• The lovely MarsupialMama from http://autismrocksandrolls.blogspot.com/ tagged me in a meme'. The concept for this particular meme' is info and resource sharing with regards to IEP's. Karen at Solodialogue is creator of the meme and explains here, http://solodialogue.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/the-iep-meme/. Take some time to visit and look around both blogs.


    As Harri only recently turned three I am yet to navigate the mountain of educational challenges. I do however anticipate them with a sense of dread and am thankful to the parents who have shared the strategies and resources that assisted them to ensure their child/ren get access to the best possible supports.


    As Iv'e mentioned previously here I started a Facebook group to support parents who chose or were considering choosing ABA for their kids. It was via one of the mums there that I am able to share the below template for a letter to give to education providers so that they have better understanding of your child's unique personality and quirks and how best to negotiate them. I think this would be a great tool, and I'm sure there's other versions around. I'll certainly be putting it to good use when Harri starts 3 year old kindy this week. Eek!


    I'd love to hear from readers who are happy to share their best tip or resource.

    COMFORT ZONES PROFILE Name: Age: Date: Reporter:  
    Sensory Profile:
    • a. Sensory stimulation my child avoids, is defensive to:  
    • b. Sensory stimulation my child is attracted to; seeks out:  
    • c. Sensory stimulation that alerts my child:  
    • d. Known sensory situations that overwhelms my child:  
    • e. Sensory stimulation that calms my child:  
    • f. Sensory accommodations, or sensory diet, currently used to support my child:  
    • g. Favorite sensory activities for engaging the child in interaction:  
    • h. Other:  
    Cognitive (information) Profile:
    • a. Information processing problems my child experiences: delayed processing processing multiple information simultaneously processing auditory information processing visual information Explain: 
    • b. Best way to present information to my child: Type: (visual, pictures, written, verbal, etc.) How much? (Short phrases, broken down into small portions at one time, etc.) How fast? (Needs 15-30 seconds to process, etc.) 
    • c. Information (topics) that tend to be easy for my child? Difficult?  
    • d. My child tends to have problems: concentrating organizing materials initiating a task staying on task finishing task turning in completed work Explain:  
    • e. Accommodations/supports that have worked well in helping my child learn:
    • f. Other:
    Social Profile:
    • a. What type of interaction style works best to: Engage my child (animated, calm, nondemanding, slow paced, physical contact, etc.): Sooth my child:
    • b. Types of interaction to avoid with my child:  
    • c. Types of interaction that overwhelms my child:  
    • d. How my child handles interacting with: Familiar adults: Unfamiliar adults: Other children: Group activities:  
    • e. My child’s interaction skills: Sharing: Taking turns: Following directions: Referencing others to stay coordinated in action with them: Sharing enjoyment with others: 
    • f. Social situations to avoid for my child:  
    • g. Accommodations and supports that help my child feel safe and accepted with others:  
    • h. Other:  
    Emotional Profile:
    • a. My child’s general level of emotional stability (fairly calm, emotionally over-reactive, etc.) is:  
    • b. How my child expresses: Excitement/Pleasure: Frustration: Unhappy: Sad: Afraid/Fear: 
    • c. My child’s abilities to: Identify and label his emotions: Control and regulate his emotions: Calm after getting upset: Situations that my child becomes overwhelmed by, or over-reacts to: 
    • d. Supports/accommodations that can be used to keep my child from becoming emotionally overwhelmed:  
    • e. Best ways to calm my child when upset; overwhelmed:  
    • f. Things to avoid when my child is emotionally overwhelmed; upset:  
    • g. Other strategies that help my child feel “safe” in general, and in times in stress: 
    Other Comfort Zones (medical, dietary, physical activity, etc.) important to my child feeling safe: Given the above information my child functions the best under the following conditions:

    My child struggles the most under the following conditions:



    As for tagging another, I can't think of anyone better equipped to share their extensive knowledge than LisaMaree at http://hammie-hammiesays.blogspot.com/