It has been three years since I've posted on this blog about Logan. If you read my other blog, you will know what has gone on in our life, so I won't go into details here.
Logan is doing well. I will begin to look at placement for him in a regular school after the first of the year. He is blowing through everything that they put before him at SBSA. This does make me happy, as he is a bright kid and I want him to be successful in his life.
I'm not sure what schools that I will look at, although Tree of Life is on the list. Going to Columbus Public is the very last thing I want to do. The school that he would go to is Huy, which is on academic watch. Sad, as they just rebuilt that school a couple years ago.
He's a happy nine year old boy, who loves me, and I love and adore him. There are times that I wish I could have his mindset and outlook on life. He helps me keep my head on straight, and happy. We've been through alot together this year, and we'll go through alot more as we travel down that road.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Saturday, February 21, 2009
A Logan Update
While I'm sitting here working on a few projects, and Melissa is asleep, I thought I'd give an update on Logan.
Currently, he is doing well at Step By Step. He was moved to a classroom setting back in December. He is doing very well in it, and his inability to talk to new people seems to be going away. He has even made a few friends in this setting, which he talks about all the time. One of these friends is a huge Star Wars fan like him, so I'm happy about that, that they have something in common.
The state continues to try and play games with some of the families at SBSA, including mine. Since the US Court injunction, Logan lost his medicaid. He was supposed to be moved to what they call Blind Medicaid, but the paperwork was never finished, and it fell through the cracks. Since we found this out at the end of November, we have tried what feels like hundreds of times to contact them, and we have not heard one response from them, either by phone or letter, save for a letter we got this week about a face to face meeting, which Melissa cannot attend due to her medical condition.
Logan doesn't really know what is wrong with mommy. I don't think he could comprehend the entire situation. It's possible in this case that it's a good thing he has Autism. It does seem strange to me to say that. She's currently having treatment right now, and he's out with a BT from the center that has volunteered her time to help us out so I can focus on Melissa and the other things around the house that need to be done.
Currently, he is doing well at Step By Step. He was moved to a classroom setting back in December. He is doing very well in it, and his inability to talk to new people seems to be going away. He has even made a few friends in this setting, which he talks about all the time. One of these friends is a huge Star Wars fan like him, so I'm happy about that, that they have something in common.
The state continues to try and play games with some of the families at SBSA, including mine. Since the US Court injunction, Logan lost his medicaid. He was supposed to be moved to what they call Blind Medicaid, but the paperwork was never finished, and it fell through the cracks. Since we found this out at the end of November, we have tried what feels like hundreds of times to contact them, and we have not heard one response from them, either by phone or letter, save for a letter we got this week about a face to face meeting, which Melissa cannot attend due to her medical condition.
Logan doesn't really know what is wrong with mommy. I don't think he could comprehend the entire situation. It's possible in this case that it's a good thing he has Autism. It does seem strange to me to say that. She's currently having treatment right now, and he's out with a BT from the center that has volunteered her time to help us out so I can focus on Melissa and the other things around the house that need to be done.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Quick Update
I've been remiss in this blog, although there is nothing really going on. The only new item about Logan is that he has moved to a more group setting for his therapy. This has been a good thing, although he is regressing in a few areas. We are working on them, but it's tough to do under the current situation that Melissa and I find ourselves dealing with. More on that is in my personal blog here
As time allows me, I will try and get a better update to this blog.
As time allows me, I will try and get a better update to this blog.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Columbus Walk for Autism
Yesterday was the first annual Columbus Autism Speaks Walk for Autism. This even was well attended, as, from what I've heard, over 9000 people showed up in support of Autism Walk. As of the last time I looked at the site, over $390,000 was raised online. This doesn't count what was donated yesterday onsite. The event itself was great, as they had several activities to keep everyone busy. For Logan and I, the best was when the Star Wars characters came out.
The walk itself was great, just about a mile and a half. It was an awesome day to go out and walk.
There was also a resource fair for various services and groups willing to assist families who have the diagnosis, but are unsure what is out there, or for those looking for more information. Step by Step was there with a booth, as well as many other providers.
I am excited to see what the final tally is for the walk. They had a great turn out for the first walk, and I hope that next years is even bigger and better.
The walk itself was great, just about a mile and a half. It was an awesome day to go out and walk.
There was also a resource fair for various services and groups willing to assist families who have the diagnosis, but are unsure what is out there, or for those looking for more information. Step by Step was there with a booth, as well as many other providers.
I am excited to see what the final tally is for the walk. They had a great turn out for the first walk, and I hope that next years is even bigger and better.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Walk
Just to drop a line to let everyone know that I'll be updating this blog tomorrow with pictures and a first hand account of the Columbus edition of Autism Speaks Walk for Autism. So far, over $350,000 has been raised and it's still going up.
I'll post some pictures tomorrow.
I'll post some pictures tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Walk for Autism
On October 12th, 2008, Autism Speaks is going to hold a Walk for Autism at the Schott on the Ohio State Campus. Along with my wife, we have seven people currently ready to walk to support this great cause. We are also having a friendly competition with a local celebrity, Jerod Smalley, whose son is also diagnosed with Autism. He and his wife blog on a regular basis about their life with Brady, their son who was diagnosed with Autism a little over a year ago.
If you wish to donate to myself, anyone on the Step by Step team, click here and then choose who you wish to donate to. Autism Speaks is one of the best advocates of Autism in the country, if not the world. The money raised at this walk will go towards research, advocacy, and also to families who need help with their children with Autism, among other things. Also, eighty cents of every dollar raised goes towards these efforts.
Lets help raise the Awareness.
If you wish to donate to myself, anyone on the Step by Step team, click here and then choose who you wish to donate to. Autism Speaks is one of the best advocates of Autism in the country, if not the world. The money raised at this walk will go towards research, advocacy, and also to families who need help with their children with Autism, among other things. Also, eighty cents of every dollar raised goes towards these efforts.
Lets help raise the Awareness.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The state is struck down again
The state of Ohio has been attempting to change the way autism services are paid for by Medicaid. Participation by states in the Medicaid system is voluntary, but once you join in, you have to follow the federal guidelines. Gov. Strickland seems to think that with the way payments are done with Step by Step, which is the only 1 on 1 ABA service in central Ohio for children with autism, does not comply with the federal guidelines. However, each arguement he and the ODJFS/MMRD consortium come up with, makes the case for SBSA stronger.
On July 1st, a federal judge placed a restraining order against the rule change that the state was to go into effect that day that was proposed by ODJFS and MRDD. This would have effectively cut funding to SBSA, and threatened several other centers. Those children affected would have to go back on waiting lists, and any progress they made would slowly erode away.
Needless to say, the state asked the judege to recind his ruling. That judge yesterday said that his ruling stands, and the state will now go to appeal. Judge Grahm said when refusing to recind the restraining order said that changes the state proposed "may have the effect of denying many children, not just the plaintiff children," access to needed services. (Source: Columbus Dispatch website). He also stated at the July 1st ruling that the plantiffs (SBSA, and other parents of children with Autism.) have a very good case against the state.
I'm sure Gov. Strickland is upset that he's been beaten back again. His continued assualt on services in this state that help children should not be tolerated by the citizens that he serves. While I do understand that we are in a budget crunch, some of our more vunernable citizens need to be protected. Helping many of these children to learn skills and contribute to society in the future is something that we can't look at from an accountants glasses. Right now, 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of an autism sprectrum disorder. That number will only go up. We must act now to help them mainstream into society.
On July 1st, a federal judge placed a restraining order against the rule change that the state was to go into effect that day that was proposed by ODJFS and MRDD. This would have effectively cut funding to SBSA, and threatened several other centers. Those children affected would have to go back on waiting lists, and any progress they made would slowly erode away.
Needless to say, the state asked the judege to recind his ruling. That judge yesterday said that his ruling stands, and the state will now go to appeal. Judge Grahm said when refusing to recind the restraining order said that changes the state proposed "may have the effect of denying many children, not just the plaintiff children," access to needed services. (Source: Columbus Dispatch website). He also stated at the July 1st ruling that the plantiffs (SBSA, and other parents of children with Autism.) have a very good case against the state.
I'm sure Gov. Strickland is upset that he's been beaten back again. His continued assualt on services in this state that help children should not be tolerated by the citizens that he serves. While I do understand that we are in a budget crunch, some of our more vunernable citizens need to be protected. Helping many of these children to learn skills and contribute to society in the future is something that we can't look at from an accountants glasses. Right now, 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with some form of an autism sprectrum disorder. That number will only go up. We must act now to help them mainstream into society.
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