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Thanks so much to the 1489 people who voted for me in the 2007 Woodbridge Township Board of Education elections! You made a statement. Collectively, we made a statement. Positive change needs to be made in order to better prepare our children for our future. Thank you, again, for your support.
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I started a myspace page a few months ago for the sole purpose of getting free webspace for my Board of Ed. campaign. I lost the race and I am proud that I made them work for their votes to ensure their win.
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So, I started looking around for family, friends and old friends! How cool!
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I have three younger sisters: Michele, Robyn & Jenna. Robyn and Jenna were born when I was in high school and I spent a lot of time with them as they were growing up. The only time with them I didn't appreciate was when they were in their toddler years and ate my lipstick. I can only hope, that throughout the years, I had inspired them as much as they have inspired me. I love my sisters dearly and attribute our closeness to our Mother. She helped instill in us the love of family. Ah...the memories...the laughter...she fostered a great sense of humor in us all. Her strength and courage as a 30 year cancer survivor amazes me. (Love you Mom!)
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Life is so freakin busy. Pete and I married in 1996. Moved to Maryland from 97-2003. Had a son in 2000. He was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism at 18 months old. We moved back to NJ in 03. Pete works at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.
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Life with an autistic child is exhausting. I am constantly advocating for his needs. I am co-president of a special needs parent group. I speak at various venues to raise awareness and help other parents learn to advocate for their own children.
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My life in a nutshell.
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I am a caring individual. I love my family and friends. I am loyal, compassionate, goal oriented, fun loving, silly (at times), responsible, respectful, supportive, understanding and open minded.
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Autism Awareness FACTS!
Ten years ago....one in 10,000
One year ago....one in 166
Today.....one in 150
New Jersey....one in 96
If Autism hasn't touched your life yet...brace yourself...it will touch you or someone you love soon.
~ I'll update more soon.
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The best gifts you can give your autistic child is your willingness to learn the intricacies of the syndrome. Attend parent training courses about behavior modification, ABA (applied behavioral analysis), sensory integration, IEPs (Individual Education Plans), IDEA and law changes(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) and ADVOCACY. You are your child's voice to this world. YES, it is a lot of work, it takes a lot of time and effort. It is worth every moment.
In New Jersey there are several organizations which host training sessions and conferences, many of which are free or provide scholarships.
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poac.net (Parents of Autistic Children)
njcosac.org (Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community)
spannj.org (Statewide Parent Advocacy Network)
xanadubehaviortherapy.com
An informed parent is a fantastic advocate!
~ August 20, 2007
Hello everyone,
I’m in the mood for sharing, so here goes.
Here’s a silly, fun and bright story to share about Preston.
On the 4th of July we went to the mini beach in Sewaren to view the fireworks. There he and his dad found what they think is a dog leg bone. (Ick, I know!) I refused to touch it. Preston kept asking, “Mommy, why won’t you touch the bone?” adding, “It’s not scary.” I responded, “Well, buttons aren’t scary but you don’t like to wear them. So, mommy knows the bone isn’t scary but I don’t want to touch it.” He said, “I told you, I don’t like the way they (buttons) feel.” Then I said, “Well, Mommy doesn’t like the way the bone feels either.”
Several weeks have passed and the bone ended up at the bottom of a toy bin to be resurrected yesterday. Preston approaches me with the biggest smile exclaiming, “Mommy! I found it! I found the dog bone! Here Mommy, touch it.” I said, “Oh Preston, Mommy doesn’t want to touch the bone.” He said, “Mommy, I wore buttons on Saturday. So, you can touch the bone. It’s not scary.” I said, “Preston, you are absolutely right. You did wear buttons and I am very proud of you. I will touch the bone.” And I did. (Inside I am saying Blech. Ick., etc.)
For four years we couldn’t get Preston to wear buttons. Whether they were on a shirt, pants or a jacket, he refused. We recently decided we needed to begin desensitizing him to his button aversion in order to prepare for a possible change in the school’s dress code in the 2008/2009 school year. And this summer he has worn a polo style two-button shirt twice thus far.
Folks with typical children might not get the significance of this situation, which is understandable.
Those of you with children who have these sensory issues, I hope you find the light at the end of one of your tunnels. I can see the light in one of mine and it is indeed bright!
Have a great Day, and SMILE!
~ Victoria