In 2020, as Grafton faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many generous donors stepped up to offer financial support. One of our largest donations came from Jerry B…. Read More
This is a guest post from the Researcher & Editor of MuddySmiles.com Play is considered an integral focus of childhood for an important reason. When children play, they aren’t… Read More
In the last two decades, diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder have increased exponentially. The enormous number of children now being diagnosed will grow into a large number of adults. In… Read More
It’s not unusual for a parent to be beaming with pride when their child wins an award. So it may not surprise you that I am incredibly proud of my… Read More
As an organization that has worked with individuals with Autism for the past six decades, it’s no surprise that Autism Awareness Month is top of mind at Grafton. As a… Read More
Often, when we think of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the individuals who come to mind are children. But in the last two decades, diagnoses of ASD have increased exponentially.[1] The… Read More
By Jessica Judd, Grafton Adult Services Community Engagement Program Manager Parents are fixers. It’s what we do. If something isn’t going right for our children, we take the bull by the… Read More
I was lucky to have been raised by two of the most resilient people I have ever met. My dad was injured in a body surfing accident when I was 21 months old, but somehow my parents rebounded stronger than ever and showed me a life I could never have imagined without my dad being in a wheelchair.
N-o. Those two letters trigger an emotional response in all of us. Being told “no” changes the course of our thought processes. Some people respond by accepting rejection and moving on. Others will hear “no” as an opportunity for negotiation or reframing their request. Some take it personally, as a repudiation of their ideas, their desires, or even their worth, and can react by lashing out or retreating inward.
1) I’m sorry.
I will be saying this to many of you many, many times over the next 10 years. I will say this to you probably weekly, if not more. And I really am. I’m sorry.
I’m sorry because I am the reason you have my child in your class. I fought for him to be mainstreamed because all of the doctors and specialists told me that being in the least restrictive environment among peer models would be best for my son’s development.
I’m sorry because I know that you aren’t trained for this.
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