I am sorry to hear about your troubles with the son-in-law. It is hard for some people to accept their child’s diagnosis. Luckily, Carson has his mom’s and your support.

I don’t know much about what’s available in Texas, I’m afraid. Have you been in touch with anyone from the Partners Resource Network? (http://www.partnerstx.org/)

If you’re in Lubbock, it looks like your area center is:
PEN Project
Parent Training and Information Center
1001 Main Street, Suite 701
Lubbock, TX 79401
(806)-762-1434
Toll Free (877)-762-1435
Fax (806)-762-1628
Email: wtxpen@sbcglobal.net

Ask them about parent training and their Parent Leadership Institute, and take any free training courses or workshops they offer. The more you know, the easier it becomes navigating the world of disability.

Also, they posted on their web site information on two support groups held in Lubbock (http://www.partnerstx.org/Support.htm). I hope you and your daughter will be able to join at least one of those groups.

I found parent support groups a wonderful source of information (and support). And because it seems you have moved fairly recently, I am sure you could use some friends who understand what you’re going through.

If your schedule doesn’t allow you to go to either meeting, consider joining the Partners Tx Yahoo Group (http://www.partnerstx.org/Networking.htm).

I’m sorry I’m not able to help, but it’s best if you try to connect with people who live in your area — they will know much more about resources available in Lubbock.

Good luck!

I apologize for the length of my comment. I, as the “Nana” need to understand how to make positive progress in communicating what is at issue for Carson. Or, the children need an impartial party who is assigned the task of reviewing all the reports from the doctors, therapists, school teachers and family, to present to the court on behalf of the best interest of these children. Are you aware of any organization that does this type of intervention and mediation?

We are absolutely sure that our move was the right one to provide the support for Carson. The baby will be evaluated by ECI this week. She is having some indications of delay. Our daughter is working two jobs in order to provide for these sweet children. My husband and I are retired and are helping with their living conditions and helping with care when they are not at school. It’s tough. But, the blessings and rewards of having them in our lives is great.

We need help though. Massive Budget cuts to the programs for autism and developmentally delayed individuals is becoming a reality. Seems our legislative body fails to understand how terribly important these programs are. Isn’t it sad that the people that need assistance the most are the ones that the legislature finds are so easy to cut. Maybe that our Autistic children are unable to speak for themselves effectively makes it easy for these decision makers to forget the importance of them. It is a travesty!

Thank you for listening. And God Bless you for your work on behalf of these children and adults.

You have another chance. You may not be able to remove the sealants on your child’s teeth right now, but knowing the dangers of BPA and dental sealants (how can it not get into our bodies), you can avoid having it done a second time or 8 times during your child’s lifetime. Avoidance is a better principle than being forced to drink fluoride in drinking water (and beverages made from tapped or bottled water). Sodium fluoride alike BPA is a poison forced on the public by vested interests or government bodies to eliminate a waste product by another industry because it might reduce dental cavities. In the case of fluoride, it also increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone cancer in test and humans. The tests found that young males had an increased risk of bone cancer from ingesting fluoride in water meant to prevent cavities. Fluoride also does other things like increase the risk of cognitive damage to children. Children may grow to become brain damaged adults costing society more money and adverse effects.

We pay the risks with our health, while vested industries benefit with profits. Use the precautionary principle instead.

“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the precautionary principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action.” – Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle, Jan. 1998

Your can read this statement at: http://tinyurl.com/6y5gzh9

I recently heard on WBUR, a promotional for dental sealants. Perhaps, that’s one of WBUR’s underwriters. I hope my daughter encourages her new born son to use preventive dentistry in caring for his teeth, and I do not mean using BPA. I mean using the precautionary principle, and brushing after meals with a really good toothbrush like Sonicare, getting to all surfaces and manually removing as much plaque as possible; avoiding ingesting mass medicated beverages –water, which contains toxic buildup over a lifetime of fluoride, using topical fluoride is better, as long as it’s not swallowed. Flossing is great! Avoiding high glycemic treats, chewy dried fruits, grains, which break down into sugars in the mouth and body, and thereby avoiding plastics and harmful dentistry practices.

Dental practices alike the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group are only interested in one thing, their speciality. They are not interested in the wider picture, affecting your son’s health, except for adding their spin. Avoidance is the best policy, in my opinion, and I don’t mean avoiding going to the dentist. I mean avoiding plastics, and foods and beverages that increase the risks of cavities, obesity, diabetes, and other illness attributed to them.

I understand from where you come. My teeth are very white and very soft and have been for my nearly 70 years. If you ask your dentist about BPA, he or she’ll talk about benefits vs the risks. And, then may say, “Name your poison.” The risks to your teeth are slightly different from the cancers to your body from the accumulation of the poisonous materials. Still, as a preventive measure, which is healthier on both counts: Low glycemic foods include most fruits and vegetables, sugar free (and I don’t mean aspartame) yogurts and dairy. They can taste good if your start out life without processed foods or anything that comes in a package.

The dental sealants may break down and need replacement, just like mercury amalgam fillings and actually get into your son’s body. A change in lifestyle on the other hand, may help him become healthier by eating the right quantity of beneficial fruits, veggies and less of bread-like foods that break down into simple sugars in his body and decay his teeth, and by brushing and flossing correctly every day and before bed.

Thanks for commenting (and providing a link to your other site “Snuggle Deep Retreat”). I hope my article does not come out as a criticism — I think you’ve done a great job presenting the nuts and bolts of special education. I just wanted to add information about the very beginning of the process, since that part is rarely covered in articles and even books on IEPs and special education. Keep up the good work! (And I must say I’m sorry you quit your previous line of work. You sound like you were a very good teacher and school administrator.)