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Post by chandler44 on May 23, 2007 13:28:38 GMT -5
You're right I've never taught in HISD, nor do I ever plan on it. Too many scary stories. If they're teaching in Spanish, they're breaking the code (unless it's a Spanish class at the secondary level).
It is shocking that the schools are not spending such a huge chunk of money. People should be outraged.
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Post by texiban001 on May 23, 2007 16:08:20 GMT -5
I have known Coach since 1977. I was there when he met his wife, had his two great kids and cried when I found out about his youngest sons autism. The way the government treats the parents and their autistic children is heartless. They will spend money on educating the illegal immigrant children, providing FREE medical care, welfare, free lunches and a host of other programs for which they should not be eligible! I do not know where Chandler teaches, but I know for a FACT that they DO teach these illegals in their native language 90% of the time. This is WRONG. They should not be taught at all unless it is on the bus back to the border along with their criminal parents. As far as the costs for these programs, if the damned government, federal, state and local would get a set and round up these invaders and send them packing, the programs would have more than enough money to provide these kids and their parents with the necessary help. I am appaled that the person at the county agency asked for an additional $200 just to EXPLAIN the programs. This in and of itself tells me that the government (ALL BRANCHES) do not give a damn about the plight of its' most vulnerable CITIZENS, it's children. I do believe that it is about time for another civil war, us against the greedy, corrupt, insensitive and incompetent government that the average American is just too stupid to vote out of office. You want to know just how this came to be? ? Just go look in the mirror and remind yourself WHO YOU voted for in the last elections. So until you have an autistic child, I would suggest that you keep your dumbass opinions to yourself!
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Post by chandler44 on May 23, 2007 16:59:19 GMT -5
I do not know where Chandler teaches, but I know for a FACT that they DO teach these illegals in their native language 90% of the time. I'm calling shenanigans on this one. I've been in 4 different school districts, plus add in my time as a student, and I've never seen where teachers teach the kids in spanish. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but the notion that it happens 90% of the time is simply a wild guess on your part, and it's not fact at all. Umm...is this directed at me? If so, you seriously need to re-read the thread and what I said, because I said nothing against Coach, nothing against autistic kids or that they need more help. I never disagreed with him, or did you miss that part?
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Post by chandler44 on May 23, 2007 17:21:35 GMT -5
Coach if it came across that I disagreed with you or that I didn't think they should get funded, I apologized. It wasn't what I meant at all.
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Post by Coach on May 23, 2007 17:21:45 GMT -5
I'm not gonna answer for Texiban but your response to me about the kid in your school came off as trying to simplify the problem. It's ok as far as I habe seen type response. Which is what I get on a daily basis and have come to understand as a person not being educated on the subject. It's not your job to know what is happening in regards to Autism and I don't expect you to know as much as I do. I hope that everyone becomes aware of the condition because chances are you or someone in your life will have to deal with it and need support. That's why I guess Texiban has my back.
Texiban has had my son in his home and been around him many many times. He understands what it's like to interact with a severely Autistic person and he's known me long enough to trust what I'm saying about the school districts and government agencies. I want to make it perfectly clear.. I do not blame the special ed teachers, they are doing the best they can with what they have and have my respect.
I hear all this bullsh*t about early intervention being the key. The problem is, they don't have the resources to do much once you get them in the system. My wife and I have been told by employees of the government, that the government does not want you to know everything that is available. You have to ask for specific information about a specific program or it will not be given to you. The only way you find out about anything is from other parents with kids with the same condition.
It's f**ked up and it goes back to people abusing the system. The government can't tell people who need help because the lazy bastards will find out and bankrupt programs.
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Post by Coach on May 23, 2007 17:28:14 GMT -5
Coach if it came across that I disagreed with you or that I didn't think they should get funded, I apologized. It wasn't what I meant at all. I didn't think that at all and I wasn't mad. My responibility in all this is to make people aware of Autism. If I do that, great. If not, great, at least I tried. Texiban has a guy he knows from his job that is in major denial about his son and autism. The guy won't get his son tested and thinks god is going to heal his kid. Texiban is using the knowledge he gained from learning about my son to try and help someone else. I'm proud of him for that even if the guy chooses not to listen. I know Texiban is spreading the word and that helps the cause.
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Post by chandler44 on May 23, 2007 17:30:04 GMT -5
I'm not gonna answer for Texiban but your response to me about the kid in your school came off as trying to simplify the problem. That's 100% NOT what I was going for. I was trying to show a couple of different examples where I've seen schools actually spend the money to get the kid a dedicated aide so they could have one on one help in the classes. I know it's not the best solution, but it's better than just throwing them in there alone or burying them in a special ed class with 20 other kids of varying disabilities. I would never, ever, ever in a million years try to simplify the problem or think that all autistic kids can be grouped under the same umbrella.
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Post by Coach on May 23, 2007 17:36:52 GMT -5
What you saw in those kids is about all they offer even for the kids with moderate to severe conditions. What the kids need is skilled people who get in the face of the kids and are able to get their attention.
I went to my son's ARD meeting and after telling the principal, teacher, and district special ed representatives my state of the autism speech. They told me I should be writing letters to my congressman. My response.... So should you because you are involved in his education to. You coulda heard a pin drop.
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Post by astrobuddy on May 23, 2007 19:25:05 GMT -5
Coach, do you have the numbers on Autism Nationwide? How many does it effect?
Are there no friendly electeds that champion the cause?
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Post by Coach on May 23, 2007 21:12:57 GMT -5
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Post by Coach on May 24, 2007 10:12:08 GMT -5
www.autismspeaks.org/government_affairs/barton_caa.phpChairman Barton Stops Combating Autism Act - For Now The refusal of House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) to move the Combating Autism Act (S.843) from his committee and bring it to the floor for a vote prior to the pre-election recess is a devastating blow to people with autism and their families. However, the fight for this critical legislation continues. In his unwillingness to act on a bill meticulously crafted over 18 months and unanimously passed by the United States Senate, Congressman Barton has decided to put politics before the welfare of our children. Hundreds of senators and congressmembers from both sides of the aisle have met with families impacted by autism, been moved by their plight and signed on in support of the Combating Autism Act. Congressman Barton, on the other hand, allowed his determination to pass his own “NIH reform” legislation, a bill with almost no chance of passing the Senate this term, to supersede any concern for the millions of Americans whose struggles with autism are their everyday reality. His actions also constitute an attack on his congressional colleagues, preventing over 200 congressional supporters of the Combating Autism Act from fulfilling the wishes of their constituents. Autism is an epidemic that now affects one in every 166 of our children, yet federal funding for autism remains woefully insufficient. The Combating Autism Act would begin to address this inequity by authorizing $920 million over five years toward treatment and research into the causes -- genetic, environmental or otherwise -- of the country's fastest-growing childhood developmental disorder. Let Chairman Barton know how you feel! Call Barton today and let him know that it is unacceptable for an elected official to put personal, political interests ahead of your family's needs! Call Rep. Barton today at 202-225-2002. Keep calling until you get through. Let's jam his phone lines and make ourselves heard. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has thus far refused to intervene on our children's behalf. His Office of the Speaker website states: “At home we put children first, and Republicans are doing just that in the House." Ask him to back that up and put S.843 on the House suspension calendar! Call Speaker Hastert at 202-225-0600 and ask him to do what's right for children with autism. Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) has been unwilling to stand up to Chairman Barton! Let him know you expect him to show the leadership it takes to do the right thing for hundreds of thousands of children and put S.843 on the House suspension calendar. Call Majority Leader Boehner at 202-225-4000 today and make your voice heard! Our fight is far from over! Call all three representatives today and let them hear the full voice of the autism community. We will speak for our children, because they cannot. Thank you for your support! For complete information about the Combating Autism Act of 2006, or to contact us, go to www.combatautism.org/. About The Combating Autism Act of 2006 The Combating Autism Act of 2006 builds on the provisions of the Children's Health Act of 2000 and would authorize approximately $920 million in federal funds over five years to combat autism through research, screening, intervention and education. The Combating Autism Act of 2006 is supported by the following autism organizations: Autism One Autism Society of America Autism Speaks COSAC Cure Autism Now Dan Marino Foundation Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation First Signs Generation Rescue The Help Group National Autism Association Organization for Autism Research S.A.F.E. Inc. SafeMinds Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center Talk About Curing Autism TalkAutism The Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology Unlocking Autism US Autism and Asperger Assoc
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Post by ikedilligas on May 24, 2007 15:03:08 GMT -5
FWIW, When I was in high school in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, I was in the vast minority. Probably 85% of the school was hispanic. Surprisingly enough though I only had a few hispanic teachers besides my Spanish teacher. (One was for Calculus and he was and still is anothe Jaime Escalante, but I digress.)
In any case, only once throughout school did I run into issues with being taught in Spanish. It was my Health class, my Junior year, and we had a substitue. Myself and one girl in class were the only two white folk. So the sub took it upon himself to teach that day in Spanish. Thankfully I knew just enough to get by. Of course with it being asub we weren't being taught a lot. The problems came when it was quite obvious that we (the white girl and myself) were being made fun of. I didn't get upset in class but addressed it with the sub after class. I was basically told that there was no way I could understand and just to get over it.
Long story short and a couple of letters to the school board and that sub was released.
Now for 4 years of high school, that happened to me on one single day. And that was in a HEAVILY hispanic populated area too. And I had a fair mix of hispanic and white kids through all my classes, regardless of subject or level.
My point is that I don't believe it happens as often as some might think, but it does happen.
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Post by Coach on May 24, 2007 15:09:56 GMT -5
I saw if first hand when my oldest was in elementary school.
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