Families Learning about an Autism School Eligibility or Medical Diagnosis during Coronavirus
Sarie describes how explaining the difference between a medical diagnosis of Autism and an educational eligibility under the category of Autism. Two scenarios where this has been important:
1) When a student has a medical diagnosis of ASD but doesn’t meet criteria in the schools for eligibility
2) When an Autistic student is exited from services because there is no longer an educational impact
Sarah shares a bit on Ambiguous Loss and recommends the interview with Pauline Boss on the On Being podcast.
The definition of ambiguous loss:
Ambiguous loss appears without closure and understanding…it complicates the process and often results in unresolved grief.
“It’s never healthy to tell someone how they should feel. It’s never healthy to try to ignore grief. You really need to feel those feelings in order to come out on the other side.” Sarah
Seeing Autism Signs ASHA Article
Advice: Avoid surprising families. Reach out ahead of time to give them a heads up, a draft copy of any relevant documents. This helps avoid the surprise and helps them feel more prepared and comfortable at the eligibility meeting - which is an intimidating meeting!
Last, take nothing personally. Denial, avoidance, etc can be signs of grief. Remind yourself that this is a part of the grief process, while also reflecting on how you can do better next time after the meeting.
Lesson Gone Wrong: Hearing Screenings
Sarie shares how she’s doing hearing screenings for the first time with preschoolers this year, and how challenging it has been. She also shared some tips that helped her - practice on a doll, have the child practice responding with the headphones on the table, and consider alternate responses (rather than hand raising): give high fives when you hear the sound, bell ringing, or hitting a buzzer.
Supporting Those You Love with Active Listening
First of all, if you aren’t feeling well - this may be a season where you’ll need to be supported and you’ll be the support giver at another time. If you feel like you can give support, here are some tips for conversations:
1) Prepare with an intention and know your goal (i.e. to listen without judgement)
2) Don’t listen with the goal of solving the problem or comparing it to something that happens to you
3) Accept the emotions (without trying to change the emotion or solve the problem)
4) Practice reflective listening through summarizing and asking open-ended questions
5) Take care of yourself afterwards
”There are times in life, and sometimes you are the supporter and sometimes you are the supported.” Sarah
This Episode is Sponsored by our SLP Happy Hour Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s Store
This is sponsored by the Early Sounds Boom Cards Decks in our TPT store targeting: /p, b, m, d, n, h, t, k, g, w, ng, f, y/.
