wrote this early this am

[mattblakk]

I had great intentions of putting the kid to bed last night and doing some school work. We woke up together this morning and had a chocolate chip cookie for breakfast to celebrate. I think I could sleep more, but that will have to wait until this evening.

One more week of summer school.

I start my student teaching in 2 weeks. I'm nervous and excited.

The kid and I are watching Thomas the Tank Engine and I'm trolling craigslist for child care for Blake. Looks like I'd better pray that I can get him in to the after school program at his school, because apparently no one wants to do after school care for a kid with autism.

Still haven't heard from the Regional Center. More calls to them Monday. Hope they might have some help for me and Mr. B as well. I swear they shouldn't make getting services so difficult.

Comments

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

Dude, I wish you lived closer. I'd help you out and I know lots of people who would.

Try an OT school. Lots of OT students need $ and have experience with kids with autism or want to gain that experience. You can go on AOTA's web site to get the names of schools.

Actaully, remind me what part of CA you are in? I have a former sweetie with a kiddo with autism who just moved out to southern CA who is looking for ways to make money.

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

OMG! I just checked-she lives in Davis too! Her user name is silkensteel I'll give her a head's up that you might be contacting her.

[maggielawrence.livejournal.com]

Gosh, Matt. I have my fingers crossed that this possibility works out for you or helps lead you to something that does!

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

Read her journal and looks like she has a j-o-b. Let me know if she's interested in being contacted.

And, thanks.

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

I'm fairly sure she doesn't have a job right now. And I know her husband doesn't. They are home after school for their kids.

I posted to her that you might be contacting her. No rely yet. I'm relatively sure she would at least dig knowing another queer parent. With an autistic kid. In her new town. And she or jnork might be able to help you, especially if you were willing to maybe swap babysitting at other times. Both the girls are really neat.

[silkensteel.livejournal.com]

My job is as DJUSD Lunch Lady, currently a sub in that role. That leaves most standard after-school hours free. I'm pretty well read-up (and have tried) most dietary and unconventional approaches, sensory integration therapies, and I hate Cable TV. :)

[silkensteel.livejournal.com]

Oh, it took a while to reply because I didn't need to review the Chocolate Tempering Post until just now. :)

[cani-dragonfly.livejournal.com]

Yeah for sleep and cookies for breakfast.

I can totally understand your frustration with the Regional Center. They're there to help and yet not so much help goes on. Hope you find daycare for Blake soon.

[evester22.livejournal.com]

Hi Matt
My name is Eva and I have had experience finding aides all my life (I have quadriplegic cerebral palsy). I could give your email address to my mom (since obviously I didn’t hire my own aides when I was Blake’s age) and she will have lots of tips for finding good people. Let me know.
Eva

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping to find someone through friends, but if that fails, I'll be asking for your help.

Thanks!

[sup-mang.livejournal.com]

hi. id like to donate for Blake to get a service dog but i dont have paypal.
can you email me a mailing address so i can send a money order?
thunderpants@verizon.net

[silkensteel.livejournal.com]

It's my experience that Regional Centers in CA are there to pat your hand and say "Yeah, you're doing great, call us if you have any questions and we'll send you the appropriate leaflets."

Hi, I'm "BlancheNonken" on daviswiki.org. Right now we're sharing an apartment down on Olive Dr. Starting in September we're moving into an apartment down around 8th & J. puzzled1 passed on your LJ, noting you were looking for some after school care. Let me know if you'd like to meet and we can discuss what you're looking for. (Hell, if you're part of DFC we may have already bumped into each other.)

Check out catsoul for a bit of our 9 year old's history.

[mattblakk.livejournal.com]

I'd love to meet up.

DFC? (the coop?)

We do, indeed shop at the coop for some stuff.

I start my student teaching next Monday, and have no child care at all. I think I only need to be there a half day, but Blake doesn't start school at Valley Oak until the 28th, so I'll be looking for coverage until then, then I'll need after school care for him. (I'm in class until 5 M-F, except Thursday when I'm in class until 7 or 8pm)

His IHSS hours haven't come through for Yolo county yet, but SF is still paying.

Would you like to meet me and Blake? I'd love to meet you and your family.

Blake is going to be in 1st grade, his first experience out of a SDC. I think it will be great for him, but quite challenging at first.

[silkensteel.livejournal.com]

Um...
I think Mariel's going to be in Valley Oak. Last year she was in a SDC in Irvine, and easily lost a year's worth of behavioral development she'd had in her previous school in PA. Dreadful experience, no lasting trauma or anything but it was NOT what will see her through to a good adulthood. I feel bad for all the kids we left behind.

We're sharing an apartment right now - I'm starting as superworker at the co-op... oh fart, email me at blanche@foolishwisdom.net or something, and I'll pass you my phone number. We can meet, and once we coordinate our seperate schedules I'm sure *something* can be worked out.

[puzzld1.livejournal.com]

*happy dance* I'm so glad you folks may get to connect!

I'm just envious that silkensteel will get to meet mattblakk and Blake in RL before I will. I feel like such a yenta!

Please keep me posted on how it works out.