Finding their "Niche"

Perhaps I have written about this before --I feel very strongly about it so I guess it wont hurt to write again!

Our kids struggle thru school and most of them, even those with great "ability", are "warehoused" in Special Day Classes {SDC}. These classes and teachers do the best they can however the days are mired with interruptions and changes not to mention a various smattering of kids with all kinds of disabilities. Nevertheless Our kids get lost in the system and even with close monitoring and a strong IEP graduation comes and they are still not ready for "real life"!

So whats the saying???? When you get lemons learn to make lemonade!
Its sorta the same thing with our kids. When they come out of school you have to analyze and calculate where their "Niche" is. Many years ago Professor Stanley Swartz from Cal State San Bernardino told me that although he knew Dakota had a typical IQ he could not give me a piece of paper confirming that AND that what has to be done for him as well as most of the autistic kids exiting school is to find what they are good at and do everything to get them involved at any level with that activity. You have to expound on their strengths.

Dak is a TV junky-- he loves reality TV and game Shows in particular-- I know it may not be the greatest strength but it is what he gravitates towards.So when trying to assess what he might be good at then this information can be helpful.

Perhaps audio/visual classes at the junior college level, maybe working as a page at a local TV station or an extra in the industry.
What we have discovered is that Dakota is a great audience member. Follows direction well and seems to enjoy the whole process-- so he could potentially join a casting company.

My point is that you have to look at it like the glass is half full not half empty--- look at your child and assess what he/she likes, what he/she pays attention to, what his/her positive abilities are and turn them into a job or at least an activitity that can make them feel good about themselves.

I know this sounds simple.
Seems like everyone should think about these things.
Sometimes we are so overwhelmed with the "day" its hard to think about "next week"! Its all for the kids. Its help for your brain!