
The parent who is not in denial, or who comes out of denial, finds themselves shouldering the burden of learning about autism, learning about the therapies, learning how to fight the school district, learning how to fight the insurance company. The other parent shrugs and turns on Monday night football.
Resentment is inevitable.
I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, I had lunch with an acquaintance who is also a special education lawyer. She's the mother of an autistic child. She's divorced. She is also burned out. "Every time I pick up the phone, the voice on the other end is a divorced mother," rants she. "I've stopped even asking about the father. It's always the same thing. 'The bastard picked up and moved to Texas.' Why Texas? That's the only mystery in my mind."
My practice is developing the same way. In fact, I don't have a single client whose parents are still together.
Second, I'm not immune to the odds.
I'm just worried about my kids. That is all that is left.
#
When I first started the novel, I took courses on novel writing from the UCLA extension. I did it as much for the enforced discipline as for the feed back. Now that I have the added distraction of the practice, I've decided to take an online editing course. Hopefully, that will help drag the process along.
Monday, October 25, 2004
A Little Advocacy Lesson - Part 1
I hope that some kind soul will tell me how I can link what I'm about to post so that I can create a bit of "blog lessons" on special education advocacy. I'm over 40 and something of a luddite.
That said, my first statement to any client, or potential client, has been "If it's not in writing, it never happened according to the school district."
My 5th client's mother thinks I'm prescient because of that statement. Three days after retaining me, she got a notice that her son, who suffers from a form of dwarfism, had been failing physical education. Problem was, that because of peer harassment, the son had been allowed to skip p.e. and to work as a teacher's aide in a computer class.
Ooops, no one bothered to put it in writing. District says there never was an agreement. "The failing grade stands", said the narrow minded bureaucrat.
Hopefully, this little bit of litigation is resolved quickly.
RULE NUMBER 1 - GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING
That said, my first statement to any client, or potential client, has been "If it's not in writing, it never happened according to the school district."
My 5th client's mother thinks I'm prescient because of that statement. Three days after retaining me, she got a notice that her son, who suffers from a form of dwarfism, had been failing physical education. Problem was, that because of peer harassment, the son had been allowed to skip p.e. and to work as a teacher's aide in a computer class.
Ooops, no one bothered to put it in writing. District says there never was an agreement. "The failing grade stands", said the narrow minded bureaucrat.
Hopefully, this little bit of litigation is resolved quickly.
RULE NUMBER 1 - GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING
Sunday, October 24, 2004
A Little Bad News - Another Reson My Boys Are Not In Scouting
I witnessed a bit more subtle form of this in the one year that I served as a den leader for my elder, but . . .
Get Lost, Kid!
The Cub Scouts tell the mother of a retarded boy her son's no longer welcome
BY MALCOLM GAYMalcolm.Gay@riverfronttimes.com
By Ryan Hudson
Cub Scout, interrupted: Christopher Lowe-Irby has been kicked out of Pack 765.
Walk through the front yard of Renee and Terry Irby's Charlack home, and a cape-clad jack-o'-lantern crows out, "Happy Halloween!" The Irbys' yard, like the rest of their low-slung home off St. Charles Rock Road, is a frenzied tribute to the upcoming holiday. Plastic skulls peek out from the lawn. There are half-buried femurs, glow-in-the-dark footprints, a triple-stacked pumpkin balloon standing sentry and, of course, reams of orange-and-black window dressing.
But Halloween has been the last thing on Renee Irby's mind since she received a jarring letter from her son Christopher's Cub Scout pack.
"I didn't want to believe that my child had been discriminated against," says the 28-year-old mother of three. "The whole reason I put my kids in the Boy Scouts was to give them a sense of normalcy."
Normalcy has been in short supply for the young couple since they adopted Renee's two developmentally disabled nephews in May of last year. The seven- and nine-year-old boys only added to Irby's already hectic schedule of cleaning houses full-time and raising her three-year-old son. And Irby took on even more responsibility last year when she enrolled her middle child -- who has a low IQ -- in Wyland Elementary Cub Scout Pack 765 and became the "Tiger Cub Leader" for her boy's den.
"After about four meetings, people stopped showing up with their kids," says Irby, adding that the other scout leaders never made her feel welcome. "I felt very alienated the entire year. They kind of kept us separated from everybody."
For much of last year, Irby thought she was being paranoid. But her fears were confirmed last month when she received a letter from Cub Scout pack leaders Tim Huston and Sue Hummert barring her seven-year-old son from meetings and pack activities.
"After much consideration in regards to the Cub Scout program, the [Cub Scout Pack] Committee has concluded that Pack 765 does not offer an appropriate format for your son," states the September 24 letter, which is signed by Huston and Hummert.
"In addition, after observing Christopher's behavior at both den and pack meetings throughout the 2003-2004 school year, and, for both his safety and the other children's safety, we insist that he not attend the meetings or other pack events," the letter continues.
"I got very upset. I cannot believe that these guys are kicking me out because my kid's retarded," says Irby. "I cannot believe grownups are acting like this. This is a very bad example to set for your children."
Huston and Hummert declined to comment for this story, but Hummert did offer that she thought the letter was "not at all" discriminatory toward Renee Irby or her developmentally disabled son.
Phil Ferguson, dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, begs to differ. "Come on! He's seven years old. On its face, it's outrageous, segregationist and discriminatory," Ferguson says. "It's offensive that these leaders would reach this point instead of saying, 'Let's sit down and figure out how we can work this out.' But what really irritates me is that they take that kind of almost restraining-order kind of language -- 'Keep your kid away from our normal kids.' It's bogus."
It wouldn't be the first time the Scouts have banned children its leaders found "inappropriate," says David Newburger, a St. Louis disabilities-rights attorney. In the case of Welsh v. Boy Scouts of America, the Scouts denied membership to a child who refused to pledge allegiance to God.
"In that case the court ruled that the Boy Scouts was a private club," says Newburger, adding that many private clubs are not bound by the dictates of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"I just find it appalling personally, however, that what we have is people arguing that they have a right to discriminate against people," Newburger adds. "What happened to common sense? What happened to the social niceties of people getting along with one another?"
Boy Scout representatives maintain they make every effort to accommodate special-needs children.
"There are many, many stories of accommodation and success," says Joe Mueller, spokesman for the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. "In this case the scout presented some extreme challenges, behaviorally and socially, that required [leaders] to consider the safety of the rest of the scouts first."
But scout mothers who spent months with Irby's son contend the seven-year-old never posed any behavioral problems. "He was a little slower than my child, but he participated just as well as mine did," says scout mother Amy Aubuchon. "He wasn't dangerous, or irate, or anything like that. He sat and did the same activities as my kid. He's a great kid. I never found anything wrong with him."
Boy Scout spokesman Mueller declined to discuss Irby's son's behavior, saying only: "The pack has made a determination. We support the leadership of our packs and troops."
The letter informing Irby of the pack leadership's decision suggested that Irby either ask her son's teacher to start a Classroom Scouting program or that she start her own "special-needs" Cub Scout unit.
Impossible, says Irby. "I basically work sixteen hours a day. I have a full-time job. I'm a cleaning lady. I come home and take care of three kids, two of which are special needs. I don't feel like that's an option. I feel unwelcome to talk to them about anything."
But even if Irby were able to start her own special-needs Cub Scout pack, UMSL professor Phil Ferguson maintains that dividing children into groups based on their mental abilities "ghettoizes" special-needs children.
"That's the kind of solution we've had traditionally: When in doubt, let's create a separate thing and call it equal," Ferguson says. "We have a lot of experience with that regarding minority groups. I would approach this the same way as if they tried to set up a separate African-American troop. It's a cop-out."
The actions of Cub Scout Pack 765 leaders Huston and Hummert appear to contradict the philosophy of the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scout literature goes to great lengths in highlighting the organization's commitment to include children with disabilities, maintaining that there are more than 100,000 registered scouts with disabilities.
"The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities and special needs is that they want most to participate like other youth -- and Scouting gives them that opportunity," reads a fact sheet entitled "Scouts with Disabilities and Special Needs."
"The program for Scouts with disabilities and special needs is directed at (1) helping unit leaders develop an awareness of disabled people among youth without disabilities, and (2) encouraging the inclusion of Scouts with disabilities and special needs in Cub Scout packs."
But local scout leadership is holding firm. "If [pack leadership has] made a decision that the health and safety of their youth members is being compromised -- then we respect that decision," says Mueller, who emphasizes that the scouts have presented Irby with other options. "He could join another pack at another school."
That's cold comfort to Renee Irby, who has yet to tell her son he's no longer welcome at Pack 765 events. "You know what I feel like?" she asks. "I feel like it's all bullshit."
riverfronttimes.com originally published: October 20, 2004
Get Lost, Kid!
The Cub Scouts tell the mother of a retarded boy her son's no longer welcome
BY MALCOLM GAYMalcolm.Gay@riverfronttimes.com
By Ryan Hudson
Cub Scout, interrupted: Christopher Lowe-Irby has been kicked out of Pack 765.
Walk through the front yard of Renee and Terry Irby's Charlack home, and a cape-clad jack-o'-lantern crows out, "Happy Halloween!" The Irbys' yard, like the rest of their low-slung home off St. Charles Rock Road, is a frenzied tribute to the upcoming holiday. Plastic skulls peek out from the lawn. There are half-buried femurs, glow-in-the-dark footprints, a triple-stacked pumpkin balloon standing sentry and, of course, reams of orange-and-black window dressing.
But Halloween has been the last thing on Renee Irby's mind since she received a jarring letter from her son Christopher's Cub Scout pack.
"I didn't want to believe that my child had been discriminated against," says the 28-year-old mother of three. "The whole reason I put my kids in the Boy Scouts was to give them a sense of normalcy."
Normalcy has been in short supply for the young couple since they adopted Renee's two developmentally disabled nephews in May of last year. The seven- and nine-year-old boys only added to Irby's already hectic schedule of cleaning houses full-time and raising her three-year-old son. And Irby took on even more responsibility last year when she enrolled her middle child -- who has a low IQ -- in Wyland Elementary Cub Scout Pack 765 and became the "Tiger Cub Leader" for her boy's den.
"After about four meetings, people stopped showing up with their kids," says Irby, adding that the other scout leaders never made her feel welcome. "I felt very alienated the entire year. They kind of kept us separated from everybody."
For much of last year, Irby thought she was being paranoid. But her fears were confirmed last month when she received a letter from Cub Scout pack leaders Tim Huston and Sue Hummert barring her seven-year-old son from meetings and pack activities.
"After much consideration in regards to the Cub Scout program, the [Cub Scout Pack] Committee has concluded that Pack 765 does not offer an appropriate format for your son," states the September 24 letter, which is signed by Huston and Hummert.
"In addition, after observing Christopher's behavior at both den and pack meetings throughout the 2003-2004 school year, and, for both his safety and the other children's safety, we insist that he not attend the meetings or other pack events," the letter continues.
"I got very upset. I cannot believe that these guys are kicking me out because my kid's retarded," says Irby. "I cannot believe grownups are acting like this. This is a very bad example to set for your children."
Huston and Hummert declined to comment for this story, but Hummert did offer that she thought the letter was "not at all" discriminatory toward Renee Irby or her developmentally disabled son.
Phil Ferguson, dean of the College of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, begs to differ. "Come on! He's seven years old. On its face, it's outrageous, segregationist and discriminatory," Ferguson says. "It's offensive that these leaders would reach this point instead of saying, 'Let's sit down and figure out how we can work this out.' But what really irritates me is that they take that kind of almost restraining-order kind of language -- 'Keep your kid away from our normal kids.' It's bogus."
It wouldn't be the first time the Scouts have banned children its leaders found "inappropriate," says David Newburger, a St. Louis disabilities-rights attorney. In the case of Welsh v. Boy Scouts of America, the Scouts denied membership to a child who refused to pledge allegiance to God.
"In that case the court ruled that the Boy Scouts was a private club," says Newburger, adding that many private clubs are not bound by the dictates of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"I just find it appalling personally, however, that what we have is people arguing that they have a right to discriminate against people," Newburger adds. "What happened to common sense? What happened to the social niceties of people getting along with one another?"
Boy Scout representatives maintain they make every effort to accommodate special-needs children.
"There are many, many stories of accommodation and success," says Joe Mueller, spokesman for the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. "In this case the scout presented some extreme challenges, behaviorally and socially, that required [leaders] to consider the safety of the rest of the scouts first."
But scout mothers who spent months with Irby's son contend the seven-year-old never posed any behavioral problems. "He was a little slower than my child, but he participated just as well as mine did," says scout mother Amy Aubuchon. "He wasn't dangerous, or irate, or anything like that. He sat and did the same activities as my kid. He's a great kid. I never found anything wrong with him."
Boy Scout spokesman Mueller declined to discuss Irby's son's behavior, saying only: "The pack has made a determination. We support the leadership of our packs and troops."
The letter informing Irby of the pack leadership's decision suggested that Irby either ask her son's teacher to start a Classroom Scouting program or that she start her own "special-needs" Cub Scout unit.
Impossible, says Irby. "I basically work sixteen hours a day. I have a full-time job. I'm a cleaning lady. I come home and take care of three kids, two of which are special needs. I don't feel like that's an option. I feel unwelcome to talk to them about anything."
But even if Irby were able to start her own special-needs Cub Scout pack, UMSL professor Phil Ferguson maintains that dividing children into groups based on their mental abilities "ghettoizes" special-needs children.
"That's the kind of solution we've had traditionally: When in doubt, let's create a separate thing and call it equal," Ferguson says. "We have a lot of experience with that regarding minority groups. I would approach this the same way as if they tried to set up a separate African-American troop. It's a cop-out."
The actions of Cub Scout Pack 765 leaders Huston and Hummert appear to contradict the philosophy of the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scout literature goes to great lengths in highlighting the organization's commitment to include children with disabilities, maintaining that there are more than 100,000 registered scouts with disabilities.
"The basic premise of Scouting for youth with disabilities and special needs is that they want most to participate like other youth -- and Scouting gives them that opportunity," reads a fact sheet entitled "Scouts with Disabilities and Special Needs."
"The program for Scouts with disabilities and special needs is directed at (1) helping unit leaders develop an awareness of disabled people among youth without disabilities, and (2) encouraging the inclusion of Scouts with disabilities and special needs in Cub Scout packs."
But local scout leadership is holding firm. "If [pack leadership has] made a decision that the health and safety of their youth members is being compromised -- then we respect that decision," says Mueller, who emphasizes that the scouts have presented Irby with other options. "He could join another pack at another school."
That's cold comfort to Renee Irby, who has yet to tell her son he's no longer welcome at Pack 765 events. "You know what I feel like?" she asks. "I feel like it's all bullshit."
riverfronttimes.com originally published: October 20, 2004
A Little Good News
If one perceives a bit of cynnicsm in some of my posts, one is correct - the predecessor to the IDEA, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, was passed in 1975 as a sort of "have your cake and eat it too" bit of legislation by congress. Congressmen and women (were there any women in congress back then?) were able to point to this law as proof positive of their compassion for the disabled. They could also point to their "fiscal discipline" in that the funding was minimal.
The end result was to pit children against school districts in a 30 year battle that rages to this day.
Still, this law, along with, among others, the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, did have some positive benefits. Up until 1972, many school districts would not allow disabled children to attend public schools. To allow the disabled into schools was perceived as a costly waste of time. They couldn't learn anyway, could they? So why bother.
This attitude led to a certain level of paternalistic bigotry that continues to this day.
Among the disabled, those with autism are the first to face this bigotry. People with autism are difficult to teach because their "disorder" is a constellation of differences. And these differences are unique for each autistic. Trust me, school district administrators hate uniqueness.
Every now and then, however, a story appears that makes me wonder if people are starting get it - the disabled are a part of mankind and should be treated with the same respect and dignity afforded to the non-disabled. Then the bitterness fades for a minute and I have to wonder if the IDEA is making a difference.
Here is one such story.
Acceptance Reigns Along With a King Autistic student wins hearts--and prized homecoming crown--at Culver City High.
By care Mia DiMassa and Zeke Minaya, Times Staff Writers
David Mason crossed his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the announcement that confirmed his dream: This Culver City High School senior, an autistic youth enrolled in the campus' special education program, was named homecoming king after a landslide vote.
Fireworks exploded as last year's king plopped a fake gold crown on David's head. And the crowd in the bleachers cheered wildly.
For the 2,096 students and teachers of Culver City High, Mason's reign as homecoming king tells of a remarkable bonding that has taken place at their school between a small group of special education students and the rest of the student body.
"Even though this school may seem like it's, you know, all about football and all that, we have more respect than you think," said 10th-grader Paul Corker. "The homecoming king contest here is not a popularity contest. We don't just give it to football stars. We give it to people who deserve it."
Autism is a neurological condition with symptoms that can limit a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to the environment. It affects each individual differently and to varying degrees.
One in every 166 U.S. children suffers from an autism spectrum disorder, according to an estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with autism typically have trouble speaking, playing with others and following instructions.
David, 17, has some problems expressing himself and forming social relationships, said teacher Doreen Donahue. "
But he has overcome all of those things in such an amazing way," Donahue said. "He has captured the hearts and imaginations of all the kids at the school."
His special education program has focused on teaching him how to interact with others, including taking some classes with mainstream students."
David is extremely popular, extremely well liked," said the school's principal, Franca Dell'Olio. "Of course the kids are going to elevate him to the king status, because he is just like themÂ…. These students have moved beyond tolerance to acceptance."
David, who is in a class designed for students with moderate to severe disabilities, was nominated to the court by one of his classmates. He had competition; contenders included a football player and a youth involved in student government.
But classmates helped him color posters and hang them around campus. His sister, Tamae, a junior, appeared on a video telling other students why they should vote for her brother and "appreciate him as much as we do."
Some students in the mainstream program say they knew David before the campaign as a 6-foot, 4-inch gentle giant who loves sports. Others met him during his campaign. "He is obviously someone special," said senior Anna Brito, a David supporter. "He's just a really nice guy."
David's mother, Sherrie Johnson, said she wasn't surprised when her son made the final cut last week, assuring him a spot on the court. She was in the stands Friday night for the announcement, fighting back tears.
Wearing a black tuxedo with a gold tie, David led his fellow sovereigns in renditions of "My Girl" and "What's Going On" before they rode onto the field in a limousine. He soaked up the loud cheer that welcomed him when he stepped out of the limo and then strutted down a red carpet toward a small stage along the 50-yard line.
When he heard his name, David's face un-scrunched, his fingers unlocked. His eyes opened wide, and he mouthed the words "Oh my God" over and over.
Tamae Mason said that her eyes started watering the moment she heard her brother's name. It took her a while to gain her voice, she said; "I was trying to say 'Yay, David!' but it was coming out air for the first minutes," she said.
"He was so excited," said homecoming queen Vanessa Rodriguez. "He kept saying, 'My dream came true, my dream came true.' "
Once he was surrounded by family and well-wishers, David crowed a bit. "I am the king!" he cried out. Then, overcome by the emotion, he cried.
"He wouldn't take the crown off," said his mother Saturday. "It was so awesome. David is still riding high."
#
As the special education attorney, I could point out some rather disturbing details, but I think that I will let those pass for the sake of a really nice story.
The writing goes poorly. I am preparing for a trial that starts November 9. It is rapidly becoming an all consuming undertaking.
Hence the lack of blogging.
The end result was to pit children against school districts in a 30 year battle that rages to this day.
Still, this law, along with, among others, the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, did have some positive benefits. Up until 1972, many school districts would not allow disabled children to attend public schools. To allow the disabled into schools was perceived as a costly waste of time. They couldn't learn anyway, could they? So why bother.
This attitude led to a certain level of paternalistic bigotry that continues to this day.
Among the disabled, those with autism are the first to face this bigotry. People with autism are difficult to teach because their "disorder" is a constellation of differences. And these differences are unique for each autistic. Trust me, school district administrators hate uniqueness.
Every now and then, however, a story appears that makes me wonder if people are starting get it - the disabled are a part of mankind and should be treated with the same respect and dignity afforded to the non-disabled. Then the bitterness fades for a minute and I have to wonder if the IDEA is making a difference.
Here is one such story.
Acceptance Reigns Along With a King Autistic student wins hearts--and prized homecoming crown--at Culver City High.
By care Mia DiMassa and Zeke Minaya, Times Staff Writers
David Mason crossed his fingers and squeezed his eyes shut as he listened to the announcement that confirmed his dream: This Culver City High School senior, an autistic youth enrolled in the campus' special education program, was named homecoming king after a landslide vote.
Fireworks exploded as last year's king plopped a fake gold crown on David's head. And the crowd in the bleachers cheered wildly.
For the 2,096 students and teachers of Culver City High, Mason's reign as homecoming king tells of a remarkable bonding that has taken place at their school between a small group of special education students and the rest of the student body.
"Even though this school may seem like it's, you know, all about football and all that, we have more respect than you think," said 10th-grader Paul Corker. "The homecoming king contest here is not a popularity contest. We don't just give it to football stars. We give it to people who deserve it."
Autism is a neurological condition with symptoms that can limit a person's ability to communicate, form relationships and respond appropriately to the environment. It affects each individual differently and to varying degrees.
One in every 166 U.S. children suffers from an autism spectrum disorder, according to an estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children with autism typically have trouble speaking, playing with others and following instructions.
David, 17, has some problems expressing himself and forming social relationships, said teacher Doreen Donahue. "
But he has overcome all of those things in such an amazing way," Donahue said. "He has captured the hearts and imaginations of all the kids at the school."
His special education program has focused on teaching him how to interact with others, including taking some classes with mainstream students."
David is extremely popular, extremely well liked," said the school's principal, Franca Dell'Olio. "Of course the kids are going to elevate him to the king status, because he is just like themÂ…. These students have moved beyond tolerance to acceptance."
David, who is in a class designed for students with moderate to severe disabilities, was nominated to the court by one of his classmates. He had competition; contenders included a football player and a youth involved in student government.
But classmates helped him color posters and hang them around campus. His sister, Tamae, a junior, appeared on a video telling other students why they should vote for her brother and "appreciate him as much as we do."
Some students in the mainstream program say they knew David before the campaign as a 6-foot, 4-inch gentle giant who loves sports. Others met him during his campaign. "He is obviously someone special," said senior Anna Brito, a David supporter. "He's just a really nice guy."
David's mother, Sherrie Johnson, said she wasn't surprised when her son made the final cut last week, assuring him a spot on the court. She was in the stands Friday night for the announcement, fighting back tears.
Wearing a black tuxedo with a gold tie, David led his fellow sovereigns in renditions of "My Girl" and "What's Going On" before they rode onto the field in a limousine. He soaked up the loud cheer that welcomed him when he stepped out of the limo and then strutted down a red carpet toward a small stage along the 50-yard line.
When he heard his name, David's face un-scrunched, his fingers unlocked. His eyes opened wide, and he mouthed the words "Oh my God" over and over.
Tamae Mason said that her eyes started watering the moment she heard her brother's name. It took her a while to gain her voice, she said; "I was trying to say 'Yay, David!' but it was coming out air for the first minutes," she said.
"He was so excited," said homecoming queen Vanessa Rodriguez. "He kept saying, 'My dream came true, my dream came true.' "
Once he was surrounded by family and well-wishers, David crowed a bit. "I am the king!" he cried out. Then, overcome by the emotion, he cried.
"He wouldn't take the crown off," said his mother Saturday. "It was so awesome. David is still riding high."
#
As the special education attorney, I could point out some rather disturbing details, but I think that I will let those pass for the sake of a really nice story.
The writing goes poorly. I am preparing for a trial that starts November 9. It is rapidly becoming an all consuming undertaking.
Hence the lack of blogging.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Deviation
The practice continues to expand. Each child is a unique being with a constellation of strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, school districts refuse to recognize this fact.
For those of you who don't know, all standardized testing is done based on a bell curve. The high point of the curve is average. And 2/3rds of all children are within one standard deviation of that average. It is this group that schools teach to. And God help any child who falls outside of that range.
From a legal point of view, it is better to be more than a standard deviation below the average. Despite its failings, there is a body of law out there that protects the rights of those kids who fall below the 16th percentile.
There is nothing for those kids who fall above the 84th percentile.
Had a parent call me today. Child has an IQ of above 150. Child is bored out of his mind and is acting up as a result. School is threatening to kick him out of school. Not much that can be done until things get to the point of multiple suspensions or expulsion. By then the kid may qualify as emotionally disturbed. And even then, the options are limited. The fact that school districts routinely ignore harassment/hazing of intelligent kids is simply that - a fact. Welcome to the other side of the bell curve.
The novel goes slowly as a result of the explosive growth of the practice. Once again, I hope for balance.
For those of you who don't know, all standardized testing is done based on a bell curve. The high point of the curve is average. And 2/3rds of all children are within one standard deviation of that average. It is this group that schools teach to. And God help any child who falls outside of that range.
From a legal point of view, it is better to be more than a standard deviation below the average. Despite its failings, there is a body of law out there that protects the rights of those kids who fall below the 16th percentile.
There is nothing for those kids who fall above the 84th percentile.
Had a parent call me today. Child has an IQ of above 150. Child is bored out of his mind and is acting up as a result. School is threatening to kick him out of school. Not much that can be done until things get to the point of multiple suspensions or expulsion. By then the kid may qualify as emotionally disturbed. And even then, the options are limited. The fact that school districts routinely ignore harassment/hazing of intelligent kids is simply that - a fact. Welcome to the other side of the bell curve.
The novel goes slowly as a result of the explosive growth of the practice. Once again, I hope for balance.
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Lawyer Novelist Hacked?
I just deleted three posts on my blog that I did not write. If it happens again, I guess I'll have to shut this blog down and find a new password.
The posts did not make any sense, so I don't think they would have offended anyone, but my apologies in any event.
Curious as to whether this has ever happened to anyone else.
The posts did not make any sense, so I don't think they would have offended anyone, but my apologies in any event.
Curious as to whether this has ever happened to anyone else.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
A Little of This, A Little of That
Another well written rant on the state of fiction publishing can be found here - http://maudnewton.com/blog/index.php?p=4175. I know nothing about Maude Newton, other than her words hit home.
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As to the decline and fall of the written word, I spent the afternoon installing a new faucet in the kitchen. The instructions had absolutely no words - just pictures. Very poorly done pictures. Only because I was raised in a lower to middle class household was I able to get the project done.
Growing up, my father refused to believe that there was ever an appliance he could not install. And my sole purpose growing up was to hand him tools.
Needless to say, I don't expect my boys to do the same. Though if they want to hang around, I do end up adding a new dimension to their vocabulary. (Did I mention that Dad was a sailor?) And at last, having tattooed the edge of the garbage disposal on my forehead for the 6th time, I did ask Brandon for a wrench. Got a hammer instead. Surprisingly, it did the job. And beating on the stuck portion of the faucet connection under the sink did great things for my frustration level.
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Editing the novel has gotten tougher. The new law case is far more complex than I was led to believe, nothing new there, but it is sapping the energy that I was putting in to the novel. Add to the fact that I simply do not enjoy editing, and I am starting to get worried. If anyone is/knows a novelist who also has an absorbing, interesting career, I'd love to hear advice.
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Safe flight, Jean, hope you send us a blog card or two.
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As to the decline and fall of the written word, I spent the afternoon installing a new faucet in the kitchen. The instructions had absolutely no words - just pictures. Very poorly done pictures. Only because I was raised in a lower to middle class household was I able to get the project done.
Growing up, my father refused to believe that there was ever an appliance he could not install. And my sole purpose growing up was to hand him tools.
Needless to say, I don't expect my boys to do the same. Though if they want to hang around, I do end up adding a new dimension to their vocabulary. (Did I mention that Dad was a sailor?) And at last, having tattooed the edge of the garbage disposal on my forehead for the 6th time, I did ask Brandon for a wrench. Got a hammer instead. Surprisingly, it did the job. And beating on the stuck portion of the faucet connection under the sink did great things for my frustration level.
#
Editing the novel has gotten tougher. The new law case is far more complex than I was led to believe, nothing new there, but it is sapping the energy that I was putting in to the novel. Add to the fact that I simply do not enjoy editing, and I am starting to get worried. If anyone is/knows a novelist who also has an absorbing, interesting career, I'd love to hear advice.
#
Safe flight, Jean, hope you send us a blog card or two.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Lift Off
I've been away from blog land for a few days because between the novel, practice development and my sons, I've been pretty busy.
My elder has had a number of behavior issues this week and was kicked out of school on Monday. Been having a paper writing war with the district since then. Things finally got under control tonight . . .
Then I got a phone call. From the first client for the practice. No details obviously, but a single father needs help for his child and needs it now. Going to trial in about 30 days.
It's nice to see, suddenly and quickly, things get started.
And so it begins.
My elder has had a number of behavior issues this week and was kicked out of school on Monday. Been having a paper writing war with the district since then. Things finally got under control tonight . . .
Then I got a phone call. From the first client for the practice. No details obviously, but a single father needs help for his child and needs it now. Going to trial in about 30 days.
It's nice to see, suddenly and quickly, things get started.
And so it begins.
