Welcome

2011 Videocasts are hosted by Daily Motion. Our 2012 shows are hosted by PodOMatic.  You can scroll down and click on the images or links to listen or go directly to our site at http://specialstormradio.podomatic.com/ to see all the 2012 podcasts.

Welcome to Special Storm Radio, a weekly internet radio show on a variety of special needs topics, mental diagnoses, parenting skills, education, marriage and family, childhood illnesses/cancer:  if it is a special story that may help others, you will hear it here on Special Storm Radio!  Listen to the podcasts of our show!

Commercials and music have been removed on the 2011 video podcasts to eliminate any copyright infringement.    All of our previous shows will be here on this web page.
Commercials from web host Daily Motion are beyond our control.

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The Blessed & The Trapped

Many times we forget that there are two categories of moms raising a child with Autism. There are those that are blessed financially and feel trapped (sometimes) and the other is those who are in a financial trap and feel blessed (sometimes.)

Trapped- is there a light at the end of the dimly lit tunnel of financial despair? When can I work ( a real job)?… you know the kind of work I am speaking of, the one that you can afford to pay for some healthy life choices, like buying deli meat instead of Spam in a can, or leaving the jerk you have to stay with because it is better to be emotionally compromised then homeless with an Autistic child.

Believe it or not there is a speck of light at the end of 22 year old tunnel to the beginning of financial bliss, where you can begin to live life in your 30s, 40s, when your child becomes an Adult because they go off to college, or get married to some rich boy/girl and you wave good-bye as they drive off and you walk slowly back into your home to microwave your first TV dinner and sigh, thinking ” its only been five minutes and I already feel like I’m having empty nest syndrome.” …… sorry wrong ending. The good news is , you will never have “empty nest syndrome” you will always have your child , now adult giving you the most pure form of unconditional love.

So buckle up … literally! tighten those money belts because unless you choose a group home option or have great family and friends who will help out for the long haul , finding and keeping a “real job”, going or finishing that college degree, might just be a dream you can write about.

to be continued… like the song that never ends, it goes on and on my friend…

#”its not about a salary , its all about reality”

What are you/we going to do about this?

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”― Mahatma Gandhi

 

UNBELIEVABLE!

Hello Friends!

I know that I have been gone for several months now, which I will elaborate on another post. The nice surprise was to see Special Storm Radio continues to be  going  strong with nearly 7,000 listeners world-wide!

Here is my dilemma, the dot com domain is now $1,700 which is astounding to me, because it was only $18 to keep the domain the previous years. I really cannot believe this has happened. Therefore it will remain with the wordpress domain until further notice.

thank you for your support!
Melissa

AUTISM & ABA EXPERT ON SPECIAL STORM RADIO TODAY!

TODAY on SPECIAL STORM RADIO- we will have AUTISM & ABA expert Dr.Sinead Peterson on! tune in LIVE U.S.A E.T at 12:30 by clicking here http://frmedia.org/radio365/popup ! 

join us for an interactive session while on the air, by pressing LIKE to our FB page- https://www.facebook.com/SpecialStormRadio?ref=stream

 

Sinead Petersen Ph.D., BCBA-D., LMHC
Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

 

Dr. Petersen obtained her doctoral degree from Simmons College. She has over fifteen years of experience working with children with Autism and other Developmental Disorders. Dr. Petersen served as Clinical Director for a private school serving children with Autism. She also was responsible for creating and overseeing several public school Autism programs. These programs were designed to serve children that would be at risk for an out of district placement.  She has also worked as a school and home-based behavioral therapist, has overseen home-based programs, designed training protocols for ABA therapists and supervisors, and consulted with families and schools. Her interests include verbal behavior and parent training. 

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2.4.14 – The Common Core Curriculum & Autism On-Line Education

2.4.14 – The Common Core Curriculum & Autism On-Line Education

Please excuse the open song for the show, which was beyond our control 😦 an edited podcast is in the making and will be posted. Melissa brings the audience on a two-part journey on Education with a focus message on ” DO YOUR RESEARCH!” * Are you a power parent? do you know what is out there in the education world? How can we protect our kids and steer them in the right direction of education? Answer- through our research and instincts. 
If something doesn’t sound right to you or you get a gut feeling, what do you do? 
Listen to this show Part 1 and Part 2 and make an hypothesis then take action for what is best for your child and others.

Part 1- On the Common Core Curriculum –

Meet – Jane Wilcox, a retired elementary school teacher, a wife, mother and grandmother. 
Jane became concerned about the newly adopted Common Core Curriculum after she did some intense research on it. She then found out she wasnt alone and that there were many others concerned about the ambiguity and questionable education standards that were being “pushed” for states to use by the government. 
Jane went further to get the word out and wanted to educate people on both views of the Common Core. She then became a founding member of the Common Core Study Group in Massachusetts and organizes presentations with educational professionals. 
The focus of the group is to bring the “truth” to the discussion on Common Core so that parents can make the best decision for their children. By examining both sides of the issue they are open to anyone who, respectfully, offers facts and opinions. 

Part 2- Introduction to Autism On-line Education

with founder of http://autismsmilesllc.org/- Jasper Steed , who also carries an Autism Diagnosis. Jasper shares the mission and beginning of on-line Autism Education and invites parents and professionals to take a “leap of faith” and try his self designed school, who has a special focus on children who are non-verbal.

1.21.14 On Autism- New Signs & Symptoms – What every parent should know!

1.21.14 On Autism- New Signs & Symptoms – What every parent should know!

 

Melissa introduces returning guest Lisa Smith, Advocate for children with ASD and a parent who has successfully navigated the special education system and services and desires to share what he has learned with our audience! tune in to this show , as we review the signs and symptoms of Autism from the earliest developmental stages and where you can go from there- there is HOPE!

1.13.14 Atty. Katherine Martin on Transitions from High School

1.13.14 Atty. Katherine Martin on Transitions from High School

Description (optional)

Melissa introduces returning Special Guest Attorney Katherine Martin to go in depth about Transitionins your child from High School . She will answer your questions – should you accept the diploma? going to college? what isa social graduation? other opportunities and when you should prepare!

She is presently the president ofwww.spedwatch.org and is an active advocate for children and families that are navigating through the special education system?

Katherine Martin, J.D. 
kmartinchc@aol.com 
Kathy received her J.D. degree from Suffolk University Law School, and she holds a B.A. in Political Science from Keene State College. She completed the Certificate Program for Women in Politics and Government at Boston College (now part of the UMass Boston McCormack Institute) where she received the Outstanding Alumna Award for Community Service. A member of the Mass Bar, Kathy has worked as a Compliance Officer for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination for the past 24 years and also served as the Commission’s liaison to the statewide council on disabilities for 5 years. She also recently launched a private practice: Exceptional Kids Advocacy. She is President of the Chicopee Public Schools Sped Pac and is a volunteer with the Western Massachusetts Special Olympics. She lives with her son Zachary, and their dog Corduroy, in Chicopee.

NEW SHOW Tomorrow! Two Awesome Guests- on News you can use!

WE are so excited to bring you 2 special guests for tomorrows show! First at 12:30 we will have Jane Wilcox on about the new mandatory Common Core Curriculum ! we will talk about the What controversy and how will it affect our children! Then at 1:30 we will have Jasper Steed on – he is the founder of AutismSmilesllc.org and he will share his inspiration on helping others with Autism through his personal journey as being diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. So tune in LIVE at http://frmedia.org/radio365/popup

 or visit us back here to listen to the show on podcast! exclusively on   www.specialstormradio.com

My Inspiration! My Ethan

My Ethan is now 10 and has Autism. If you want to know why I continue to do my show, it is because of his inspiration of working through his daily struggles and never giving up. If he can work hard to help himself, then why shouldn’t I, work just as hard to help others in making their life a little easier in a day and life with Autism! #knowledge is power!

1.07.14 Special Ed Activism & 14 yr.old IEP transitions with Marion King

1.07.14 Special Ed Activism & 14 yr.old IEP transitions with Marion King

Melissa introduces returning guest Marion King on Special Education Activism and what to expect when your child turns 14 on an IEP.

Marion brings her personal experience and expertise in special education to our world-wide audience . This show will help new and veteran parents understand and navigate the special education system.

BIO: 
Marion King is the mother of two children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum. She has been a SPEDWatch member from its inception in 2006. Her contributions to our efforts include organizing demonstrations, speaking with Governor Deval Patrick at public events, providing support and information to our members via our listserv, and tirelessly spreading the word about our organization and its purpose through her routine daily contacts and occasional speaking engagements. Marion is a full time single mom and long term part time college student working towards her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in women’s and gender studies. She has many years of experience in book keeping and an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, which she was drawn to because of her multitude of experiences with violations of special education laws and regulations.She credits the family support she has received as critical to her ability to make the contributions she has and to fully participate in our mission. She lives with her children in Foxborough, MA.

Listen in today on IEP transitioning for 14 and up with Special Guest Marion King

we will be on LIVE in the USA Eastern Standard time at 12:30 just click here- http://frmedia.org/radio365/popup if you miss our LIVE show it will be available for podcast on this website in a few days so please check back or follow us for updates.. here is a short bio on Marion King from Spedwatch!

Marion King is the mother of two children, one of whom is on the autism spectrum.  She has been a SPEDWatch member from its inception in 2006. Her contributions to our efforts include organizing demonstrations, speaking with Governor Deval Patrick at public events, providing support and information to our members via our listserv, and tirelessly spreading the word about our organization and its purpose through her routine daily contacts and occasional speaking engagements.  Marion is a full time single mom and long term part time college student working towards her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in women’s and gender studies.  She has many years of experience in book keeping and an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, which she was drawn to because of her multitude of experiences with violations of special education laws and regulations.  She credits the family support she has received as critical to her ability to make the contributions she has and to fully participate in our mission.  She lives with her children in Foxborough, MA.