Communication for kids with mild disabilities can be hard

Jimmy on the first day of third grade.

Jimmy said the most interesting thing to me tonight.  He was really frustrated. Frustrated in writing a simple word in his social studies homework and had a meltdown.  Finally, he blurted out "everything is different!"  I asked, "what exactly is different?" And he replied "everything around me is different!!"  He said this with tears in his eyes.  I asked if it was that things were "different" or that things were "hard"...he admitted that things were hard. We took a break from homework and then came back after a spell, and he felt better and got it done, although he wanted me to be there with him when he did it.  But this was a real moment of true communication for him. Third grade is hard. Difference is hard.  Transitions are hardest of all. 

New National Autism Clearinghouse In The Works

As reported in Disability Scoop:

"A handful of disability organizations are joining forces to establish a national resource center to assist people dealing with autism and other developmental disabilities, a new initiative known as Autism NOW: The National Autism Resource and Information Center will be established by The Arc in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Self Advocates Becoming Empowered with the help of $1.87 million awarded by the Department of Health and Human Services this week. Autism NOW will be tasked with helping people connect with services and interventions in their own communities. A key feature of the new center, organizers say, is that self-advocates will be integral in forming and operating it.
“People with ASD and other developmental disabilities face significant challenges in accessing the supports they need,” said Commissioner Sharon Lewis of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services which approved the funding. “This new center will serve to connect people with ASD and their families to services and activities that promote self-determination, independence and inclusion in the community.”
SOURCE:  Disability Scoop