Here is a video clip from last night's America's Got Talent featuring 9 year old autistic boy David Militello. He sang Ben by the Jackson Five. He did a great job. He made it through to Vegas. It'll be fun to see how he does on upcoming episodes. David is soooo cute. : )

I think it was about 3 months ago when our only smooth jazz radio staion went from Digital Fm to HD FM. Boy what a disruption in our lives! No warning, to preparing the listeners. Just one minute they were broadcasting the next minute they were off. How could this happen? Smooth jazz and this particular station had been in our son's life all his 10 years of living.

Oh boy, "Change" Did they not know how valuable they were to me and some of my coaching clients? For some of my families I coach on how to live with autism/ manage challenging behaviors. Smooth Jazz was the choice of music I used. I would say," Oh yea, just go to the Smooth Jazz station at 104.3 when their child starts showing signs of behavioral issues." Then what happens? the station goes off the air. So, in order for us to have calm in our home. We ran out and bought a MP3 for our son ( we knew nothing on how to operate). That didn't work, we then tried keeping the laptop on at night with the Smooth Jazz station on (they went HD and Internet). That didn't work with, because the computer cut off after awhile. So, we headed back over to the store and bought a lousy expensive HD radio. It worked (well sort of, it fades in and out at times).

For my household, smooth jazz is the music of choice for us. It keeps our son very calm. He loves listen to Greg Adams, Boney James, Paul Hardcastle, Paul Taylor, Nils, and many more. He knows every artist, and every song, and every album that was played on Smooth Jazz. He goes to sleep with his MP3 player on with all the jazz we downloaded from Rhapsody.  read more »

Hello. I am the very proud mom of Patrick Costello who has Autism. He decided to write a letter to his 5th grade class at the close of this year. I was unaware of this letter. To my surprise his aide Bonnie sent home a copy for me. I can only say that I am proud beyond words! We have spoken very honestly in our home about Autism and I had always hoped that it would help him to understand himself & what he needs in this world.My hope in sharing a piece of our private world is that you will be inspired to see such an amazing young man! We all have struggles daily and uphill battles on a regular basis... stop & please read this!  read more »

How Many IEP Team Members Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

I got this off another list and thought is was funny:

If team members were asked "How many IEP meetings does it take to change a light bulb," this is what I imagine they might say:

Parent - "The light bulb is not the only thing that's burnt out."
General Education Teacher - "No one said I was going to have to teach changing light bulbs."
Case Manager - "If you hadn't wanted so many hours of service in that room, maybe the light bulb wouldn't have burned out."
Transition Coordinator - "I think they cover that in life skills."
Special Education Teacher - "We don't need a light bulb, it's not like they're reading or writing."
Special Education Director - "We'll have to just keep changing his placement until we find a room that has a light bulb."
Resource Teacher - "The side benefit is that we'll have to bring them up from the basement."
Teaching Assistant - "We don't really need a new light bulb, there's enough light coming off the television."
School District Attorney - "The regulations don't require light in the timeout room."
Dean of Discipline - "Is there supposed to be a light in the time-out room?"
Assistive Technology Team - "First, we have to determine that the light bulb's really burnt out and then we can trial a flashlight."
School Nurse - "I don't know how many it will take to change the light bulb, but all the special ed children will have to go home until we do."  read more »