Creatively Ironic

Here's another short description of Autism from Belleview, WA.

Autism is a brain disorder that affects behavior. There are strategies to help but no cure.

The article, Autism supporters stay active, discusses support groups that help parents and relations deal and learn about the disorder. We've never participated much in these groups - although we did a little bit at first. Instead, we dived into the science of behavior analysis.

I like the Google feature that lets you blog from a mobile device. Ideas often occur to me when I'm away from the PC.

The behavioral consultant (BCBA) who leads the team of tutors that works with our daughter turned me onto another great writer and researcher in the area of educational reform. I've found that the educational system in the U.S. (and indeed the entire world) hasn't changed much since the concept of classroom education began back in the 16th century. Glenn Latham wrote an article back in 1997 called Behind the Schoolhouse Door: Eight Skills that Every Teacher Should Have:

Skill #1 The ability to teach expectations.
Skill #2 The ability to get and keep students on task.
Skill #3 The ability to maintain a high rate of positive teacher-to-pupil interactions.
Skill #4 The ability to respond noncoercively to inappropriate behavior that is
consequential.
Skill #5 The ability to maintain a high rate of risk-free student response opportunities.
Skill #6 The ability to serve problem-behavior students in the primary learning environment (that is, the classroom).
Skill #7 The ability to avoid being trapped.
Skill #8 The ability to manage behavior "scientifically."

This is one of the better common-sense appeals to teacher training that I have seen. Sad to read that Dr. Latham passed away several year ago.

I often read discriptions of what autism is and how it effects the child. Here is one of the shorter versions that was published today in an article called Judging Autism by Brandon Walters in Richmond, VA:

... a developmental disability that significantly impedes a child’s capacity to communicate, talk and socially interact with others.

The point of the article was about how judges are recently starting to side with parents on disputes regarding educational placement. I've never been to court with my two kids, but we have had to go to mediation - which in California is a step before going through a due process court proceeding.

This is my first post to the Creatively Ironic blog. I've chosen this name because my friends and co-workers often accuse me of being "sarcastic", however, I beg to correct them that being ironic is much, much different than being sarcastic. Being creatively ironic takes even more work.

I've tried blogging before on various topics of interest about the silicon valley, internet, high-tech, education, and autism healthcare, but decided this time to focus completely on Autism & Education. Six years ago, we discovered that both of our children suffer from this developmental disability.

When I read the news stories that come everyday about autism, I can't help but feel they are leaving many things out. I hope that I can comment several times per week on the latest news and offer my perspective on the interest and merits of the information. I hope you enjoy and learn.