Nurturing Talents

This weekend, I attended the Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Gala. The highlights of their program were the children and clients with special needs dancing, singing and performing dramatic skits. This was in front of an audience of 1,000 people with noise, lights, music and lots of action. There was no shortage of distractions and opportunities for someone to be overwhelmed by the many activities going on.

The acts FCSN presented were received enthusiastically by a very appreciative audience, many of whom know first hand just how much work it takes to get those kids ready for prime time. But they were ready and did a very inspiring job. Some are just happy performers, but some are extremely gifted. For a person with significant disabilities to have the opportunity to showcase their particular talents for others is a rare, but wonderful experience. It is an accomplishment we should not overlook. And we should do everything in our power to offer many more chances. Its good for all of us to nurture our talents and celebrate our capacities to share these with others. And it leaves us feeling the world has just been made a slightly better place!

Heart-Alliance Autism Network Sino-US Exchange

Yesterday, we hosted a tour and luncheon for 15 visitors from Beijing. Most were parents, but also a few professionals were among the group. They were all participants in the Heart Alliance Autism Network Sino-US Exchange Program. This group is fairly recent for China and much needed for families and people who have been feeling very isolated and hopeless with their children with special needs. When I visited the Stars and Rain School in Beijing in 2006, I was struck by the determination and resilience of these families, given the lack of government support.
They are true pioneers in the field of special education in advocating for their children. Even with this alliance, however, it is plainly evident there still is a very long way to go for services to be provided via governmental support.

The group from the Alliance toured our classrooms and carefully noted the materials and instructional work of the staff, asking many questions and looking to implement techniques and ideas in their own work. At lunch, they were full of questions about the IDEA, IEPs, IPPs and all things related to the services our students and adult clients receive. But mostly they wanted to know how best to help other families not feel the overwhelming sense that there is no one else with the same problem. Though we have come a long way here in California, I don't think we're anywhere near where we would like to be. Many parents here still feel isolated and desperate for better services. China seems like it is where we in the US were before the IDEA and the Lanterman Act were passed, both amazing civil rights laws. Yes, things are better here, but far from perfect!