The Coffee KlatchThe Coffee Klatch - A virtual cup of coffee for parents of special needs children.

The Five Hundred Pound Gorilla Sitting In The Middle Of The Classroom

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:39:55 +0000

I worry our kids are no longer being taught but instead are being “prepped” for regents and sat scores. There is a five hundred pound gorilla sitting in the middle of the classroom and that gorilla is called anxiety. We are raising a generation of stressed out, depressed, robotic thinkers being taught that scoring and

Different Not Less

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:38:21 +0000

“We have good days and bad days just like everyone else!” tweeted a mom in our Coffee Klatch Tweetchat. Our topic was, “Different is not less! Special Needs children can have a quality life – it may not look like everyone else’s and it may not look how you originally envision it, but it can

FAPE vs FAPE: IDEA & Section 504

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:35:51 +0000

The term Free Appropriate Public Education is thrown around a lot in Public Education. There are two separate laws having to do with disabilities that specifically define this term. It can be found in the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). So what exactly is the

Progression by Blogger of the Week Chrisa Hickey

Admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:24:55 +0000

I’ve spent the past two weekends taking all the paperwork we have about Tim and putting it in chronological order and in to three ring binders. Twelve and a half years of paperwork, comprising every evaluation, every IEP, every page of every inpatient stay of Tim’s life, from Pre-K through last week. It took four,

Inspiring Parents – Where the parents are the experts

Admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:28:10 +0000

Effectively raising a special needs child takes a blend of wisdoms. Our world renowned experts who have been guests on The Coffee Klatch have brought us decades or experience, research and knowledge. They have truly been the best of the best and their dedication to us as parents and our children has been overwhelming.

The DSM-V

Admin — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:41:14 +0000

Well I saw this one coming. I was actually asked in an interview about a month ago what I predicted to be the biggest news story of 2012 regarding special needs children or research and boy did I hit the nail on the head….. the upcoming DSMV. This week has been a frenzy of news

Ten Reasons Caregivers Should Not Fear Therapy by Chynna Laird

Admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:11:22 +0000

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of hanging out with Lorna d’Entremont on The Coffee Klatch. We talked about my memoir Not Just Spirited: A Mom’s Sensational Journey With SPD. The subject from my book we focused on was why caregivers shouldn’t fear therapy. It was a lively and brilliant discussion (check out the

Top Ten Most ridiculous Comments heard at an IEP Meeting via Dennise Goldberg on Friendship Circle

Admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:20:54 +0000

In my job as a special education advocate, and my other job as a parent of a child with special needs, I have been involved in too many Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to count. During these numerous IEP meetings I have met some wonderful, caring, knowledgeable, well meaning Teachers and School Personnel. I have

Calling All Kids Who Would Rather Play With the Infield Dirt Than Catch The Ball

Admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 02:02:45 +0000

Calling All Kids Who Would Rather Play With the Infield Dirt Than Catch the Ball: A post yesterday on Support for Special Needs on “Scouting Inclusion Policies & Special Needs” reminded me of so many attempts at inclusive activities, and how they don’t automatically suit our kids. I know the pendulum is swinging away from

Proposed DSMV Changes and Autism – What Parents and Advocates Need To Know

Admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:54:49 +0000

In May of 2013 the new diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder will be distributed to doctors via the fifth version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5). Think of the DSM 5 as the Bible of diagnostic criteria, developed and written by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). One of the