Inclusion and more

As a person who has autism, I follow the following things to succeed on the job. 1.   I start the day on the right foot I arrive at Christ Lutheran School on time at 10:00am and check-in with Miss Hollie Bailey, who works at the front desk and serves as my contact person for the school. I check in and see how she's doing and if there are any office tasks. From 10:00am on, I follow the schedule my job coach made for me on my phone as that's okay at the school.  2. I say hi to the teachers, admin team and students (and occasionnally I see CLS parents who I know on campus) When I am walking around Christ Lutheran School's campus, I say hi to students, staff and the school's administration team. My family has  known many of the teachers for several years while many teachers are new. Several years ago, we hosted a CLS holiday (Christmas) party for the teachers at our old house so I've known some of the staff since then.   I often see CLS parents who I know on ...

When I was at Chaparral High School one year, one of my teachers noticed I looked different skin color wise during a club meeting. That saved my life. After school, my mom and I rushed off to get a chest X-ray  and soon after that my mom received a call from our pediatrician Dr. Campbell. She said that something was wrong with my lung and that I needed to be rushed to Phoenix Children's Hospital. We did just that and I was immediately hooked up to a chest tube.  Elan Meshkatai, Lindsey Eaton and Emma Kitnick at PCH Although I was in pain, I had many visitors who came to see me and made me smile. I also had nurses and doctors go gave me TLC. They made sure I was comfortable and that I was free of pain that came with the chest tubes. At the hospital, they had dogs that would come in and visit with the Child Life support team.  I was in the hospital until Thanksgiving and then I got out. The surgeon who treated me said I could have a re...

These days disABILITIES are more prominent than you know.  Autism is one of the most known disabilities. Followed by Down Syndrome and other disabilities. In many cases, people with disabilities are bullied, teased and ostracized at school. When a school fosters an inclusive environment for people with disabilities,  people with disabilities want to come to school and learn.   Below is a resource about DISABILITY AWARENESS People First Language is the ability to put the person before the disability. So you'd say He has autism or he is in a wheelchair .  Organizations like Best Buddies which I am a part of, are huge believers in PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE!  Click the link below to view a chart of PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE:  People First Language chart DISABILITY AWARENESS IDEAS School-wide assembly: Many public and private schools across the US host disability awareness assemblies. During assemblies, they have a person wit...