I wanted to put an expletive in the title, but since this is all about respectful language, I didn’t.

The Texas Legislature should soon be removing retarded and other disrespectful language from the statutes.

People first language for all of us, including parents.

I will be providing some parent training at Region 10 in Richardson on May 7. I’ll explain what Texas Parent to Parent does for families, and also the decision-making training I provided in New Braunfels and Corpus Christi last year. More deets to come.

The Learning Together Workshop Series Presents…

Employment for ALL! Customized Employment & the Discovery Process

By Michael Callahan, International Consultant on Employment & Transition

Saturday – April 2, 2011

Session #1 │ 9 – NOON

Session #2 │ 1 – 4

Education Service Center Region XI

3001 North Freeway

Ft. Worth, Texas 76106

SESSION #1: CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT – AN OVERVIEW (9:00 – Noon)

According to the US Department of Labor, Customized Employment is defined as: Individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of the employer.

Participants will leave inspired and empowered with information and strategies that make employment a viable option for persons once thought to be unemployable.

SESSION #2: THE DISCOVERY PROCESS – A GUIDE FOR CUSTOMIZING AN EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP (1 – 4 PM)

The Discovery Process is a strategy used as a substitute to comparison-based testing procedures in that it utilizes already-existing information rather than information developed through formal assessment methods. It takes into account the applicant’s entire life experiences rather than single instances of performance.

Mr. Callahan will review steps need to complete the discovery process. An interactive process that allows the provider to get to know the applicant and to assist in identifying personalized preferences and conditions for employment as well as individual contributions to be offered to employers.

Who Should Attend?

∙ Persons who have a disability

∙ Family members

∙ Education professionals

∙ Transition Counselors

∙ DARS Counselors

∙ Supported Employment Providers

∙ Employers and others interested in making employment a viable option for individuals once thought to be unemployable.

SPACE IS LIMITED, RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

Call (817) 834-7700 or Email arcnetc@att.net

Please provide your name, phone number and session title when reserving your spot.

Mandy Cleveland, Jessica DeLeon, Diana Hatch, Kim Wendt, and Abby Nelson.

I was so excited as Sam picked you, and then crushed when I realized I couldn’t give a book to everyone, but thanks to all for playing!

Since we know all of you that won, we’re going to work hard to deliver the books in person in the next week …. though Jessica, we may be mailing your copy to you. Send me a good address through Facebook, would you, please?

Giving away five copies of the book today via Facebook. Look for the See Sam Run page on Facebook for details.

But there is no vocabulary
For love within a family, love that’s lived in
But not looked at, love within the light of which
All else is seen, the love within which
All other love finds speech.
This love is silent.

— T.S. Eliot

The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County presents…

ASPIRE – Parent Information Meeting
Applied Behavioral Analysis – ABA
Presenter: Billy Edwards, M.S., BCBA
Saturday, January 15, 2011
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County
1806 Haltom Road
Haltom City, Texas 76117

RISE – Families Helping Families Meeting
The Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) Process
Presenter: Jill Stover, PATH Project
Saturday, January 22, 2011
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The Arc of Northeast Tarrant County
1806 Haltom Road
Haltom City, Texas 76117

Learning Together Workshop Series
Transition Transcends All, Creating Meaningful Lives for Individuals who have a Disability
Presenter: Debbie Wilkes, Statewide Consultant
Saturday, January 29, 2011
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
TCU – Dee Kelly Alumni and Visitors Center
2820 Stadium Dr.
Ft. Worth, Texas 76109

For more information, please visit www.arcnetc.org

Peggy: Paige will be there in time for that grand 70th birthday party you’re having.
Peggy’s Mom (via Skype): Oh, that’s great.
Paige: You’re going to be 70? You’ll be the same as Gus in dog years.

Before I pull out my Merry TubaChristmas scarf …

What is the difference between a government bond and a trumpet player? A government bond eventually matures and starts earning money.

This weekend the kids and I went to see the penultimate movie in the Harry Potter saga.

We are all big fans of the books. When Michael was young, he wanted to dress up like Harry Potter for Halloween — and some other days, too — long before the first movie ever came out. I went straight to our local costume shop, Rose’s Costume, where owner Judy Smith and her astute crew had already assembled Harry Potter costume kits from old graduation robes, round-framed glasses and brooms to go.

So, Michael, of course, had already seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 twice, including a midnight opener, by the time all four of us were able to take it in over the holiday.

Sam had warned me that he thought he might not be able to sit through the most challenging scenes. This was a first. I didn’t understand it, until the movie was underway. Even I had to close my eyes during some of those torture and fight scenes. I felt badly that we didn’t sit somewhere to make it easier for him to escape, or to have Michael help prepare him.

Sam didn’t feel like he could stay put and just look down. I understand that — the movie theater experience is about going all in with the story. Still, he said he was ok, and he stuck with it the entire film, just in and out for two hours. He said he ought to be able to tolerate it once we have it at home on DVD.

What is it about the big screen that just pushes the story’s emotional core right to your own?

Oh, and by the way, if you saw it at Northpark, along with those balony anti-vaccination ads that I’ve heard were running then, please do all of us in the autism world a favor and complain. What is with these anti-vaccination people?