Interview with local TV station : Watch it!

So many events this past month and all for Autism Awareness Month! I did an interview with the local TV station as well! I was pretty nervous but beyond excited to share this information with my community! 

I'm the first person being interviewed. :)


Watch and share!
http://www.rogerstv.com/page.aspx?lid=237&rid=51&sid=1993&gid=93815

Check It Out!

I had the pleasure of doing an interview with the local paper (Brampton Guardian)promoting Autism Awareness Month and am super excited to share the article with all of you! 


It highlights the benefits of children with Autism and other disabilities using technology!


Give it a read, leave some comments, and don't hesitate to share with others!


Thanks!
Ms. Jam


http://www.bramptonguardian.com/community/article/1337055--special-needs-kids-get-tech-savvy

Happy Autism Awareness Month!

Sharing the love with everyone around the world!

Spreading the word on Autism Awareness.

Afternoon Readers:

These past few weeks I've been doing my part as an advocate and promoting Autism Awareness Month.

I felt in my community that there wasn't enough being done  to educate others about Autism or acknowledge the members in our city. 

So I set out on a mini quest to do my part for my students, for my family, and for the individuals I support under the spectrum. There was a fire within me that couldn't be put out until I felt I spread the word in some way.

The first group I decided to focus on was the students in my school. As I've mentioned before, I am a Teaching Assistant and am blessed to work with 4 FANTASTIC boys. They keep me on my toes, make me laugh, and most importantly remind me why I love what  I do.  

I approached the Principal and asked him if it would be allowed to do a school project for Autism Awareness Month. After all, we do have several students with ASD and when it comes to every cause under the sun, our school always does their part to show their support. If we could fundraisers, walk, and wear pins for Cancer, food drives, and bullying, then why couldn't we do our part for Autism Awareness Month. I couldn't figure out a good enough reason why we couldn't and so the planning began. :)

Goal #1: Our school has over 400 amazing and creative students. I figured the best way to promote Autism was through art. In the front entrance of our school there is a large display board. My goal was to have that entire board covered in colorful puzzle pieces! I encouraged the students to write what they felt Autism was and how to treat our friends who have it. The end product was absolutely amazing. 

One parent who's son has Aspergers, stopped in front of the board and told her son, "See this? This board is for you. It's for us. They do care about you." I felt at the moment that our school had made one person feel like  they had an army of supporters standing behind them. 

So far we were up to 300 puzzle pieces!

Goal #2: Was to have a mini presentation on what Autism was for the entire school. I felt the students would have a better understanding of certain typical ASD behaviors if I compared it to situations they experience on a day to day basis. For example, when describing how children with ASD like to play with certain toys and  have an attachment to them, I asked the students to raise their hand if they had something they loved to play with as well. As predicted, all of their hands shot up into the air. When told that children with Autism often like routines and things to be predictable , I asked the students how they would feel if they sat at the same desk everyday and played with the same friends and suddenly someone came and changed everything without them knowing. There was an instant reaction from the students. "No way, Ms. Jam! They can't do that!"  I explained to everyone in the room that there are things that we like and ways we behave which isn't too different then what someone with Autism may do. I truly felt that at that moment, the students were able to take something away from them and hopefully have a better understanding of their peer with ASD.

Goal #3: GO BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH! Monday, April 2, 2012 students and staff dressed in blue to show their support for the start of Autism Awareness Month. It was amazing to see the entire school come out in full force to show their support!

I then targeted the local media and did a special on Autism and am currently working on an article for our city newspaper.

As a Developmental Services Worker, Teaching Assistant, Consultant and Advocate, this is what needed to be done. If we want the world to not be ignorant towards Autism, we need to educate them!

Happy Reading and don't forget to share the word!

Ms. Jam

Today's Topic: Support Staff

As I've said before, I've been working in the field for 9 years. I've been a summer camp leader, a programmer, and a respite worker. All these positions have given me the opportunity to work with families and numerous individuals all with unique backgrounds, stories, and personalities. 


I'm sure most of you with children who have attended a camp or needed respite support have both positive and negative stories about the type of support staff your child has had. It can go both ways; you either get a staff who goes beyond the call of duty or you have the staff who is simply working for a pay cheque. 


So today parents/guardians, I ask you to share your stories of past support workers. What qualities do you look for in a staff? What advice do you have for those who wish to improve their skills or perhaps their professionalism? 


I look forward to hearing from all of you!


Ms. Jam

Calling all Parents!

The inspiration behind this blog has always been for the children I work with day to day. They motivate me, push me, and inspire me to find new and innovative ways to help them learn and get by in 'our world'. But behind each of those children, stand proudly, their parents. 

Can we just have a moment to give a round of applause to the parents out there? KUDOS to you! You absolutely deserve it.

I love working with my client's families. I could sit for hours listening to their stories both good and bad, and brainstorming new ideas to help their situation. 

Sometimes I feel like the best way to help the child is to help the parent. I could come up with a million behaviour plans, strategies, and routines for a child and do it all day at school. But if the parent/guardian isn't on board with me and not implementing these ideas at home, then we may just have a problem.

So, to kick things off, I'm calling out to the moms, dads, aunts/uncles...whoever supports a child with a disability to share your stories with other readers’ right here on Ms. Jam's. Post your questions, comments, concerns and together, we'll find a solution. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you.