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on Finding Solutions: Arts Education
There are several community music groups (that I know about) - The Beaverton Community Band, the Tualatin Valley Community band, the Get a Life Marching Band, the One More Time Around Marching Band. There are also the Portland Area Casual Jams meetup, and the Portland Area Blues Jam meetup, which are less formal than the other groups I mentioned.
Some of these groups are open to all ages. I expect that if/when music programs are cut in the schools, community organizations will form to fill in the need.
In the meantime, let's not forget that parents are still the biggest influence on the things their kids do. Even if you can't afford pro music lessons, don't you know someone (yourself perhsp) who can teach the basics of music on an instrument? Can you get several families together to pitch in and pay for group lessons with a teacher? Maybe throw in with some homeschoolers?
There are lots of good books, CDs, and online videos to help beginners, even if you can't find a teacher.
It's great that we have institutions to make these kinds of things available to students, but it isn't all or nothing - we can support the arts outside of the institutions. Portland (and surrounding areas) has a lot of talent and skill - why can't we come together as community and support the things we value?
posted 2 years, 12 months ago
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on No More Asperger's?
I had the same reaction to The Big Bang Theory. The audience is supposed to laugh at the earnest, sincere behavior of the characters?? I find that incredibly offensive.
I recall watching "Head of the Class" when I was a kid. It's not on DVD so I can't revisit it, but as I recall, it was much more sympathetic to its characters.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on No More Asperger's?
I have a 12yo son (6th grade) who is gifted and, yes, has "mild" Asperger's. His traits are severe enough to warrant an IEP and special ed, but not severe enough for us to seek a medical diagnosis. He is in the SCC (Social Communication Classroom) program in Beaverton, and it has been a godsend for him.
In 4th grade (when he first went to school; we homeschooled previously) he was constantly in trouble, and had lots of difficulty, mostly sensory, in the school environment. In the SCC classroom, where he was placed in 5th grade, it was calmer, quieter, and he received the constant feedback he needed to learn to regulate his own behavior.
The schools and his teachers have always been very supportive and positive, and he has not been targeted for bullying by other kids.
For us, it is enough that the school recognized his impairment, and didn't require a medical diagnosis. Though he has a vague idea that he has Asperger's, I rarely use any label when talking about him where he can hear.
I don't give the "live up to your potential" speech, but I do say that I expect him to control himself, and to act in ways that don't get him into trouble. I also point out to him that certain behaviors can help him keep friends or avoid making himself a target, but I let him decide for himself how he wants to present himself.
posted 3 years, 3 months ago
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on Animal Assistance
I really don't understand what the problem is. The law is pretty clear on service animals. Is Madison a service animal by this definition? It seems so, from what the mother said, and what was reported in the Oregonian.
Madison is well trained by a reputable group, there are safety measures in place so the dog doesn't get aggressive with other kids, etc. Clearly autism is a disability by any definition - it's in the diagnositc manual and there are clear diagnostic criteria. If the school has any concerns, then a clearly defined agreement can be part of the IEP.
That's what the IEP is *for*! Social goals should be part of the IEP, since social issues greatly impact the quality of a child's education. They can say that the dog will be there on a trial basis of a couple of months at which point his presence will be re-evaluated, for instance.
I find it very frustrating that school districts (and not just here) seems to think that they only have to provide a minimal education and they fight tooth and nail against parents of kids with autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc (the less well-known problem, in other words). These parents only want their kids to get a good education! Shouldn't the school district have the same goal??
It is shameful that the fight can be so draining that many parents decide that it's just easier to homeschool. Why can't we provide a decent education for everyone who wants it?
posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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on Reading the Northwest Weather
Something I've been wondering about is what the effect of global warming might be on our local climate. Our climate seems to be driven by the ocean and the jet stream, and the heat waves seem to come from the desert (east). Should we expect more heat waves, or more moisture because of increased evaporation from the ocean, or...?
posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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on The Inner Lives of Boys
My son had a disasterous 2 months in kindergarten, so for this (and other reasons) we homeschooled until 4th grade. He's always been very kinesthetic - we taught him math using pennies, and building towers out of dominoes, and moving tokens around onthe floor tiles...
He is in 6th grade now, enjoys computer programming (in python), reading, science fiction, astronomy, making things, etc, etc. I'm teaching him algebra at home. He thinks it's amusing to not display his "smartness" to other kids - I think he likes being underestimated - but he understands that it's important that his teachers know what he is capable of doing.
posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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on The Joy of Knitting
If you knit niche designs, maybe you'll be more likely to be able to sell your work. For instance, the lady who knitted the clothes for the Coraline character. Or the person who knitted this wonderfully creative baby clothes set: http://www.gearfuse.com/hand-knit-zelda-baby-clothes/
posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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on The Joy of Knitting
As for economics, you can search online for instructions on how to search for suitable sweaters from thrift stores that you can unravel and use the yarn. In this way, you can get 1 1/2 pounds of (for example) good merino yarn for $3.50.
From a single merino sweater, I have made (so far) two pairs of socks, a scarf, and a few bookmark samples. I still have lots of yarn left.
posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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on The Joy of Knitting
I learned to knit with my 9yo daughter about a year ago by looking online for videos and tutorials. We figured out the instructions together and over the course of a weekend, we were able to grasp the basics.
Looking for something more "mental", I went to the library and found books on lace, color, mosaics -- all sorts of wonderful techniques. But socks really caught my imagination. The complex topology, the "magic" as a heel suddenly appeared after following arcane short-row instructions, and the calculations needed for sizing and adapting pattern stitches were all pretty exciting.
Online, I have found inctructions for different kinds of cast-ons, toe-up techniques, diffrent kinds of heels, and so forth. For me, the Internet has been very essential for my learning process.
posted 3 years, 9 months ago
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on Life After Special Ed
I have a child in a Social Communication Classroom in the Beaverton School District. This is a program for high functioning autistic kids (such as those with Asperger Syndrome) who need some extra behavioral or emotional support in order to succeed in school. My child (who is also TAG) is learning to control their impulses, to work in a small group, and to handle the overstimulation of a busy classroom. I am very much involved with their progress and speak to their teacher regularly. I feel very strongly that parents need to have an attitude of being a partner with the teacher in order for the child to succeed. I also continue to provide academic support and challenge at home, because I know the school can't do everything.
I am confident that my child will be able to be in a regular classroom full time in a year or two, exactly because they have been given support and encouragement in the SCC class. This is an excellent program.
posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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