A Parent's Point of View
Parent to Parent of NYS
Southern Tier Office
210 Twelfth Street
Watkins Glen NY 14891
607-535-2802
Who's Online
We have 5 guests onlineNews and Events
March 2010
Celebrating National Youth Art Month
Franklin Street Gallery
209 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen
Exhibit of artwork from Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour students will be on display throughout March
March 12, 2010
Special Olympics Coach Certification Training
12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Watkins Glen High School Field House
301 Twelfth Street, Watkins Glen
March 27, 2010
Precious Metal Clay (PMC)
Jewelry Workshop
with Heidi Kester
12:30-3:30 p.m.
Franklin Street Gallery
209 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen
$45 per person
Space is limited.
May 7, 2010
Annual Dinner/Membership Meeting
More details to follow.
May 15, 2010
Step Up for The Arc
Walk-A-Thon
More details to follow.
August 20, 2010
Golf Tournament
Watkins Glen Golf Course
More details to follow.
Video Library
Respect- PSA
Born with a Gift- PSA
Autism Myths- PSA
Baby Steps- CDC
Subscribe
Agency News Advocating for Your Child
| Advocating for Your Child |
 |
 |
|
A Parent's Point of View Advocating for Your Child by John P. Cleary January 28, 2010
My wife and I are grateful we are raising our children in a time when so many services are available to them. We have options families just a generation ago would not have dreamed of. With the help of these aides, we're confident our children will find success, have their needs met and live satisfying, happy lives.
But it doesn't happen by itself. Finding and making use of these options requires our active participation, and making sure the right program or course of therapy is applied requires a somewhat adversarial relationship with the world of service providers.
The temptation is to simply let the machinery of the system take over, to let the service coordinators and evaluators and physicians make the decisions about what is appropriate or helpful. After all, day-to-day care of a child with a disability can be hard enough on a parent, let alone worrying about whether or not the child is receiving the proper assistance from outside the family.
But no two children are alike, and nobody knows your child better than you. That special education evaluator who tests your child receives only a snapshot of their abilities and needs. The teacher who observes a behavior in class has no idea how that child acts outside of school. The physician sees your child only in the sterile, controlled environment of the examination room.
It is up to you, the parent, to fill in the gaps. And it is up to you to keep abreast of the supports available. Make full use of your social workers and service coordinators. Push them for more options. It is their responsibility to help you find the assistance you need, but it is your responsibility to continue to question if the solutions are the right ones.
It might mean being pushy. It might mean challenging service plans you don't agree with, or questioning the appropriateness of a prescription or therapy. It means not being afraid to stick to your convictions when everyone else in a meeting sees things a different way.
Remember: You are the parent. Just as you have the responsibility to see your child receives the proper care, you have the power to help shape that care.
Ask questions. Ask other parents about their experiences. When appropriate, involve your child in the decision making.
Most of all, never be afraid to ask for help. The network of services that provide supports for people with disabilities exists because people really do care about helping. But they can't do it without your guidance.
I am learning that caring for children with disabilities requires love, stamina and dedication. It also requires suspicion, diligence and a willingness to fight.
When words hurt, we have an obligation to let them drop from our discourse. Stop using the word "retard," and tell your lawmakers to support Rosa's Law. John Cleary is a former Neighbors columnist for the Star-Gazette.
This is a reprint of an article that appeared in the December 5, 2009 Elmira Star Gazette.
(John Cleary is the parent of children with developmental disabilities and a writer/journalist who resides in the Southern Tier of New York.) |
Newsflash
Franklin Street Gallery to Host Artist Reception WATKINS GLEN - Bradford photographer Steve Cooper will be the subject of the first Up Close & Personal Artist Series reception, Sunday, November 1 at the Franklin Street Gallery and Gift Shop, 209 North Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. The program, which is free and open to the public, is planned for 1 to 3 PM. Light refreshments will be offered. |
| Read more... |
The Arc is Smoke Free
For both health and safety reasons, The Arc of Schuyler operates smoke-free facilities.
Click here for more information on smoking cessation.
